Luke 20:40

Commentary on Luke 20:40 (KJV)

Luke 20:40 states, "And after that they durst not ask him any [question at all]." This concise verse marks a pivotal moment in Jesus's public ministry, signaling the complete defeat of His religious adversaries in their attempts to discredit or trap Him through questioning.

Context

This verse concludes a series of intense confrontations in the Temple courts where various religious factions—the chief priests, scribes, elders, Pharisees, and Sadducees—attempted to challenge Jesus's authority and wisdom. Prior to this, Jesus had masterfully answered questions about paying taxes to Caesar (Luke 20:20-26) and the resurrection from the Sadducees (Luke 20:27-39). Each encounter saw Jesus not only evade their traps but also turn the questions back on them, exposing their ignorance or hypocrisy. The Sadducees, in particular, were "put to silence" (Luke 20:39) by His profound theological answer concerning the nature of life after death and God's relationship with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Key Themes

• Jesus's Unchallengeable Authority and Wisdom: The repeated failures of His opponents highlight Jesus's divine insight and His ability to discern the true intentions behind their questions. His answers were not merely clever but rooted in divine truth.
• Defeat of Religious Opposition: This verse signifies a turning point where the religious leaders, having exhausted their intellectual and theological ammunition, were left with no further questions to pose. Their strategy of public interrogation had backfired, solidifying Jesus's standing in the eyes of the people.
• The End of Open Debate: While opposition would continue in other forms (conspiracy, arrest, trial), the period of open, intellectual questioning in the Temple was effectively over. They had nothing left to ask because they had no answer to His truth.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "durst not ask him any [question at all]" uses the Old English verb "durst," which means 'dared not' or 'had not the courage to'. It conveys a sense of their utter defeat and intimidation. They were not merely out of questions; they were afraid to ask more, knowing they would only be further humiliated or exposed.

Related Scriptures

Similar accounts of Jesus silencing His critics are found in other Gospels, such as Matthew 22:46 ("Neither durst any man from that day forth ask him any more questions.") and Mark 12:34. This consistent portrayal underscores the overwhelming impact of Jesus's wisdom on His contemporaries.

Practical Application

Luke 20:40 serves as a powerful reminder that divine truth cannot ultimately be trapped or defeated by human cunning or opposition. For believers, it reinforces trust in the unassailable wisdom of Christ. It also encourages us to approach spiritual inquiry with humility and a genuine desire for understanding, rather than with a spirit of contention or a hidden agenda. When confronted with truth, genuine seekers are enlightened, while those with closed hearts are silenced.