Luke 20:40

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} after that {G3765} they durst {G5111} not {G3765} ask {G1905} him {G846} any {G3762} question at all.

Complete Jewish Bible

For they no longer dared put to him a sh’eilah.

Berean Standard Bible

And they did not dare to question Him any further.

American Standard Version

For they durst not any more ask him any question.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 20:40 marks a decisive turning point in Jesus's public ministry, signifying the complete and utter defeat of His religious adversaries in their attempts to trap or discredit Him through intellectual questioning. Following a series of masterfully answered challenges from various Jewish factions, this verse highlights the profound impact of Jesus's divine wisdom and authority, leaving His opponents utterly silenced and without the courage to pose any further inquiries.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as the culmination of a series of intense and public confrontations between Jesus and the religious authorities in the Temple courts, specifically detailed in [Luke 20](/luke/20 "Luke 20 - Jesus Confronts Religious Leaders"). Prior to this, Jesus had already asserted His authority by clearing the Temple (Luke 19:45-48) and then faced direct challenges regarding the source of His authority (Luke 20:1-8). He then exposed their true intentions through the parable of the wicked tenants (Luke 20:9-19). The immediate preceding verses recount Jesus's brilliant responses to two distinct traps: first, the question from the chief priests and scribes about paying taxes to Caesar, which He deftly answered by declaring, "Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar's, and unto God the things which be God's" ([Luke 20:25](/luke/20-25 "Luke 20:25 - Render unto Caesar")); and second, the Sadducees' intricate hypothetical question designed to disprove the resurrection, which Jesus refuted with profound theological insight, concluding that God "is not a God of the dead, but of the living: for all live unto him" ([Luke 20:38](/luke/20-38 "Luke 20:38 - God of the Living")). The scribes, impressed by His answer to the Sadducees, even acknowledged, "Master, thou hast well said" ([Luke 20:39](/luke/20-39 "Luke 20:39 - Scribes' Approval")). This verse, [Luke 20:40](/luke/20-40 "Luke 20:40 - They Durst Not Ask Him Any Question"), therefore acts as a conclusive statement, demonstrating that Jesus had so thoroughly outmaneuvered and exposed His opponents that they simply had no more questions to ask.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting for these confrontations is the Temple in Jerusalem during the final week before Jesus's crucifixion, likely during the Passover festival, a time when Jerusalem was teeming with pilgrims and religious fervor was high. The various groups challenging Jesus—the chief priests, scribes, Pharisees, and Sadducees—represented the established religious and political powers of the day. The chief priests and scribes were the religious elite, guardians of the Law and Temple traditions. The Pharisees were a popular lay movement known for their strict adherence to the Law and oral traditions, believing in the resurrection and angels. The Sadducees, on the other hand, were a priestly aristocracy who accepted only the Pentateuch (the first five books of Moses) as authoritative and famously denied the resurrection, angels, and spirits. Each group had a vested interest in discrediting Jesus, whose growing popularity and unconventional teachings threatened their authority and interpretation of Judaism. Their questions were not genuine inquiries but calculated attempts to trap Jesus, either by forcing Him to contradict Roman law (taxes) or Jewish law/tradition (resurrection), thereby providing grounds for His arrest or undermining His credibility with the crowds. The public nature of these debates further amplified the stakes, as Jesus's responses were heard by many.
* **Key Themes:** [Luke 20](/luke/20 "Luke 20 - Jesus's Authority Challenged") powerfully highlights several key themes. Foremost is **Jesus's Unchallengeable Authority and Divine Wisdom**. His responses consistently transcend human cunning, revealing a profound understanding of God's Law and purposes that far surpasses the limited, often self-serving, interpretations of His opponents. This wisdom is rooted in His divine nature, demonstrating that He speaks with the authority of God Himself, as evidenced by His ability to silence even the most learned and powerful religious leaders. Another crucial theme is the **Escalating Opposition and the Futility of Human Resistance to Divine Truth**. Despite their concerted efforts, the religious leaders are utterly defeated, illustrating that human schemes and intellectual traps cannot ultimately prevail against God's truth incarnate. This verse marks a shift from open debate to a more sinister, conspiratorial form of opposition, as the leaders realize they cannot defeat Jesus intellectually and must resort to other means (e.g., [Luke 22:1-6](/luke/22-1-6 "Luke 22:1-6 - Conspiracy to Kill Jesus")). Finally, the chapter underscores the **Contrast Between True Piety and Hypocrisy**. Jesus consistently exposes the hidden motives and spiritual blindness of His interrogators, revealing that their questions stem not from a genuine desire for truth but from envy, fear, and a determination to maintain their own power and prestige.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **durst (Greek, _tolmáō_):** This verb signifies 'to venture,' 'to dare,' or 'to be courageous.' In the context of "durst not," it conveys a complete lack of courage or boldness. The religious leaders, who had previously been audacious in their challenges, were now utterly intimidated. Their intellectual and spiritual resources were exhausted, and they no longer possessed the nerve to confront Jesus, knowing that any further attempt would only lead to greater humiliation and exposure of their own spiritual bankruptcy.
* **ask (Greek, _eperōtáō_):** This word means 'to ask for,' 'to inquire,' or 'to seek.' It highlights the specific method of attack employed by Jesus's opponents—interrogation. They sought to trap Him with questions, but Jesus turned their own method against them, using His answers to expose their folly. The cessation of their asking signifies the complete failure of their strategy.
* **any (Greek, _oudeís_):** This pronoun means 'not even one,' 'none,' 'nobody,' or 'nothing.' When combined with "question at all," it emphasizes the absolute finality of their silence. It was not merely that they ran out of *good* questions, but that they had *no* questions left, signifying a total intellectual and spiritual surrender in the face of Jesus's overwhelming wisdom.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And after that":** This phrase serves as a temporal and consequential marker, indicating that the events described are a direct result of the preceding confrontations. It signals the culmination of the series of interrogations Jesus endured in the Temple, emphasizing that His triumph over His adversaries was complete and undeniable.
* **"they durst not ask him":** This clause reveals the psychological and spiritual state of Jesus's opponents. The word "durst" (from the Old English "dare") implies a lack of courage or boldness. Having been repeatedly outsmarted and publicly humiliated, the religious leaders lost their nerve. They were not merely out of questions; they were afraid to ask more, knowing that any further attempt would only lead to greater personal and public embarrassment.
* **"any [question at all]":** This concluding phrase underscores the absolute and comprehensive nature of their silence. It was not just a temporary pause or a lack of *specific* questions, but a complete cessation of all interrogation attempts. Jesus had so thoroughly defeated their intellectual and theological challenges that they were left with literally nothing more to ask.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 20:40, though concise, effectively employs several literary devices. **Irony** is prominent, as the highly educated and authoritative religious leaders, who prided themselves on their knowledge of the Law, are utterly silenced by Jesus, whom they considered a mere Galilean carpenter. This reversal of expectations underscores Jesus's divine wisdom. The phrase "durst not ask him any [question at all]" also functions as a form of **Litotes** (a figure of speech that employs an understatement by using double negatives or a single negative to express an affirmative), subtly emphasizing the profound impact Jesus had. Instead of stating they were utterly defeated or terrified, it states they "durst not ask," which understates the depth of their intimidation and intellectual vanquishment. Furthermore, the verse acts as a **Climax** to the series of intellectual duels in [Luke 20](/luke/20 "Luke 20 - Jesus's Confrontations"), marking the peak of Jesus's public triumph over His opponents' intellectual traps before the narrative shifts to their conspiracy to kill Him.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 20:40 powerfully affirms Jesus's divine nature and unparalleled wisdom, demonstrating that He is the very embodiment of God's truth. His ability to silence the most learned and cunning religious leaders of His day underscores His authority as the Son of God, the ultimate revealer of divine mysteries. This is not merely a display of human cleverness but a manifestation of the wisdom that existed with God from the beginning, through whom all things were made. The theological implication is profound: human wisdom, even that steeped in religious tradition, is ultimately no match for the divine wisdom of Christ. This verse serves as a testament to the fact that God's truth cannot be trapped, manipulated, or defeated by human argumentation or malicious intent. It highlights the futility of opposing God's plan and the inevitable triumph of divine revelation over human rebellion and spiritual blindness.

* [Matthew 22:46](/matthew/22-46 "Matthew 22:46 - No One Dared Ask Him Questions")
* [Mark 12:34](/mark/12-34 "Mark 12:34 - No One Dared Question Him")
* [John 7:46](/john/7-46 "John 7:46 - Never Man Spake Like This Man")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 20:40 offers profound insights for contemporary believers. It reminds us that divine truth, as embodied in Jesus Christ, is ultimately unassailable. Just as Jesus silenced His opponents, the truth of God's Word has the power to expose error, dismantle false arguments, and bring clarity amidst confusion. For us, this should foster a deep trust in Christ's wisdom as the ultimate source of understanding and guidance in a world often filled with conflicting ideologies and deceptive narratives. When we approach Scripture and life's challenges with humility and a genuine desire to know God's truth, we open ourselves to divine illumination rather than intellectual traps. Conversely, if we approach spiritual matters with a critical, cynical, or self-serving agenda, we risk being silenced by the very truth we seek to challenge. This verse encourages us to submit to the authority of Christ's teaching, recognizing that His wisdom far surpasses our own, and to allow His truth to shape our understanding and actions, rather than attempting to fit Him into our preconceived notions. It also challenges us to consider our own motives when engaging in spiritual discussions: are we genuinely seeking truth, or are we attempting to assert our own opinions or win an argument?

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Jesus's unchallengeable wisdom in this verse impact my trust in His teachings today?**
* **In what areas of my life or understanding do I need to surrender my own "questions" or doubts to Christ's ultimate authority?**
* **How can I approach difficult theological questions or challenges to my faith with both intellectual honesty and humble reliance on Christ's wisdom, rather than defensiveness or contention?**

### FAQ

**Why did the religious leaders stop asking Jesus questions after this incident?**

Answer: The religious leaders ceased questioning Jesus not merely because they ran out of questions, but because they ran out of courage and viable strategies. Jesus had consistently and publicly exposed their ignorance, hypocrisy, and malicious intent with His profound and unassailable answers. Each attempt to trap Him backfired, humiliating them before the crowds and solidifying His authority. For instance, after the Sadducees' question about the resurrection, Jesus's answer was so powerful that some of the scribes, their theological rivals, even applauded Him ([Luke 20:39](/luke/20-39 "Luke 20:39 - Scribes' Approval")). Their intellectual and public standing was severely undermined, leaving them with no further recourse in open debate. Their cessation of questions marked a tactical defeat, shifting their approach from public interrogation to private conspiracy to kill Him.

**What was the significance of the Sadducees' question about the resurrection that immediately preceded this verse?**

Answer: The Sadducees' question (Luke 20:27-39) was highly significant because it struck at the core of their theological distinctives. Unlike the Pharisees, the Sadducees denied the resurrection of the dead, the existence of angels, and spirits. Their elaborate hypothetical scenario about a woman married to seven brothers was a common rabbinic riddle designed to expose the supposed absurdity of resurrection. By asking this, they aimed to publicly discredit Jesus and the concept of resurrection, aligning Him with what they considered a flawed theology. Jesus's response was brilliant because He not only affirmed the resurrection but did so by appealing to the Pentateuch (specifically [Exodus 3:6](/exodus/3-6 "Exodus 3:6 - God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob")), which was the only part of the Old Testament they fully accepted as authoritative. He demonstrated that God's declaration "I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob" implies a continuing relationship with those who have died, thus proving that they are alive to God. This answer utterly silenced the Sadducees on their own terms, proving their interpretation of Scripture to be flawed and their understanding of God's power limited.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 20:40, while a historical account of Jesus's triumph over His adversaries, points profoundly to His Christ-centered fulfillment as the very embodiment of divine wisdom and truth. Jesus is not merely a wise teacher; He is the Logos, the eternal Word of God, through whom all things were made ([John 1:1-3](/john/1-1-3 "John 1:1-3 - The Word Was God")). His ability to silence every human challenge is a testament to the fact that "in Him are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" ([Colossians 2:3](/colossians/2-3 "Colossians 2:3 - All Wisdom in Christ")). This verse foreshadows His ultimate victory over all opposing powers—not just intellectual adversaries, but the spiritual forces of darkness, sin, and death. The wisdom displayed here is the same wisdom by which God governs the universe and by which He accomplished salvation through the cross. Just as His words silenced His earthly opponents, His word, spoken from the cross and through the resurrection, ultimately silences the accusations of the law and the power of death ([Romans 8:31-39](/romans/8-31-39 "Romans 8:31-39 - God Is For Us")). He is the one who "spoke as one having authority, and not as the scribes" ([Matthew 7:29](/matthew/7-29 "Matthew 7:29 - Jesus Teaches with Authority")), and His authority remains unchallenged. Ultimately, Luke 20:40 anticipates the day when "every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord" ([Philippians 2:10-11](/philippians/2-10-11 "Philippians 2:10-11 - Every Knee Shall Bow")), for no one will "durst ask him any question at all" in the presence of His glorious, unassailable truth.

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

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].

Mark 12:34

And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, he said unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God. And no man after that durst ask him [any question].

Proverbs 26:5

Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.