"And as [Jesus] said these things to them, the scribes and the Phari-
sees began to assail Him vehemently, and to cross-examine Him about many things, lying in wait for Him, and seeking to catch Him in some-
thing He might say, that they might accuse Him."
Jesus Christ's enemies had this nasty habit of trying to ensnare the Messiah in His words. They would pick them apart and twist them, in order to seek to achieve their desired ends. But this never hindered the Savior from propagating His gospel--with even renewed clarity and vigor. (This is evidenced by what we read in the next verses, in Luke's account.)
The same should hold for all faithful churchmen today--be they of the clergy, or the laity. Let us honor our Lord by "speaking [His] truth, in love," (as per Eph. 4:15a); and let us not be deterred by even-very-determined opposition.
[Puritan quote of the day: "God descends down unto us from election to calling, and so to sanctification . . . " --Richard Sibbes, in, "The Soul's Conflict with Itself"]
