Bible Strands
Luke 14:6
And they were unable to answer these questions.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Jesus questions the Pharisees and legal experts at a Sabbath meal after asking whether it is lawful to heal on that day. They fall silent because His scenario leaves them no defensible position.
The words — οὐκ ἴσχυσαν ἀνταποκριθῆναι (ouk ischusan antapokrithēnai) literally translates to "they were not able to reply." The text records their complete inability to answer rather than a voluntary refusal.
The thread — This silence of opponents appears in Luke 20:40 and Matthew 22:46. It aligns with the humiliation of adversaries and the crowd's rejoicing noted in Luke 13:17.
Why it lands — The passage requires readers to acknowledge that human legal frameworks collapse when confronted with divine purpose. A reader must decide whether to cling to rigid traditions or submit to Jesus' authority.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
And they could not answer him again to these things.
Cross-references
- Luke 20:40 And they did not dare to question Him any further.
- Matthew 22:46 No one was able to answer a word, and from that day on no one dared to question Him any further.
- Luke 13:17 When Jesus said this, all His adversaries were humiliated. And the whole crowd rejoiced at all the glorious things He was doing.
- Luke 20:26 And they were unable to trap Him in His words before the people. And amazed at His answer, they fell silent.
- Luke 21:15 For I will give you speech and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict.
- Acts 6:10 but they could not stand up to his wisdom or the Spirit by whom he spoke.