Questions Jesus Asked and Answered

Jesus asked 307 questions

Jesus was asked 108 questions

Jesus answered 8, 10 based on interpretation.

So for the math wizards, Jesus is 40 times more likely to ask a question than answer, and when He answers He is more likely to ask an indirect question 20 times to one.

His ability to ask indirect questions, had a profound effect on those who tried to “trap” jesus with a question.

the Sadducees tried to trap Jesus with a resurrection question. They didn’t believe in the resurrection.

What is the final question they asked after this implausible scenario?

What is the answer in verse 24?

How about our follow up question? What will heaven be like?

Should we pay taxes?

Yes and they perceive He supports the Romans. No and the opposite is true.

But He answers with a question. What is the question?

What question does Pilate ask Jesus?

Jesus responds how? In the other three gospels, Jesus avoids the question altogether by being silent.

from last week. A couple questions.

Here is one of the tough indirect questions: Aren’t there 12 hours in a day?

is where we find this question.

Questions He Directly Answered

, Peter asks how many times He is to forgive his brother. A direct answer is given.

On the issue of divorce Jesus answers the Pharisees,

On the issue of eternal life, Matthew 19:16-22, keep the commandments.

, the scribes ask, Which commandment is most important of all?

The most difficult of answers came right after the transfiguration. Lets read:

Mark 17:14-21 and see the tough answer.

This is as direct an answer as Jesus can give (right after they saw Moses and Elijah).

Does Jesu seem impatient? Should He be? Should he be with me?

, Where would you like to eat the passover meal?

The most detailed answer He gave.

The answer He didn’t want to give:

John 13:21-30

John 13:21–30 NKJV

When Jesus had said these things, He was troubled in spirit, and testified and said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me.” Then the disciples looked at one another, perplexed about whom He spoke. Now there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved. Simon Peter therefore motioned to him to ask who it was of whom He spoke. Then, leaning back on Jesus’ breast, he said to Him, “Lord, who is it?” Jesus answered, “It is he to whom I shall give a piece of bread when I have dipped it.” And having dipped the bread, He gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. Now after the piece of bread, Satan entered him. Then Jesus said to him, “What you do, do quickly.” But no one at the table knew for what reason He said this to him. For some thought, because Judas had the money box, that Jesus had said to him, “Buy those things we need for the feast,” or that he should give something to the poor. Having received the piece of bread, he then went out immediately. And it was night.

. Peter doesn’t take the hint, or does he?

Last, many times people asked or assumed or made a statement about who He was and what He did. Often HE would say, go, tell no one. His time had not yet come.

Mark 15:1–5 NKJV

Immediately, in the morning, the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council; and they bound Jesus, led Him away, and delivered Him to Pilate. Then Pilate asked Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?” He answered and said to him, “It is as you say.” And the chief priests accused Him of many things, but He answered nothing. Then Pilate asked Him again, saying, “Do You answer nothing? See how many things they testify against You!” But Jesus still answered nothing, so that Pilate marveled.

Mark 15:1-5

Again as direct as it comes. Why answer now? Why Pilate?

Tired of the pomp and circumstance, tired of the goading and posturing of the temple officials?

I like direct answers. I don’t have the ability to give indirect answers. I cant play poker, because i just answer the question asked. Someone i know can do a very good job of being indirect.

Did we get our taxes complete? I think so...

Did we get a return? Probably...

How much? Less than last year...

Jesus doesn’t answer many question directly as we see here. It is by design. He is a teacher, not an answer man.

Parables teach. Indirect questions cause us to rephrase, think through the issue or get to the heart of the matter truly at hand.

In some parables we see something different each time based on our circumstances. They are eye opening, mind blowing, trees in the midst of the forest.

A teacher who aims to transform our lives causes us to think, ponder, wonder, illustrate, dream, test, try and even fail at times all to get us to a more mature character.

In the Nazarene church we call that the sanctified life.