COMMUNICATION 14 - Jesus' use of questions
Listing of Jesus' Questions by the nature of the question
Introduction
- Jesus asked many, many questions!
- The total of 226 recorded questions (many of which are recorded several times, but have been counted only once here) in itself is amazing.
- Often Jesus’ questions are considered so important, they are appear in 2, even 3 gospels parallel.
- The many questions appearing only in one gospel shows that no gospel claims to give a complete listing (see Jn 20:30).
- It seems Jesus asked more questions than he gave answers!
- Definitely questions were a preferred teaching tool of Jesus
- Jesus’ longest recorded sermon (the sermon on the mount) seems to be a sequence of thought-engaging, attitude-challenging questions.
- Jesus’ commitment to truly engage (and not control) people’s thinking through questions rather than spoon-feeding them right answers is stunning and convicting!
- Jesus seeks to bring understanding, conviction, revelation, application. Our teaching tends to bring ‘right answers’, yet split from inside-out application or even real understanding.
- A proverb says: “Satan doesn’t steal our answers, he steals our questions.”
- Here is an attempt to classify the questions:
- S simple questions non-rhetorical 3x
- T true question non-rhetorical 1x
- R evoking response rhetorical 25x
- E engaging thinking rhetorical 114x
- C Challenging-convicting rhetorical 83x
S simple questions non-rhetorical 3x
- Mk 9:21 Jesus to father How long has his been happening to him?
- Jn 11:34 Jesus to friends Where have you laid him?
- Mk 14:14, Lu 22:11 Jesus anticipating Where is my guest room for Passover?
- These are normal life organizational or technical questions.
- For humans these are non-rhetorical questions (I need to know something, so I ask).
- For Jesus, being God and all knowing, they have a different flavor, an ‘engaging thinking’ component.
- Or: Jesus didn’t rely on knowing everything, these are therefore normal ‘wanting to know’ questions.
T true question non-rhetorical 1x
- Mt 27:46, Mk 15:34 Jesus to Father My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
- This question is the most heavy, in a sense the only true question Jesus asks.
- This question is the only one question where Jesus – with the sin of the world on him – doesn’t seem to know the answer to.
- Or maybe he does, but echoes, identifies with, quotes humans grief and despair (and Ps 22:1).
R evoking response rhetorical 25x
- Jn 1:38 Jesus to John’s disciples What are you looking for?
- Mk 5:30, Lu 8:45 Jesus to hearers Who touched my clothes?
- Mt 9:28 Jesus to 2 blind Do you believe that I am able to do this?
- Jn 5:6 Jesus to invalid (Pool of Bethsaida) Do you want to be made well?
- Mt 15:34, Mk 6:38, 8:5 Jesus to disciples How many loaves have you?
- Mt 16:13, Mk 8:27, Lu 9:18 Jesus to disciples Who do people say that I am?
- Mt 16:15, Mk 8:29, Lu 9:20 Jesus to disciples But who do you say that I am?
- Mk 9:16 Jesus to disciples What are you arguing about with them (scribes)?
- Mk 9:33 Jesus to disciples What were you arguing about on the way?
- Mk 10:3 Jesus to Pharisees What did Moses command you?
- Lu 10:26 Jesus to Lawyer What is written in the law? What do you read there?
- Lu 10:36 Jesus to Lawyer (Samaritan Parable) And which of these three was a neighbor to the man?
- Jn 8:10 Jesus to adulteress Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?
- Jn 9:35 Jesus to ex-blind Do you believe in the Son of Man?
- Mt 20:32, Mk 10:51, Lu 18:41 Jesus to (2) blind What do you want me to do for you?
- Mt 20:21, Mk 10:36 Jesus to mother of JJ What do you want me to do for you?
- Mt 22:20, Mk 12:16, Lu 20:24 Jesus to opponents Whose head is this, and whose title?
- Mt 22:36, Mk 12:28 Scribe to Jesus Which commandment is the greatest?
- Mt 22:42, Mk 12:35, Lu 20:41 Jesus to opponents What do you think of the Messiah? Whose son is he?
- Jn 11:26 Jesus to Martha Everyone who believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?
- Lu 22:35 Jesus to disciples When I sent you out without purse, did you lack anything?
- Lu 24:19 Jesus to disciples What things?
- Jesus asks for a direct response of the person in front of him, responding to their request, their words, their action … or initiating thinking about something
- These questions are basically ‘engaging thinking questions’, sometimes ‘challenging-convicting questions’, with the difference that Jesus asks for a direct answer, now.
- The transition is fluid … mostly people answering is a sign of humility or obedience or interest, sometimes it is a sign that they will keep arguing.
E engaging thinking rhetorical 114x
- Lu 2:49 Jesus to Mary Why searching for me? Do you no know I must be in my Father’s house?
- Jn 1:50 Jesus to Nathaniel Do you believe because I said I saw you under the fig tree?
- Mt 5:13, Mk 9:50, Lu 14:34 Jesus to hearers But if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored?
- Mt 5:46, Lu 6:32 Jesus to hearers For if you love those who love you, what reward? Even tax collectors?
- Mt 5:47 Jesus to hearers if you greet only your brothers what more are you doing than others?
- Mt 5:47 Jesus to hearers Do not even the Gentiles do the same?
- Lu 6:33 Jesus to hearers If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit?
- Lu 6:34 Jesus to hearers If you lent to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit?
- Lu 6:39 Jesus to hearers Can a blind person guild a blind? Will they not both fall into pit?
- Mt 6:25 Jesus to hearers do not worry … is not life more than food, body more than clothing?
- Mt 6:26 Jesus to hearers Are you not of more value than they?
- Mt 6:27, Lu 12:25 Jesus to hearers And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life?
- Mt 6:28, Lu 12:26 Jesus to hearers And why do you worry about clothing?
- Mt 6:30 Jesus to hearers will he not much more clothes you – you of little faith?
- Mt 6:31 Jesus anticipating What will we eat? or What will we drink? or What will we wear?
- Mt 7:3, Lu 6:41 Jesus to hearers Why do you see the speck in your neighbor’s eye, but do not log?
- Mt 7:4. Lu 6:42 Jesus to hearers How can you say, “Let me take the speck out of your eye,” while log?
- Lu 6:46 Jesus to hearers Why do you call me Lord and do not do what I tell you?
- Mt 7:9, Lu 11:11 Jesus to hearers Is there anyone among you … if your child asks for bread give a stone?
- Mt 7:10, Lu 11:12 Jesus to hearers Or if the child asks for a fish, will give a snake?
- Mt 7:11, Lu 11:13 Jesus to hearers If you … good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father?
- Mt 7:16 Jesus to hearers Are grapes gathered from thorns or figs from thistles?
- Mt 7:22 Jesus anticipating Lord … did we not … do many deeds of power in your name?
- Mt 9:15, Mk 2:19 Jesus to hearers The wedding guests cannot mourn as long as the bridegroom there?
- Mt 10:29, Lu 12:6 Jesus to hearers Are not two sparrows sold for a penny?
- Mt 11:7, Lu 7:24 Jesus to hearers What did you go out … to look at? a reed shaken by the wind?
- Mt 11:8, Lu 7:25 Jesus to hearers What then did you go out to see? Someone dressed in soft robes?
- Mt 11:9, Lu 7:26 Jesus to hearers What then did you go out to see? A prophet?
- Mt 11:16, Lu 7:31 Jesus to hearers But to what will I compare this generation? It is like children
- Mt 15:16, Mk 7:18 Jesus to disciples Are you also still without understanding (clean unclean)?
- Mt 15:17, Mk 7:19 Jesus to disciples Do you not see that goes into the mouth … stomach … sewer?
- Mt 17:25 Jesus to Peter What do you think? Kings take toll or tribute? From children or others?
- Mt 18:12 Jesus to disciples What do you think? Shepherd has 100 sheep …not search astray?
- Lu 15:4 Parable Lost sheep Which does not leave 99 behind and goes after the one lost?
- Lu 15:8 Parable Lost coins What woman does not sweep the house and search?
- Mt 18:33 Parable of unforgiving servant should you not have had mercy , and I had mercy on you?
- Mt 19:5 Jesus to Pharisees Have you not read … made them male and female … be joined?
- Mt 19:17, Mk 10:18, Lu 18:19 Jesus to Ruler Why call me good? Why ask me about good? No one good
- Lu 12:42 Jesus to Peter Who the is the faithful and prudent manager put in charge?
- Mk 4:21 Jesus to disciples Is a lamp brought to be put under bed … not on a lamp stand?
- Mk 4:30 Jesus to disciples With what can we compare the kingdom of God, what parable?
- Mt 13:27 Parable of tares Did you not sow good seed in your field? Where weeds come from?
- Mt 13:28 Parable of tares Do you want us to go gather them?
- Mt 20:6 Parable: Vineyard owner Why are you standing here idle all day?
- Mt 20:13 Parable: Vineyard owner Did you not agree with me for usual wage?
- Mt 20:15 Parable: Vineyard owner Am I not allowed to do? Envious because I am generous?
- Lu 7:42 Parable 2 debtors forgiven Now which of them will love him more?
- Lu 12:17 Parable Rich Fool What should I do, no place for crops?
- Lu 12:20 Parable Rich Fool And the things you have prepared, whose shall they be?
- Lu 12:51 Jesus to disciples Do you think I came to bring peace? Rather division!
- Lu 12:57 Jesus to hearers Why do you not judge for yourselves what is right?
- Lu 13:2 Jesus to hearers Do you think that suffering Galileans were worse sinners?
- Lu 13:4 Jesus to hearers Or those 18 killed when the tower fell, worse offenders?
- Lu 13:7 Parable barren fig tree Why should it be wasting the soil?
- Lu 13:18, 20 Jesus to disciples What is the kingdom of God like? With what to compare?
- Lu 14:28 Jesus to hearers Which of you building a tower will not estimate cost?
- Lu 14:31 Jesus to hearers What king going to wage war consider whether able to oppose?
- Lu 16:2 Parable Dishonest Steward What is this that I hear about you?
- Lu 16:3 Parable Dishonest Steward What will I do, now that master will take away my position?
- Lu 16:5 Parable Dishonest Steward How much do you owe my master?
- Lu 16:7 Parable Dishonest Steward And how much do you owe my master?
- Lu 16:11 Parable Dishonest Steward If you are not faithful with dishonest wealth, true riches?
- Lu 16:12 Parable Dishonest Steward If you are not faithful with anothers, who entrust you?
- Lu 17:7 Jesus to disciples Who says to slave, come here, take your place at the table?
- Lu 17:8 Jesus to disciples Would you not rather say, prepare supper for me?
- Lu 17:9 Jesus to disciples Do you thank the slave for doing what was commanded?
- Lu 18:7 Parable Unjust judge Will not God grant justice to those who cry to him?
- Lu 18:8 Parable Unjust judge When the Son of man comes, will he find faith on earth?
- Lu 19:23 Parable of Talents Why did you not put my money into bank?
- Jn 6:70 Jesus to disciples Did I not choose you, 12? yet one of you is a devil.
- Jn 11:9 Jesus to disciples Are there not 12 hours of daylight?
- Mt 21:28 Jesus to opponents What do you think? A man had two sons … obedient, disobedient
- Mt 21:31 Parable of two sons Which did the will of the Father?
- Mt 21:42, Mk 12:11, Lu 20:17 Jesus to opponents Have you never read?: the stone that builders rejected
- Mt 22:12 Parable of banquet Friend, how did you get in here without a robe?
- Jn 12:27 Jesus anticipating What should I say, Father, save me from this hour?
- Mt 24:2, Mk 13:2 Jesus to disciples You see all these great buildings, do you not?
- Mt 24:45 Parable faithful slave Who then is the faithful slave, master has put in charge?
- Mt 25:37 Parable sheep & goats When was it that we … gave you food … drink?
- Mt 25:38 Parable sheep & goats When … gave you clothing?
- Mt 25:39 Parable sheep & goats When visited you?
- Mt 25:44 Parable sheep & goats When hungry, thirsty … did not take care of you?
- Jn 13:12 Jesus to disciples Do you know what I have done to you?
- Jn 14:10 Jesus to Philip Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me?
- Lu 22:27 Jesus to disciples Who is greater, who is at table or the one who serves? One at table?
- Mt 26:53 Jesus to disciples Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father … legions of angels?
- Jn 18:11 Jesus to Peter Put your sword back, am I not to drink the cup that the Father gave?
- Mt 26:54 Jesus to disciples But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled … that is must happen?
- Jn 18:34 Jesus to Pilate Do you ask this on your own, or did others tell you about me?
- Jn 20:15 Jesus to Mary Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for. Mary!
- Lu 24:17 Jesus to disciples, Emmaus What are you discussing with each other?
- Lu 24:26 Jesus to disciples Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer and enter glory?
- Lu 24:38 Jesus to disciples Why are you frightened, and why do doubts arise in your hearts?
- Lu 24:41, Jn 21:5 Jesus to disciples Have you anything to eat?
- Jn 21:15, 16, 17 Jesus to Peter Simon, do you love me more than these (1x)? Do you love me (2x)?
- Ac 9:4, 22:7, 26:14 Jesus to Paul Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?
- This type of question is by far the most numerous
- This type of question is mostly used on the willing, the hearers and the disciples
- This type of question is linked with another favored teaching method: the parable
- Most response evoking questions could be counted as ‘thought engaging’ as well, which would make their total number even higher.
- There is a continuum to the more challenging-convicting type questions
- Jesus teaches by engaging thinking, by shaking up established thinking, by introducing fresh perspective, new examples, catchy comparisons, logic, letting the hearer come to his own conclusions
- We teach by giving answers, Jesus seems to teach by raising questions!
- We tend to spoon feed, Jesus lets people scramble!
- Unless the question is really understood, the answer is not understood as answer
- Proverb: “Satan doesn’t steal our answers, he steals our questions”
- Many questions, once they are properly raised, the answers are self-evident.
C Challenging-convicting rhetorical 83x
- Jn 2:4 Jesus to Mary What concern is that to you and to me?
- Mt 8:26,Mk 4:40, Lu 8:25 Jesus to disciples Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith? You of little faith?
- Mt 9:4, Mk 2:8,Lu 5:22 Jesus to scribes Why do you think evil in your hearts? Raise such questions in heart?
- Mt 9:5, Mk 2:9,Lu 5:23 Jesus to scribes Which is easier to say,’your sins are forgiven’, or ‘stand up, walk’?
- Mk 5:39 Jesus to mourners Why do you make a commotion and weep?
- Mt 12:4, Mk 2:25, Lu 6:4 Jesus to Pharisees Have you not read what David did, when they were hungry?
- Mt 12:5 Jesus to Pharisees on sabbath the priests break the sabbath and yet are guiltless?
- Mt 12:10. Lu 14:3 Jesus to Pharisees Is it lawful to cure on the sabbath?
- Mk 3:4, Lu 6:9 Jesus to Pharisees Is is lawful to do good or to do harm on the sabbath, to safe life or kill?
- Mt 12:11 Jesus to Pharisees one sheep falls into a pit on the sabbath; will you not lift it out?
- Lu 14:5 Jesus to Pharisees If a child or ox has fallen into a well, not pull it out on the sabbath?
- Mt 12:26, Mk 3:23, Lu 11:18 Jesus to Pharisees If Satan casts out Satan …then how will his kingdom stand?
- Mt 12:27, Lu 11:19 Jesus to Pharisees If I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your own exorcists?
- Mt 12:29 Jesus to Pharisees How can one enter a house without first tying up the strong man?
- Mt 12:34 Jesus to Pharisees How can you speak good things, when you are evil?
- Mt 12:48, Mk 3:33 Jesus to hearers Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?
- Mt 14:31 Jesus to disciples You of little faith, why did you doubt?
- Mt 15:3 Jesus to Pharisees Why do you break commandment of God for your tradition?
- Mt 16:3, Lu 12:56 Jesus to Phar Sadd hearers You know to interpret sky, but not interpret signs of the time?
- Mt 16:8 Jesus to disciples You of little faith, why are you talking about having no bread?
- Mt 16:9, Mk 8:19 Jesus to disciples Do you not perceive? Do you not remember 5 loaves & baskets?
- Mt 16:10, Mk 8:20 Jesus to disciples Or the seven loaves for the 4000, how many baskets you gathered?
- Mt 16:11, Mk 8:18 Jesus to disciples How could you fail to perceive that I was not speaking about bread?
- Mk 8:12 Jesus to Pharisees Why does this generation ask for a sign?
- Mk 8:17, Mk 8:21 Jesus to disciples Why talking about no bread? Still not understand? Hearts hardened?
- Mt 17:17, Mk 9:19, Lu 9:41 Jesus to disciples Faithless, perverse …how much longer? Put up with you?
- Mk 4:13 Jesus to disciples Do you not understand this parable? How understand all parables?
- Lu 7:44 Jesus to Simon Do you see this woman?
- Lu 12:14 Jesus to person Who set me to be a judge or arbitrator over you?
- Lu 13:15 Jesus to leaders Does not each of you untie his ox, donkey and water it on sabbath?
- Lu 13:16 Jesus to leaders Ought this woman be set free form this bondage on the sabbath?
- Lu 17:17 Jesus to leper Were not 10 made clean? But the other nine, where are they?
- Jn 3:10 Jesus to Nicodemus Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand?
- Jn 3:12 Jesus to Nicodemus How can you believe if I tell about heavenly things?
- Jn 5:44 Jesus to hearers How can you believe when you accept glory from one another?
- Jn 5:47 Jesus to hearers If do not believe Moses, how will you believe what I say?
- Jn 6:61 Jesus to hearers Does this offend you?
- Jn 6:62 Jesus to hearers Then what if you were to see Son of man ascending?
- Jn 6:67 Jesus to disciples Do you also wish to go away?
- Jn 7:19 Jesus to Jews Did not Moses give you the law? Yet none of you keeps it.
- Jn 7:19 Jesus to Jews What are you looking for an opportunity to kill me?
- Jn 7:23 Jesus to Jews If circumcision on sabbath, why angry for healing a person?
- Jn 8:25 Jesus to Jews Why do I speak to you at all?
- Jn 8:43 Jesus to Jews Why do you not understand what I say?
- Jn 8:46 Jesus to Jews Which of you convicts me of sin?
- Jn 10:32 Jesus to Jews done many good works, for which are you going to stone me?
- Jn 10:34 Jesus to Jews Is it not written in the law: you are gods?
- Jn 10:36 Jesus to Jews Can you say the one the Father sent blasphemes … ‘I am God’s son’?
- Mk 11:17 Jesus to Jews Is it not written .. my house shall be a house of prayer?
- Mt 21:25, Mk 11:30, Lu 20:4 Jesus to opponents Baptism of John from heaven, or was it of human origin?
- Lu 20:13 Parable of vineyard What shall I do? I will send my beloved son
- Mt 21:40, Mk 12:9, Lu 20:15 Parable of vineyard When the owner comes, what will he do tenants?
- Mt 22:18, Mk 22:15 Jesus to opponents Why are you putting me to the test, you hypocrites?
- Mk 12:24 Jesus to Sadducees Wrong because neither Scripture nor power?
- Mt 22:32-33, Mk 12:26 Jesus to Sadducees Have you not read … God of Abraham?
- Mt 22:44-45, Mk 12:37, Lu 20:44 Jesus to oppon How then David calls him Lord …enemies under your feet?
- Mt 23:17 Jesus to Pharisees Which is greater, gold or the sanctuary that made the gold sacred?
- Mt 23:19 Jesus to Pharisees For which is greater, the gift or the altar that makes the gift sacred?
- Mt 23:33 Jesus to Pharisees How can you escape being sentenced to hell?
- Lu 11:40 Jesus to Pharisees Did not the one who made the outside make the inside also?
- Jn 11:40 Jesus to Martha Did I not tell you tat is you believed, you would see the glory of God?
- Mt 26:10, Mk 14:6 Jesus to disciples Why do you trouble her?
- Jn 13:38 Jesus to Peter Will you lay down you life for me?
- Jn 14:9 Jesus to Philip How can you say ‘show us the Father’?
- Jn 16:5 Jesus to disciples None of you asks me, ‘where are you going’?
- Jn 16:19 Jesus to disciples Are you discussing among yourselves (the above)?
- Jn 16:31 Jesus to disciples Do you now believe? The hour is coming: you will be scattered
- Mt 26:40, Mk 14:37, Lu 22:46 Jesus to Peter Asleep? Could you not stay awake with me one hour?
- Jn 18:4, 7 Jesus to temple police Whom are you looking for?
- Lu 22:48 Jesus to Judas Is it with a kiss you are betraying the Son of man?
- Mt 26:55, Mk 14:48, Lu 22:52 Jesus to temple police Have you come out with swords …as if I were a bandit?
- Jn 18:21 Jesus to High priest I have said nothing in secret. Why do you ask me?
- Jn 18:22 Jesus to temple police If I spoke wrongly, testify. If rightly, why do you strike me?
- Lu 23:31 Jesus to women If they do this when wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?
- Jn 21:22, 23 Jesus to Peter What is that to you? Follow me!
- Jesus uses the more straight-forward, provocative, cage-rattling, challenging, convicting questions with his disciples (where he would expect a greater understanding by now) and with his opponents (Pharisees, scribes, Sadducees, High priest, council, temple police, Judas).
- With his disciples & hearers: to rebuke them for lack of faith, to provoke them drawing conclusions (bread), to challenge their attitudes, to prepare them of their own failure (last supper).
- With his opponents: to try to shake us the all-too-set, self-righteous, blind, loop-hole thinking of the Pharisees and to unmask unrighteousness in his trial.
- These are Jesus’ last-ditch attempts to break through walls, to get behind defenses, to shake up religiosity & self-righteousness. Though more aggressive and biting, they are basically attempts to reach out even to them, and hopefully effect a life-saving repentance.
For some more thoughts on how Jesus’ questions engage people’s thinking see: COM 04, COM 05, COM 06, COM 07, COM 08, COM 09 on the same website.