Luke 14:6

But ¹  they could not reply ²  to this.

And they had nothing to say.

And they could make no reply to this.

Again they had no answer.

They were stumped. There was nothing they could say to that.

And they had no answer to that question.

And they could not reply to this.

And they could not answer Him regarding these things.

But ¹  they could not reply ²  to this.

¹ tn καί (kai) has been translated here as “but” to indicate the contrast present in this context. The experts, who should be expected to know the law, are unable to respond to Jesus’ question.

² sn They could not reply. Twice in the scene, the experts remain silent (see v. 4). That, along with the presence of power working through Jesus, serves to indicate endorsement of his work and message.