Questions Jesus Asks

The Power of Questions

God’s first recorded interaction was a question

Where art thou?

Genesis 3:9 “9 And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?”

Questions engage the other

Draw in the other party

Invite participation

Cultivate relationship

Different Questions for Different Purposes

Questions that assert authority

Questions that frustrate the critics:

Matthew 21:24–26 “24 And Jesus answered and said unto them, I also will ask you one thing, which if ye tell me, I in like wise will tell you by what authority I do these things. 25 The baptism of John, whence was it? from heaven, or of men? And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say unto us, Why did ye not then believe him? 26 But if we shall say, Of men; we fear the people; for all hold John as a prophet.”

Matthew 22:17–20 “17 Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not? 18 But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites? 19 Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny. 20 And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription?”

Matthew 22:41–45 “41 While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, 42 Saying, What think ye of Christ? whose son is he? They say unto him, The Son of David. 43 He saith unto them, How then doth David in spirit call him Lord, saying, 44 The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool? 45 If David then call him Lord, how is he his son?”

Matthew 23:17 “17 Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold?”

Matthew 23:19 “19 Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifieth the gift?”

Questions that stop you in your tracks, or questions that can’t be answered:

Matthew 22:12 “12 And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless.”

Questions that encourage development

Questions that test your motive:

Matthew 9:4–5 “4 And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts? 5 For whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and walk?”

Matthew 26:50 “50 And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him.”

Questions that lead you to the Scriptures:

Matthew 19:4–5 “4 And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, 5 And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?”

Matthew 21:16–17 “16 And said unto him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise? 17 And he left them, and went out of the city into Bethany; and he lodged there.”

Matthew 21:42 “42 Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?”

Matthew 22:31–32 “31 But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying, 32 I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.”

Matthew 26:53–54 “53 Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels? 54 But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?”

Questions to lead your thinking:

Matthew 16:13–16 “13 When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? 14 And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. 15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? 16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

Matthew 16:26 “26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?”

Matthew 17:25 “25 He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers?”

Questions that motivate movement

Questions that prove his power

Matthew 14:31 “31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?”

Questions that test your commitment and buy-in:

Matthew 20:32 “32 And Jesus stood still, and called them, and said, What will ye that I shall do unto you?”

Matthew 15:34 “34 And Jesus saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven, and a few little fishes.”

Matthew 9:28 “28 And when he was come into the house, the blind men came to him: and Jesus saith unto them, Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said unto him, Yea, Lord.”

Other

Wilt thou be made whole?

Questions to Job - overwhelming supremacy

Why are you so fearful, o ye of little faith? Mt 8.26.

Why think evil in your heart? Mt 9.4-5.

Questions to evaluate motive

Questions of his own soul:

Matthew 27:46 “46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?”

Questions invite engagement, thought, reflection, dialogue, and an opportunity for understanding and growth.

Sermon on the mount offers several rhetorical questions.