Luke 20:26
What does Luke 20:26 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 20:26 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 20:26 means
The spies were completely defeated by Jesus' masterful reply. They were "not able to take hold of the saying before the people," meaning they could not find any fault in His words that would allow them to accuse Him before the crowd or the Roman governor. They were left speechless and amazed at His wisdom, forced to hold their peace. This moment demonstrates Jesus' unparalleled ability to discern evil intent and respond with divine wisdom, leaving His adversaries disarmed and shamed. Their trap, intended to incriminate Him, instead revealed His unparalleled spiritual and intellectual authority.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And they were not able to take hold of the saying before the people: and they marvelled at his answer, and held their peace.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And they could not take hold of his words before the people: and they marvelled at his answer, and held their peace.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And they were not able to take hold of the saying before the people: and they marvelled at his answer, and held their peace.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And they were not able to get anything from these words before the people: but they were full of wonder at his answer, and said nothing.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and they were not able to take hold on his saying before the people, and having wondered at his answer, they were silent.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And they could not reprehend his word before the people: and wondering at his answer, they held their peace.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And they were not able to take hold of him in [his] expressions before the people, and, wondering at his answer, they were silent.
Context
This verse encapsulates the complete defeat of the spies. Their inability to trap Jesus and their subsequent silence immediately follows Jesus' masterful response regarding Caesar and God. This outcome closes the confrontation with the Pharisees and Herodians, setting the stage for a new group of challengers, the Sadducees, who will approach Jesus with a different kind of theological trap about the resurrection.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Matthew 22:12
and he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding-garment? And he was speechless.
- Luke 13:17
And as he said these things, all his adversaries were put to shame: and all the multitude rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by him.
- Romans 3:19
Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it speaketh to them that are under the law; that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may be brought under the judgment of God:
- Matthew 22:34
But the Pharisees, when they heard that he had put the Sadducees to silence, gathered themselves together.
- Luke 20:20
And they watched him, and sent forth spies, who feigned themselves to be righteous, that they might take hold of his speech, so as to deliver him up to the rule and to the authority of the governor.
- Proverbs 26:4
Answer not a fool according to his folly, Lest thou also be like unto him.
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