Luke 14:6

KJV

And they could not answer him again to these things.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} they could {G2480} not {G3756} answer {G470} him {G846} again {G470} to {G4314} these things {G5023}.

Complete Jewish Bible

And to these things they could give no answer.

Berean Standard Bible

And they were unable to answer these questions.

American Standard Version

And they could not answer again unto these things.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 14:6 serves as the climactic conclusion to a tense Sabbath encounter, revealing the profound wisdom and unassailable authority of Jesus. Following His healing of a man afflicted with dropsy and a penetrating rhetorical question challenging the legalistic interpretations of Sabbath law, the religious leaders gathered could offer no logical or justifiable rebuttal. This verse succinctly captures their intellectual and spiritual defeat, highlighting Jesus' superior understanding of God's heart for mercy over rigid adherence to external regulations.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is the culmination of a pivotal interaction recounted in [Luke 14:1-6](/luke/14-1-6 "Luke 14:1-6 - Jesus Heals on the Sabbath"). The narrative opens with Jesus being invited to a Sabbath meal at the house of a prominent Pharisee, where He is closely watched by the legal experts and Pharisees. The immediate trigger for the confrontation is the presence of a man with dropsy, whom Jesus deliberately heals. This act, performed on the Sabbath, directly challenges the prevailing legalistic interpretations of the day. Jesus then poses a direct question to His observers: "[Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath day?](/luke/14-3 "Luke 14:3 - Jesus' Question on Sabbath Healing")" When they remain silent, He presses further with a compelling analogy about rescuing an animal from a pit on the Sabbath, found in [Luke 14:5](/luke/14-5 "Luke 14:5 - The Analogy of the Animal in the Pit"). The phrase "these things" in verse 6 directly refers to both the healing act and Jesus' unanswerable rhetorical question, which exposed the hypocrisy and inconsistency of their rigid Sabbath rules. The silence of the Pharisees and lawyers in [Luke 14:6](/luke/14-6 "Luke 14:6 - The Silence of the Opponents") underscores their inability to counter Jesus' wisdom, setting the stage for His subsequent parables on humility and hospitality in [Luke 14:7-24](/luke/14-7-24 "Luke 14:7-24 - Parables of Humility and the Great Supper").

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is a Sabbath meal, a common social and religious occasion in ancient Israel, particularly among the elite. The Pharisees were a prominent Jewish sect known for their strict adherence to the Mosaic Law and their extensive oral traditions, which often added layers of interpretation and regulation to the written law. Their interpretations of Sabbath observance were particularly stringent, prohibiting almost any form of "work," including healing, unless a life was in immediate danger. This cultural backdrop explains why Jesus' healing act was so controversial. The presence of "lawyers" (often scribes or experts in Mosaic Law) further emphasizes the official scrutiny Jesus was under. The analogy of an ox or ass falling into a pit (a common occurrence in an agrarian society) was designed to appeal to their practical common sense and expose the hypocrisy of their rules: they would rescue an animal for economic reasons, but condemn a healing act for humanitarian reasons. This incident reflects the broader conflict between Jesus' compassionate, spirit-of-the-law approach and the Pharisees' legalistic, letter-of-the-law interpretation, a recurring theme throughout the Gospels, as seen in [Matthew 12:1-14](/matthew/12-1-14 "Matthew 12:1-14 - Lord of the Sabbath").

* **Key Themes:** This passage significantly contributes to several key themes in Luke's Gospel and the broader New Testament. Firstly, it highlights **Jesus' Divine Authority and Wisdom**, demonstrating His unparalleled ability to silence His opponents not through force, but through irrefutable logic and truth that exposed their spiritual blindness. His wisdom transcends human understanding and legalistic frameworks, as also seen in [Matthew 7:28-29](/matthew/7-28-29 "Matthew 7:28-29 - Jesus Teaches with Authority"). Secondly, it powerfully critiques **Legalism and Hypocrisy**, exposing the flaw in a system that prioritizes rigid rules over genuine compassion and the true intent of God's Law. The Pharisees' silence is a stark admission of their inconsistency and lack of mercy, reflecting Jesus' frequent condemnation of outward piety without inward righteousness, as articulated in [Matthew 23:23-28](/matthew/23-23-28 "Matthew 23:23-28 - Woes to the Scribes and Pharisees"). Thirdly, the incident clarifies the **True Purpose of the Sabbath**, reaffirming Jesus' teaching that the Sabbath was made for humanity's benefit, not as an oppressive burden. It is lawful and good to do acts of mercy and kindness on the Sabbath, even if it superficially appears to be "work." This aligns with Jesus' declaration in [Mark 2:27-28](/mark/2-27-28 "Mark 2:27-28 - The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath") that "[The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath](/mark/2-27 "Mark 2:27 - Purpose of the Sabbath"): Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath."

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **could (Greek, _ischýō'_):** This word signifies having strength, power, or ability. In this context, it denotes the intellectual and argumentative capacity of the Pharisees and lawyers. Their inability to "ischýō" means they lacked the mental and logical strength to formulate a valid counter-argument. It's not merely that they chose not to answer, but that they were genuinely incapable of doing so, highlighting the unassailable nature of Jesus' reasoning.
* **not (Greek, _ou'_):** This is the absolute negative particle in Greek, indicating a definitive and objective negation. When combined with "ischýō," it emphasizes the complete absence of ability on their part. It's a strong denial of their capacity to respond, reinforcing the finality of their defeat in the debate.
* **answer again (Greek, _antapokrínomai'_):** This compound verb combines "anti" (against) and "apokrinomai" (to answer), meaning "to answer against," "to contradict," or "to dispute." It implies not just a simple reply, but a counter-argument or a rebuttal. The fact that they "could not answer again" means they were utterly unable to offer any logical or scriptural refutation to Jesus' points, signifying their intellectual and theological defeat.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And they could not answer him again":** This phrase powerfully conveys the intellectual and spiritual checkmate Jesus imposed upon His adversaries. Despite their collective legal expertise and their desire to trap Him, the Pharisees and lawyers found themselves utterly without a valid response. Their inability to "answer against" Jesus' reasoning signifies that His arguments were not merely clever, but fundamentally true and rooted in a deeper understanding of God's will than their own rigid interpretations. It highlights their defeat and Jesus' unassailable wisdom.
* **"to these things":** This refers directly to the immediate context: Jesus' healing of the man with dropsy on the Sabbath and, more specifically, His rhetorical question in [Luke 14:5](/luke/14-5 "Luke 14:5 - The Analogy of the Animal in the Pit") about rescuing an animal from a pit on the Sabbath. Jesus' question exposed the glaring inconsistency in their legalistic framework: they would readily perform "work" to save an animal (an economic asset) but condemned an act of mercy to save a human life. Their silence was an admission that their rules were arbitrary and lacked genuine compassion, failing to align with the spirit of the Law.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 14:6 effectively employs several literary devices. The **Silence** of the Pharisees and lawyers is a potent device, speaking volumes about their inability to refute Jesus. It functions as an admission of defeat, highlighting the unassailable nature of Jesus' logic and authority. This silence is also deeply **Ironic**, as these religious leaders, who prided themselves on their knowledge of the Law and their ability to debate, are rendered speechless by a carpenter from Nazareth. Furthermore, the entire preceding interaction, culminating in this verse, serves as a form of **Contrast**, pitting Jesus' compassionate, spirit-of-the-law approach against the Pharisees' rigid, letter-of-the-law legalism. The verse underscores the **Rhetorical Power** of Jesus' question in [Luke 14:5](/luke/14-5 "Luke 14:5 - The Analogy of the Animal in the Pit"), which was so perfectly framed that it left no room for a legitimate counter-argument, forcing their silence.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 14:6 underscores a fundamental theological truth: God's Law, properly understood, is not a burden of arbitrary rules but a guide for life rooted in love, mercy, and justice. Jesus consistently challenged the prevailing legalism of His day, demonstrating that true righteousness goes beyond outward observance to encompass the heart's disposition and acts of compassion. The inability of the Pharisees to answer Him reveals their spiritual blindness to the true intent of the Sabbath and, by extension, the entire Law. Their silence is a testament to the divine wisdom of Jesus, which cuts through human tradition and exposes hypocrisy, calling all to a deeper, more merciful understanding of God's will.

* [Matthew 22:46](/matthew/22-46 "Matthew 22:46 - No One Could Answer Him")
* [Acts 6:10](/acts/6-10 "Acts 6:10 - Stephen's Wisdom")
* [Titus 1:9](/titus/1-9 "Titus 1:9 - Able to Convince Opponents")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The silence of the religious leaders in Luke 14:6 serves as a powerful mirror for believers today, prompting us to examine our own hearts and practices. Are we, like the Pharisees, sometimes more concerned with external adherence to rules or traditions than with embodying the compassionate heart of God? This verse challenges us to prioritize mercy over rigid legalism, to seek genuine understanding of God's Word over superficial interpretations, and to allow Christ's wisdom to shape our actions and attitudes. It reminds us that true faith is not merely about what we avoid doing, but about what we actively do in love and service to others, especially those in need. When we encounter situations that test our understanding of God's commands, we are called to lean into the spirit of the Law—love God and love neighbor—rather than getting entangled in human-made regulations that might obscure divine compassion.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be prioritizing rigid rules or traditions over genuine compassion and mercy?**
* **How does Jesus' example in this passage challenge my understanding of what it means to truly honor God's commands?**
* **Am I willing to allow God's wisdom to expose inconsistencies in my own thinking or practices, even if it means confronting long-held beliefs?**
* **How can I better embody the spirit of the Sabbath—a day of rest and doing good—in my daily life, beyond mere cessation of work?**

### FAQ

**Why were the Pharisees and lawyers unable to answer Jesus?**

Answer: They were unable to answer because Jesus' arguments, particularly His rhetorical question about rescuing an animal from a pit on the Sabbath (found in [Luke 14:5](/luke/14-5 "Luke 14:5 - The Analogy of the Animal in the Pit")), exposed a profound inconsistency and hypocrisy in their legalistic interpretations of the Sabbath law. They would readily perform "work" to save an animal (an economic asset) on the Sabbath, but condemned Jesus for healing a human being (an act of pure compassion). Their silence was an admission that their rules were arbitrary, lacked genuine mercy, and could not stand against the unassailable logic and divine wisdom of Jesus, who consistently prioritized human need and God's compassionate heart over rigid, man-made traditions.

**What is the significance of their silence?**

Answer: The silence of the Pharisees and lawyers is highly significant. It represents their intellectual and spiritual defeat. It was not merely a lack of words, but a complete inability to formulate a valid counter-argument or a justifiable defense of their position. In a culture where public debate and rhetorical skill were highly valued, their silence indicated that Jesus had presented an irrefutable truth that left them without a response. This highlights Jesus' supreme authority and wisdom, demonstrating that His understanding of God's Law superseded their human traditions. Their silence also underscores the spiritual blindness that can result from legalism, where adherence to the letter of the law overshadows the spirit of love and mercy, a theme Jesus often addressed, as seen in [Matthew 23:1-36](/matthew/23-1-36 "Matthew 23 - Woes to the Scribes and Pharisees").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 14:6, with its depiction of Jesus silencing His legalistic opponents, powerfully foreshadows His ultimate fulfillment of the Law and His role as the compassionate Lord. The Pharisees' inability to answer Him underscores the inadequacy of a system based purely on human interpretation and external adherence. Jesus, as the incarnate Word, perfectly embodies the spirit of the Law, revealing that God's heart is for mercy and redemption, not rigid regulation. His healing on the Sabbath, and the subsequent silence of His accusers, points to His authority over all creation, including the Sabbath itself, as declared in [Mark 2:28](/mark/2-28 "Mark 2:28 - The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath"): "[The Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath](/mark/2-28 "Mark 2:28 - The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath)." This incident anticipates His greater work of healing humanity from the spiritual sickness of sin, a work that transcends all human laws and traditions. Just as He brought physical healing and liberation from a debilitating illness on the Sabbath, He offers spiritual liberation and eternal life through His atoning sacrifice, fulfilling the law's demands and providing the ultimate rest for our souls, as invited in [Matthew 11:28-30](/matthew/11-28-30 "Matthew 11:28-30 - Come to Me, All Who Are Weary"). His victory over the arguments of His adversaries here prefigures His ultimate triumph over sin, death, and the law's condemnation through His resurrection, offering a righteousness that surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees ([Matthew 5:20](/matthew/5-20 "Matthew 5:20 - Righteousness Exceeding the Scribes and Pharisees")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Luke 20:40

And after that they durst not ask him any [question at all].

Acts 6:10

And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake.

Luke 13:17

And when he had said these things, all his adversaries were ashamed: and all the people rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by him.

Luke 20:26

And they could not take hold of his words before the people: and they marvelled at his answer, and held their peace.

Matthew 22:46

And no man was able to answer him a word, neither durst any [man] from that day forth ask him any more [questions].

Luke 21:15

For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.