And they could not take hold of his words before the people,.... Which was what they wanted; that if he had dropped any seditious and treasonable expressions against the government, they might be witnesses against him; or if he had not vindicated the liberties of the people, and the rights of the Jewish nation, these might be exasperated against him, and leave him: and they marvelled at his answer; which was so formed, as to give them no handle against him either way: and held their peace; they were silenced, and had nothing to say to him, nor against him, but left him, and went their way.