Matthew 22:46

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} no man {G3762} was able {G1410} to answer {G611} him {G846} a word {G3056}, neither {G3761} durst {G5111} any {G5100} man from {G575} that {G1565} day {G2250} forth ask {G1905} him {G846} any more {G3765} questions.

Complete Jewish Bible

No one could think of anything to say in reply; and from that day on, no one dared put to him another sh'eilah.

Berean Standard Bible

No one was able to answer a word, and from that day on no one dared to question Him any further.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 22:46 serves as the climactic conclusion to a series of intense theological and political interrogations directed at Jesus by various Jewish religious factions in Jerusalem. This verse powerfully underscores Jesus' unparalleled wisdom and divine authority, demonstrating His intellectual and spiritual supremacy by completely silencing His adversaries, who were left without a retort and dared not challenge Him further. It marks a definitive victory for Jesus in the public debates, establishing His unassailable position as the ultimate arbiter of truth.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is the culmination of a highly charged series of confrontations between Jesus and the religious authorities during the final days leading up to His crucifixion. Prior to this, Jesus had masterfully parried three distinct traps set by His opponents. First, the Pharisees and Herodians attempted to ensnare Him with a politically charged question about paying [taxes to Caesar](/matthew/22-15-22 "Matthew 22:15-22 - Tribute to Caesar"). Jesus' profound response, "Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's," left them astonished. Next, the Sadducees, who denied the resurrection, presented a complex hypothetical scenario about marriage in the afterlife, seeking to discredit the concept of [resurrection](/matthew/22-23-33 "Matthew 22:23-33 - The Sadducees and the Resurrection"). Jesus refuted them by appealing to the Scriptures and the power of God. After silencing these groups, Jesus proactively turned the tables, posing His own question to the Pharisees regarding the Messiah's identity: how could the Messiah be both [David's Son and David's Lord](/matthew/22-41-45 "Matthew 22:41-45 - Jesus Questions the Pharisees About the Messiah"), referencing Psalm 110:1. This final, unanswerable question exposed their theological limitations and inability to grasp the true nature of the Christ, leading directly to the decisive silence described in Matthew 22:46.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting for these debates is Jerusalem, likely within the Temple precincts, during the Passover week—a time of heightened religious and political tension. The various groups challenging Jesus represented the spectrum of Jewish leadership: the Pharisees, known for their strict adherence to the Law and oral traditions, and their belief in the resurrection; the Sadducees, an aristocratic priestly class who controlled the Temple and rejected the resurrection, angels, and spirits; and the Herodians, a political faction supportive of Herod's rule and, by extension, Roman authority. Public debates and rabbinic disputations were common forms of intellectual and theological engagement in this period. These challenges were not merely academic exercises but attempts to discredit Jesus in the eyes of the populace and find grounds for His arrest, as His popularity and teachings threatened their established authority and interpretations of the Law. The inability of these learned leaders to answer Jesus' question or to further challenge Him publicly was a profound humiliation, signifying a loss of face and authority within their cultural context.
* **Key Themes:** Matthew 22:46 powerfully reinforces several core themes developed throughout Matthew's Gospel. Firstly, it highlights **Jesus' Unmatched Wisdom and Authority**. His responses consistently demonstrate a divine insight that transcends human cunning, revealing Him as the ultimate teacher whose words carry inherent power, as seen in the crowds' reaction to His teaching in the [Sermon on the Mount](/matthew/7-28-29 "Matthew 7:28-29 - Jesus Teaches with Authority"). Secondly, the verse underscores **The Futility of Human Opposition to Divine Truth**. The combined intellectual and religious might of the Pharisees, Sadducees, and Herodians proved utterly ineffective against Jesus, illustrating that human attempts to trap or discredit God's truth are ultimately vain. This theme resonates with the broader narrative of God's sovereignty over human plans. Finally, the preceding dialogue, culminating in this verse, brings to the forefront **The True Nature of the Messiah**. Jesus' question about the Messiah being both David's Son and Lord was designed to reveal the Pharisees' incomplete understanding of the Christ's divine and human natures, a central theological truth that Matthew consistently presents, emphasizing Jesus as [Immanuel](/matthew/1-23 "Matthew 1:23 - Immanuel: God With Us")—God with us.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **able (Greek, _dýnamai'_):** From G1410, this word signifies the capacity or power to do something, to be possible. In this context, it emphasizes the utter lack of ability on the part of Jesus' opponents to formulate a response. It wasn't merely that they didn't have an answer readily available; they were rendered entirely incapable of constructing one, highlighting the unassailable nature of Jesus' argument and the profound intellectual and spiritual chasm between Him and His challengers.
* **word (Greek, _lógos'_):** From G3056, this term can refer to something said, a topic, reasoning, or even the Divine Expression (Christ Himself, as in John). Here, "a word" signifies even the smallest unit of discourse or argument. The fact that "no man was able to answer him a word" means they could not offer any counter-argument, any defense, or any further question. This silence is a testament to the comprehensive and irrefutable nature of Jesus' final question and His preceding answers.
* **durst (Greek, _tolmáō'_):** From G5111, this archaic word means "dared" or "ventured," implying courage or audacity. The use of "durst" indicates that Jesus' opponents were not only intellectually stumped but also psychologically intimidated. They lacked the boldness or courage to continue challenging Him. This suggests a profound shift from their initial aggressive questioning to a state of complete submission, albeit a reluctant one, to Jesus' overwhelming authority.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And no man was able to answer him a word":** This clause emphatically states the immediate consequence of Jesus' final question about the Messiah's identity (Matthew 22:41-45). The collective intellectual and theological might of the Pharisees, Sadducees, and Herodians, who had previously attempted to trap Jesus, was completely neutralized. They found themselves utterly incapable of formulating any response, no matter how brief or simple. This inability was not due to a lack of knowledge in general, but specifically to their spiritual blindness regarding the true nature of the Messiah, which Jesus' question exposed. Their silence signified their intellectual defeat and the undeniable superiority of Jesus' wisdom.
* **"neither durst any [man] from that day forth ask him any more [questions].":** This second clause describes the lasting impact of this decisive encounter. The word "durst" (from the Greek _tolmáō_) conveys that they not only lacked an answer but also lost the courage or audacity to challenge Jesus again publicly. This marked a turning point in their open confrontations with Him. From that day forward, the religious leaders ceased their direct, public interrogations, recognizing the futility and danger of further attempts to ensnare Him. This cessation of questioning underscores Jesus' unassailable authority and the profound respect (even if grudging) His wisdom commanded, effectively ending the period of public debate and shifting the focus to plots for His arrest and execution.

#### Literary Devices
Matthew 22:46 employs several powerful literary devices. The verse utilizes **Hyperbole** to emphasize the absolute nature of Jesus' victory; while it's possible individuals might have privately harbored questions, the public cessation of challenges is presented as total. This hyperbole underscores the profound impact Jesus had. There is also a strong element of **Irony** at play. The religious leaders, who prided themselves on their scriptural knowledge and sought to trap Jesus, are themselves trapped and silenced by His superior understanding of the very scriptures they claimed to master. Their intellectual pride leads to their public humiliation. The **Silence** of the opponents itself functions as a powerful **Symbol**, representing not just a lack of words, but a complete intellectual and spiritual defeat. It symbolizes the triumph of divine truth over human cunning and the silencing of all opposition before the wisdom of God. Finally, the phrase "from that day forth" acts as a form of **Foreshadowing**, signaling a shift in the narrative. The period of public debate is over, and the focus will now move towards the religious leaders' more sinister plots to eliminate Jesus, recognizing that they cannot defeat Him through argument.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 22:46 is a profound theological statement on the absolute authority and divine wisdom of Jesus Christ. It demonstrates that no human intellect, no matter how learned or cunning, can ultimately contend with the truth embodied in God's Son. This silencing of His opponents is not merely a display of intellectual prowess but a revelation of Jesus' inherent divinity and His unique position as the incarnate Word of God. It affirms that all wisdom and knowledge are ultimately found in Him, and that His truth is unassailable. The inability of the religious leaders to answer or question Him further highlights their spiritual blindness and resistance to the light, even when confronted with undeniable evidence of His divine nature. This verse serves as a powerful reminder that God's truth will always prevail, and attempts to suppress or discredit it are ultimately futile.

* [Isaiah 55:11](/isaiah/55-11 "Isaiah 55:11 - God's Word Accomplishes Its Purpose")
* [John 1:1-3](/john/1-1-3 "John 1:1-3 - The Word Was God")
* [1 Corinthians 1:25](/1_corinthians/1-25 "1 Corinthians 1:25 - The Foolishness of God is Wiser Than Human Wisdom")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 22:46 offers profound insights for believers today, reinforcing the absolute trustworthiness of Jesus Christ as the source of all wisdom and truth. In a world filled with conflicting ideologies, complex questions, and challenges to faith, this verse reminds us that Jesus holds the ultimate answers. We are encouraged to approach Him with humility, recognizing that His understanding transcends all human knowledge and reasoning. Just as His opponents were silenced by His divine insight, we can find peace and clarity in His teachings, knowing that His Word is unassailable. This verse also serves as a powerful encouragement when our faith is challenged; we can rest assured that no human argument, no matter how sophisticated, can ultimately overturn the divine truth revealed in Christ. Our call is not to win debates through human cleverness, but to humbly receive and live out the profound truths of God's Word, trusting in the One who silenced all opposition.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Jesus' ability to silence His opponents encourage your trust in His wisdom and authority in your own life?**
* **In what areas of your life or faith are you tempted to rely on human reasoning over divine truth, and how might this verse challenge that tendency?**
* **What does the "silence" of Jesus' opponents teach us about the futility of arguing against God's revealed truth?**

### FAQ
**Why did Jesus' opponents stop asking questions after this encounter?**

Answer: Jesus' opponents stopped asking questions because His final question about the Messiah's identity (Matthew 22:41-45) exposed their theological limitations and inability to reconcile the Messiah's divine and human natures. They were not only intellectually stumped but also publicly humiliated. The KJV's "neither durst any [man]" implies they lost the courage and audacity to challenge Him further. They realized the futility of their attempts to trap Him through debate, as every challenge only served to highlight His superior wisdom and authority. This marked a strategic shift from public disputation to private plotting for His arrest and execution.

**What was the significance of Jesus' question about David's Son and Lord?**

Answer: Jesus' question, "What think ye of Christ? whose son is he?" and His follow-up about David calling the Messiah "Lord" (Matthew 22:41-45) was profoundly significant. It directly challenged the Pharisees' understanding of the Messiah as merely a human descendant of David, a political king. By quoting [Psalm 110:1](/psalms/110-1 "Psalm 110:1 - The Lord Says to My Lord"), where David refers to the Messiah as "my Lord," Jesus compelled them to consider the Messiah's divine nature and pre-existence. The question revealed that the Messiah must be both fully human (Son of David) and fully divine (Lord of David), a truth they could not reconcile. This exposed their spiritual blindness to Jesus' true identity as the God-man, the Christ.

**Does this verse mean we shouldn't ask questions about faith or seek understanding?**

Answer: No, this verse does not discourage genuine inquiry or seeking deeper understanding of faith. Instead, it highlights the futility of questions asked with malicious intent, designed to trap or discredit, rather than to learn. Jesus Himself encouraged sincere questioning and seeking truth (e.g., [Matthew 7:7](/matthew/7-7 "Matthew 7:7 - Ask, Seek, Knock")). The silence of His opponents in Matthew 22:46 was a result of their pride, their unwillingness to accept His divine authority, and their inability to answer a question that revealed their own theological shortcomings. Believers are encouraged to ask questions with a humble heart, seeking to grow in wisdom and knowledge of God.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 22:46, with its depiction of Jesus silencing all opposition, powerfully foreshadows His ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment. This moment of intellectual triumph in the Temple is a microcosm of Jesus' complete victory over all the powers of darkness and human rebellion. Just as He silenced the cunning questions of the religious leaders, He would ultimately silence the accusations of sin, the power of death, and the dominion of Satan through His sacrificial death and glorious resurrection. He is the **Logos**, the divine Word (as seen in [John 1:1-3](/john/1-1-3 "John 1:1-3 - The Word Was God")), in whom are "hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" ([Colossians 2:3](/colossians/2-3 "Colossians 2:3 - In Christ are Hidden All Treasures of Wisdom")). His unassailable wisdom demonstrated here points to His sovereign reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords, before whom "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 - Christ's Exaltation")). The silence of His human adversaries anticipates the day when all creation will acknowledge His supreme authority, and all opposition will be utterly vanquished, as He is the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end ([Revelation 1:8](/revelation/1-8 "Revelation 1:8 - Jesus, the Alpha and Omega")).

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

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].

Luke 20:40

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

Luke 14:6

And they could not answer him again to these things.

Acts 4:14

And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.

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.

Matthew 21:27

And they answered Jesus, and said, We cannot tell. And he said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.

John 8:7

So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.