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In the Gospels, Jesus was asked questions by various groups, including religious leaders, His disciples, and ordinary people. The religious leaders, like the Pharisees and Sadducees, often tried to trap Him with questions, but Jesus responded with wisdom that revealed deeper truths. His disciples, seeking understanding, asked about forgiveness and the end times, while people like the rich young ruler and Nicodemus sought guidance on eternal life and spiritual rebirth.
Skeptics, including John the Baptist and Pilate, also questioned Jesus, providing Him opportunities to affirm His identity as the Messiah. Each question revealed the motives of the questioners and allowed Jesus to share profound wisdom. As you reflect on these encounters, consider your own questions for Jesus and keep reading to discover how His answers lead to greater truth and understanding.
Questions are a fundamental part of our daily lives. They help us understand, connect, and grow. In the Gospels, Jesus faced many questions from various people—disciples, religious leaders, and everyday folks—each with their own motives and curiosities. Let’s dive into some of these moments, exploring who asked Jesus questions, why they did so, and what we can learn from His responses.
1. The Religious Leaders: Testing and Trapping Jesus
The religious leaders of Jesus’ time—Pharisees, Sadducees, and teachers of the law—frequently questioned Him, often with ill intent. They weren’t genuinely seeking knowledge; instead, they aimed to trap Him or discredit His teachings.
The Pharisees’ Questions
“Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?”
One notable encounter involved the Pharisees asking Jesus about paying taxes to the Roman authorities. In Matthew 22:17, they questioned, “Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?” They hoped to trap Jesus into a political statement that could either alienate Him from the people or get Him in trouble with the Roman authorities. Jesus’ response was both wise and profound: “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s” (Matthew 22:21). This answer not only evaded their trap but also highlighted the principle of giving due respect to both secular and divine obligations.
The Sadducees’ Question
“In the resurrection, whose wife will she be?”
The Sadducees, who didn’t believe in resurrection, posed a complex question to Jesus about a woman who had been married to seven brothers (Matthew 22:28). They asked, “In the resurrection, whose wife will she be?” Jesus corrected their misunderstanding about resurrection life by explaining, “For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven” (Matthew 22:30). His answer underscored the difference between earthly life and the life to come.
2. The Disciples: Seeking Understanding and Guidance
The disciples were often confused by Jesus’ teachings and actions, prompting them to ask numerous questions. Unlike the religious leaders, their questions came from a place of genuine curiosity and desire to learn.
Peter’s Bold Inquiry
“How often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him?”
Peter, always the bold one, asked Jesus in Matthew 18:21, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” Jesus’ response, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven” (Matthew 18:22), expanded the concept of forgiveness beyond human limits. Jesus was teaching Peter—and us—that forgiveness should be boundless.
The Disciples’ Concern About the End Times
“Tell us, when will these things be?”
In Matthew 24:3, the disciples asked Jesus about the signs of the end times: “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?” Jesus provided a detailed discourse on the signs of the times, encouraging vigilance and readiness. He emphasized that no one knows the exact day or hour, highlighting the need for constant spiritual preparedness (Matthew 24:36).
3. The Seekers: Looking for Truth and Healing
Many ordinary people approached Jesus with questions, seeking healing, truth, or guidance. Their questions were heartfelt and sincere, often stemming from a deep need or a quest for understanding.
The Rich Young Ruler
“What good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?”
A young man, seeking assurance of eternal life, asked Jesus, “Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?” (Matthew 19:16). Jesus’ response challenged him to go beyond mere commandments to a deeper level of commitment: “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me” (Matthew 19:21). This interaction revealed the importance of prioritizing spiritual wealth over material possessions.
Nicodemus’ Night Visit
“How can a man be born when he is old?”
Nicodemus, a Pharisee and a member of the Jewish ruling council, visited Jesus at night, seeking to understand His teachings. He asked, “How can a man be born when he is old?” (John 3:4). Jesus explained the concept of being “born again” spiritually, emphasizing the necessity of a spiritual rebirth to enter the Kingdom of God (John 3:5-7). This profound discussion led to the famous declaration of God’s love: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).
4. The Skeptics: Questioning with Doubt
Some questioned Jesus out of skepticism or doubt, unsure about His identity or the truth of His message. These interactions often provided opportunities for Jesus to clarify His mission and identity.
John the Baptist’s Question from Prison
“Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?”
Even John the Baptist, while imprisoned, sent his disciples to ask Jesus, “Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?” (Matthew 11:3). John, facing execution, sought reassurance. Jesus responded by pointing to the miracles He performed and the fulfillment of prophecies: “Go and tell John the things which you hear and see: The blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them” (Matthew 11:4-5). This answer affirmed His role as the Messiah.
Pilate’s Cynical Inquiry
“What is truth?”
Pontius Pilate, during Jesus’ trial, asked a question laden with skepticism: “What is truth?” (John 18:38). Though Pilate’s question was rhetorical, Jesus’ very presence as the embodiment of truth stood as a silent testimony. His calm demeanor and unwavering commitment to His mission in the face of such questioning spoke volumes about the nature of divine truth.
Conclusion: Learning from the Questions
Each question posed to Jesus opens a window into the questioner’s heart and motives. Whether from curiosity, doubt, or a desire to trap Him, Jesus’ responses were always filled with wisdom and insight. They addressed the underlying issues and often redirected the questioner to a deeper truth.
As you reflect on these encounters, consider your own questions and what you seek from Jesus. Are you like the disciples, eager to learn and understand? Or perhaps like Nicodemus, searching for deeper spiritual meaning? Remember, Jesus’ answers are always available to those who seek with an open heart. His wisdom transcends time, guiding us toward truth and understanding.
References:
- The Holy Bible, New King James Version.
- Matthew 22:17, 21
- Matthew 22:28, 30
- Matthew 18:21-22
- Matthew 24:3, 36
- Matthew 19:16, 21
- John 3:4, 5-7, 16
- Matthew 11:3-5
- John 18:38
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Why did the religious leaders question Jesus so often?
The religious leaders—Pharisees, Sadducees, and others—often questioned Jesus to test Him, trap Him in His words, or discredit His teachings. They were threatened by His growing influence and the radical nature of His message, which challenged their authority and interpretations of the Law.
2. How did Jesus respond to the Pharisees’ question about paying taxes?
When the Pharisees asked Jesus if it was lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, He responded with wisdom and insight. He said, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s” (Matthew 22:21). This answer skillfully avoided their trap and emphasized the importance of fulfilling both civic and spiritual responsibilities.
3. What was Jesus’ response to the Sadducees about marriage in the resurrection?
The Sadducees, who did not believe in the resurrection, questioned Jesus about whose wife a woman would be in the resurrection if she had been married to seven brothers. Jesus explained that in the resurrection, people “neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven” (Matthew 22:30), highlighting the difference between earthly life and the life to come.
4. How often did Jesus say we should forgive others?
When Peter asked Jesus how many times he should forgive someone who sins against him, Jesus replied, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven” (Matthew 18:22). This means that forgiveness should be limitless and continuous.
5. What did Jesus tell His disciples about the end times?
The disciples asked Jesus about the signs of the end times and His return. Jesus described various signs and events to watch for, but emphasized that no one knows the exact day or hour of His return (Matthew 24:36). He encouraged His followers to be vigilant and always prepared for His coming.
6. What did the rich young ruler ask Jesus, and what was Jesus’ response?
The rich young ruler asked Jesus what he must do to inherit eternal life. Jesus advised him to keep the commandments and then challenged him to sell his possessions, give to the poor, and follow Him (Matthew 19:16, 21). This response highlighted the need for total commitment and the prioritization of spiritual wealth over material possessions.
7. Why did Nicodemus visit Jesus at night, and what did he ask?
Nicodemus, a Pharisee and a member of the Jewish ruling council, visited Jesus at night to understand His teachings. He asked how a person could be born again when they are old. Jesus explained that being “born again” refers to a spiritual rebirth necessary to enter the Kingdom of God (John 3:4-7).
8. How did Jesus reassure John the Baptist when he was in prison?
John the Baptist, while imprisoned, sent his disciples to ask Jesus if He was the Messiah. Jesus reassured him by pointing to the miracles He performed and the fulfillment of prophecies: “The blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them” (Matthew 11:3-5).
9. What did Pilate mean when he asked Jesus, “What is truth?”
Pilate’s question, “What is truth?” (John 18:38), was likely a rhetorical expression of skepticism. During Jesus’ trial, Pilate struggled to understand the nature of Jesus’ kingship and the accusations against Him. Jesus, who embodies truth, stood silently as the living testimony to the nature of divine truth.
10. How can we apply the lessons from these questions to our own lives?
The questions asked to Jesus and His responses teach us to approach life’s inquiries with an open heart and a sincere desire for truth. Whether we seek understanding, reassurance, or guidance, Jesus’ teachings provide timeless wisdom that can lead us to deeper spiritual insight and a closer relationship with God.
