The words of Jesus had moved their hearts as they had never before been moved by words from human lips. God was seeking to give light to those leaders in Israel, and He used the only means by which they could be reached. In their pride they would have scorned to admit that they could receive instruction from anyone. If Jesus had appeared to be trying to teach them, they would have disdained to listen. But they flattered themselves that they were teaching Him, or at least testing His knowledge of the Scriptures. The youthful modesty and grace of Jesus disarmed their prejudices. Unconsciously their minds were opened to the word of God, and the Holy Spirit spoke to their hearts.

Jesu ord havde grebet deres hjerter på en måde, som de aldrig før var blevet påvirket af noget menneskes ord. Gud prøvede at give lys til disse Israels ledende mænd, og han benyttede det eneste middel, hvorved det var muligt at nå dem. De ville i deres hovmod have foragtet at indrømme, at de skulle lade sig belære af nogen. Hvis det havde set ud, som om Jesus havde villet forsøge at belære dem, ville de ikke have værdiget ham at lytte til hans ord. Men de smigrede sig med, at det var dem, der belærte ham, eller at de i det mindste satte hans skriftkundskab på prøve. Jesu ungdommelige beskedenhed og venlighed afvæbnede deres fordomme. Uden at de selv vidste det, åbnede deres sind sig for Guds ord, og Helligånden talte til deres sjæle.