Luke 20:26 - They weren’t able to trap him in his words before the people. They marveled at his answer, and were silent.
Select Bible Verse
Filter Categories
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
What does "Luke 20:26" mean?
This verse, Luke 20:26, is the culmination of a specific encounter Jesus had with some of his adversaries, likely Pharisees and Herodians. Let's break it down to understand its meaning:
"They weren’t able to trap him in his words before the people." This is the key point. The Pharisees and Herodians were trying to trick Jesus with a loaded question. They asked him if it was lawful to pay taxes to Caesar (the Roman emperor). Their intent was a "catch-22":
If Jesus said "yes," he would be seen as supporting Roman occupation and betraying his own people, losing popularity with the crowds who resented Roman rule.
If Jesus said "no," he could be accused of sedition against Rome and be arrested by the Roman authorities.
The phrase "trap him in his words" emphasizes the deliberate attempt to use his own statements against him, to put him in a no-win situation publicly ("before the people"). They wanted to discredit him or have him arrested.
"They marveled at his answer..." Jesus' response completely avoided the trap. He asked to see a Roman coin, and then asked whose image and inscription were on it. They replied, "Caesar's." Jesus then famously said, "Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s." This clever answer:
Acknowledged the Roman government's authority to collect taxes (as their image was on the coin used for Roman currency), avoiding accusations of sedition.
Simultaneously implied that there were also obligations to God that superseded worldly rulers, thus appeasing the Jewish sentiment against Roman occupation.
His answer was so insightful and balanced that even his opponents were taken aback. They were impressed by the wisdom and skill with which he navigated the treacherous question. "Marveled" suggests they were astonished and awed.
"...and were silent." Their inability to refute his argument or find any fault with his response left them speechless. They were effectively defeated in their attempt to publicly undermine him. "Silent" indicates their discomfiture, frustration, and possibly even begrudging respect. They had no further recourse in that moment.
In summary, Luke 20:26 highlights Jesus' wisdom, intelligence, and mastery of debate. He skillfully avoided a trap set by his adversaries, leaving them astonished and silenced, thereby demonstrating his authority and shrewdness in dealing with those who sought to undermine him.
Luke 20:26 - They weren’t able to trap him in his words before the people. They marveled at his answer, and were silent.
What does "Luke 20:26" mean?
This verse, Luke 20:26, is the culmination of a specific encounter Jesus had with some of his adversaries, likely Pharisees and Herodians. Let's break it down to understand its meaning:
"They weren’t able to trap him in his words before the people." This is the key point. The Pharisees and Herodians were trying to trick Jesus with a loaded question. They asked him if it was lawful to pay taxes to Caesar (the Roman emperor). Their intent was a "catch-22":
If Jesus said "yes," he would be seen as supporting Roman occupation and betraying his own people, losing popularity with the crowds who resented Roman rule.
If Jesus said "no," he could be accused of sedition against Rome and be arrested by the Roman authorities.
The phrase "trap him in his words" emphasizes the deliberate attempt to use his own statements against him, to put him in a no-win situation publicly ("before the people"). They wanted to discredit him or have him arrested.
"They marveled at his answer..." Jesus' response completely avoided the trap. He asked to see a Roman coin, and then asked whose image and inscription were on it. They replied, "Caesar's." Jesus then famously said, "Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s." This clever answer:
Acknowledged the Roman government's authority to collect taxes (as their image was on the coin used for Roman currency), avoiding accusations of sedition.
Simultaneously implied that there were also obligations to God that superseded worldly rulers, thus appeasing the Jewish sentiment against Roman occupation.
His answer was so insightful and balanced that even his opponents were taken aback. They were impressed by the wisdom and skill with which he navigated the treacherous question. "Marveled" suggests they were astonished and awed.
"...and were silent." Their inability to refute his argument or find any fault with his response left them speechless. They were effectively defeated in their attempt to publicly undermine him. "Silent" indicates their discomfiture, frustration, and possibly even begrudging respect. They had no further recourse in that moment.
In summary, Luke 20:26 highlights Jesus' wisdom, intelligence, and mastery of debate. He skillfully avoided a trap set by his adversaries, leaving them astonished and silenced, thereby demonstrating his authority and shrewdness in dealing with those who sought to undermine him.