Luke 20:40 (KJV)

What does Luke 20:40 mean?

Luke 20:40 describes how, after a certain point in Jesus’ public teaching, none of his questioners dared to ask him anything further. The people challenging Jesus—mainly religious leaders—stopped questioning him because they realized they could not trap or outwit him.

In this scene, Jesus has just answered difficult questions from various groups in Jerusalem, including the Sadducees and Pharisees, who were trying to challenge his authority or catch him in a mistake. Luke 20:40 marks the end of these confrontations, showing that Jesus’ wisdom left his opponents at a loss for words and unwilling to continue their public debate.

The Greek behind Luke 20:40

• The word “durst” comes from the Greek τολμᾶν (tolman, G5111), which means “to dare” or “to have courage.” Here, it shows that Jesus’ opponents lost their nerve and confidence to keep questioning him.
• The Greek ἐπερωτᾶν (eperōtan, G1905), translated “ask,” means to question or interrogate, often in a challenging or testing way. This highlights that the questions were not just casual curiosity but attempts to test or trap Jesus.

Why Luke 20:40 matters

• This verse clarifies that Jesus’ answers were so wise and authoritative that even his critics recognized they could not defeat him in argument.
• Luke 20:40 signals a turning point in the narrative, as open debate with Jesus ends and the focus shifts to other ways his opponents will try to oppose him.
• The verse helps readers see the respect and awe Jesus commanded, even among those who disagreed with him, and sets the stage for the events leading up to his arrest.