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.

And {G2532} they could {G2480} not {G3756} take hold {G1949} of his {G846} words {G4487} before {G1726} the people {G2992}: and {G2532} they marvelled {G2296} at {G1909} his {G846} answer {G612}, and held their peace {G4601}.

They were unable to trap him by anything he said publicly; indeed, amazed at his answer, they fell silent.

And they were unable to trap Him in His words before the people; and amazed at His answer, they fell silent.

And they were not able to take hold of the saying before the people: and they marvelled at his answer, and held their peace.

Luke 20:26 concludes a pivotal exchange between Jesus and His religious adversaries, highlighting His unparalleled wisdom and their inability to trap Him.

Context

This verse immediately follows Jesus's famous response to a deceptive question posed by spies sent by the chief priests and scribes. Their aim was to "take hold of his words" so they could deliver Him to the Roman governor. They asked if it was lawful for Jews to pay taxes to Caesar, a question designed to force Jesus into a politically dangerous answer: either defy Roman authority or alienate the Jewish people. Jesus, seeing their craftiness, asked for a denarius and, pointing to Caesar's image on the coin, declared, "Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar's, and unto God the things which be God's."

Luke 20:26 describes the profound impact of this answer: His opponents were utterly disarmed. They could not use His words against Him in front of the people, nor could they find fault in His profound and balanced statement. This outcome is also recounted in parallel accounts in Matthew 22:22 and Mark 12:17.

Key Themes

  • Divine Wisdom vs. Human Cunning: The verse powerfully illustrates Jesus's divine wisdom, which consistently outmaneuvered the most cunning traps laid by His enemies. Their human schemes were no match for His spiritual insight and perfect discernment.
  • Unassailable Truth: Jesus's answer was so perfectly balanced and truthful that it left no room for accusation. It simultaneously affirmed civic duty and spiritual obligation, demonstrating that these are not necessarily contradictory.
  • Authority and Silence of Opposition: The fact that they "marvelled at his answer, and held their peace" underscores Jesus's authority. His words were not just clever; they carried an undeniable truth that silenced even His most vocal opponents, leaving them speechless and defeated. This mirrors other instances where Jesus's teaching left people astonished, such as in Matthew 7:28.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "could not take hold of his words" translates the Greek epilabesthai autou logou, which means they could not "seize" or "lay hold of" His speech in a way that would incriminate Him. It implies their utter failure to find a legal or popular charge. The word "marvelled" (Greek: ethaumasan) signifies profound astonishment or amazement, indicating the depth of their surprise at His brilliant evasion of their trap. "Held their peace" (Greek: esigesan) means they became completely silent, unable to offer a rebuttal or continue their line of questioning, signifying their complete intellectual defeat.

Practical Application

Luke 20:26 offers timeless lessons for believers today:

  • Trust in God's Wisdom: When faced with difficult questions, dilemmas, or hostile interrogations, we can trust that God provides wisdom to navigate complex situations. Jesus's example encourages us to seek divine guidance rather than relying solely on human cleverness.
  • Speak Truth with Discernment: Like Jesus, we are called to speak truth, but with wisdom and discernment, especially in challenging environments. Not every question requires a direct, unnuanced answer; sometimes, a wise response can disarm an opponent and reveal a deeper truth.
  • Living a Balanced Life: Jesus's teaching to render to Caesar and to God reminds us of our dual citizenship – in earthly society and in God's Kingdom. We are called to fulfill our civic duties while prioritizing our ultimate allegiance to God.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Luke 20:20

    ¶ And they watched [him], and sent forth spies, which should feign themselves just men, that they might take hold of his words, that so they might deliver him unto the power and authority of the governor.

  • Job 5:12

    He disappointeth the devices of the crafty, so that their hands cannot perform [their] enterprise.

  • Job 5:13

    He taketh the wise in their own craftiness: and the counsel of the froward is carried headlong.

  • 2 Timothy 3:8

    Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.

  • 2 Timothy 3:9

    But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all [men], as theirs also was.

  • Matthew 22:34

    ¶ But when the Pharisees had heard that he had put the Sadducees to silence, they were gathered together.

  • 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.

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