Luke 20:26 Meaning and Explanation
“And they could not take hold of his words before the people: and they marvelled at his answer, and held their peace.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The spies fail to catch Jesus in his words before the people; astonished at his answer, they fall silent.
What Does Luke 20:26 Mean?
The trap closes on nothing. The spies were sent to 'take hold of his words' (v. 20), and his words offer no handhold — nothing for Pilate, nothing to turn the crowd. Luke records their double response: they marvelled, and they went quiet.
Silence before Jesus can be the beginning of worship or the sullenness of defeat; for these men it was defeat, and they withdrew unchanged. Wonder that never becomes faith fades into mere frustration. Yet the verse stands as a quiet assurance: the wisdom of Christ cannot be outmaneuvered. Those who set out to master him end up marvelling — and those who let the marvelling do its work may yet end up his disciples.
Frequently Asked Questions About Luke 20:26
What does Luke 20:26 mean?
The spies fail to catch Jesus in his words before the people; astonished at his answer, they fall silent.