Luke 14:6 kjv

And they could not answer him again to these things.

Luke 14:6 nkjv

And they could not answer Him regarding these things.

Luke 14:6 niv

And they had nothing to say.

Luke 14:6 esv

And they could not reply to these things.

Luke 14:6 nlt

Again they could not answer.

Luke 14 verses

Luke 14 6 Meaning

Luke 14:6 conveys the absolute inability of Jesus's opponents, the lawyers and Pharisees, to present any logical or moral counter-argument to His actions and questions. Having healed a man with dropsy on the Sabbath and challenged them with a clear, humane question, Jesus left them speechless. Their silence was a direct admission of defeat, exposing the flawed legalism of their traditions when confronted with divine wisdom and compassion.

Luke 14 6 Context

Luke 14:6 is set during a Sabbath meal at the home of a prominent Pharisee, where Jesus had been invited, likely to be observed (Lk 14:1). Jesus notes a man afflicted with dropsy (edema) present. He immediately turns to the lawyers and Pharisees and poses a direct, probing question: "Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath, or not?" Their strategic silence, designed to avoid trapping themselves or outright opposing Jesus publicly, highlights their legalistic quandary. Jesus then performs the healing and follows up with an irrefutable argument based on common human compassion and the law concerning rescuing an animal on the Sabbath (Lk 14:5). Luke 14:6 concludes this exchange, marking their failure to retort. This interaction, like many others, reveals Jesus' challenge to the rigid interpretations of the Mosaic Law by the religious elite, contrasting their focus on external adherence with His emphasis on compassion, the Spirit of the Law, and His own divine authority as Lord of the Sabbath.

Luke 14 6 Word analysis

• And they: The Greek "καὶ αὐτοὶ" (kai autoi). "They" specifically refers back to "the Pharisees and lawyers" mentioned in Luke 14:3. This collective term signifies the religious authorities present, who were often Jesus's antagonists, frequently challenging His interpretation of the Law.
• could not: The Greek "οὐκ ἴσχυσαν" (ouk ischysan). Ouk means "not." Ischysan is from the verb ischuō, meaning "to have strength," "to be able," or "to prevail." Therefore, "could not" signifies a fundamental inability, a lack of power or valid argument. It's not merely that they didn't answer, but that they were incapable of doing so, indicating a moral or intellectual incapacitation.
• answer him again: The Greek "ἀνταποκριθῆναι" (antapokrithēnai). This compound verb from antapokrinomai literally means "to answer back" or "to contradict in response." The prefix anti- indicates opposition or reciprocation. It highlights that Jesus had made a challenging statement or question requiring a counter-response, which they failed to provide. It suggests they were expected to refute or defend their position, but found themselves disarmed.
• to these things: The Greek "πρὸς ταῦτα" (pros tauta). "To" or "towards these things." This refers to Jesus's actions (healing the man) and His compelling rhetorical question regarding the lawfulness of healing on the Sabbath (Luke 14:3). "These things" encapsulate Jesus's challenge to their legalistic tradition, demonstrating that His act of mercy, justified by common human sense, was undeniably good and right, despite being done on the Sabbath.

Luke 14 6 Bonus section

• Jesus' Rhetorical Strategy: Jesus frequently employed rhetorical questions (e.g., Lk 14:3, 5; Lk 6:9; Lk 13:15) that, when answered implicitly or explicitly, exposed the logical inconsistencies or moral failings of His adversaries. His questions often compelled them to choose between their strict traditions and clear principles of compassion, thereby silencing them by their own convictions.
• The Deeper Conflict: The core tension highlighted in Luke 14:6 and similar Sabbath encounters is not merely about specific rules but about two fundamentally different approaches to God's law: legalism versus love, outward observance versus inward righteousness, human traditions versus divine intention. Jesus consistently prioritizes mercy and human welfare over ceremonial rigidity.
• Sabbath's Purpose: The Sabbath was given as a blessing, a day of rest and liberation, meant for the good of humankind (Mk 2:27). The religious leaders, however, had burdened it with countless meticulous rules, turning it into a yoke. Jesus's actions reassert the original, liberating purpose of the Sabbath, challenging those who had lost sight of God's compassionate heart behind the commandments.

Luke 14 6 Commentary

Luke 14:6 encapsulates a pivotal moment where Jesus's divine wisdom and compassionate actions unequivocally triumphed over the legalistic scrutiny of the religious establishment. By posing an inescapable dilemma and then performing an act of healing on the Sabbath, Jesus cornered His critics. Their inability to "answer him again" was not a casual silence but a profound admission of intellectual and spiritual defeat. They could not condemn Jesus for an act of pure mercy, particularly when such acts align with basic human decency and even existing, albeit often overlooked, interpretations of the law concerning immediate relief (e.g., saving an animal in a pit). This verse underscores that truth, compassion, and divine authority hold sway over rigid, self-serving interpretations of religious law. It exposes the Pharisees' priority: rigid adherence to human tradition over God's intention for the Sabbath, which was meant for good and mercy. This moment vividly illustrates Jesus as the authoritative interpreter and fulfiller of God's law, contrasting His liberating grace with their binding regulations.