Most of us expect an answer and preferably a short answer to questions that we ask them. We often deem questions given in response to our questions as being a wise guy or smart alec. Yet, the choice of using questions in response to questions is based on the perceived motivation of the question. Jesus uses this form of response in communicating with the scribes and Pharisees of His day. One fact that always needs to be lodged in our memory is that Jesus, unlike us, knows what is in one’s heart. Therefore, he knows the motivations and intents of the heart. Consider the following passages:
Matthew 12:25 and Luke 11:17 explain, “And knowing And knowing their thoughts Jesus said to them … Matthew 22:18 has Jesus asking the question, “Why are you testing Me, you hypocrites.” While we may experience situations with individuals that we perceive to be hypocritical, caution should be taken when calling someone a hypocrite because we do not know the thoughts and intents of the heart. I may feel like exploding on someone and angrily labeling another a hypocrite and feel comfortable with that assessment. This is a good example of the kind of “judging” that is condemned. John 2:25 gives commentary on Jesus’ knowledge that He Himself knew what was in man. Luke 6:8 reads, “But, He knew what they were thinking, and He said to the man with the withered hand, “Get up and come forward!” Luke 16:15 reads, “And He said to them, ‘You are those who justify yourselves in the sight of men, but God knows your hearts; for that which is highly esteemed among men is detestable in the sight of God.'” You and I do not have that ability and cannot act with certainty about the intent of hearts.
However, we may still choose to answer questions with questions if we perceive the possibility of insincerity or dishonesty. Seven instances of Jesus responding to questions with a question are found in the gospel of Matthew (Matthew 9:1-8; 9:15; 12:3-5; 12:26-29; 15:1-3; 21:16; 26:10). In each of these, Jesus is accused of something like blasphemy in Matthew 9 because he had forgiven and then healed a paralytic man. Jesus asked two questions, #1 “Why do you think evil in your hearts?” and #2 For which is easier to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Arise and walk’?” Jesus was saying that his power is from above. The same power to heal is the same power to forgive.
The second accusation is in verse 15 where John’s disciples accused Jesus’ disciples of not fasting. Jesus uses a question in response to their question saying, “Can the friends of the bridegroom mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast.” Here, He identifies himself as the bridegroom and that now during His joyful presence is not a time for fasting but when He is away from them, they will fast.
Another example is when the Pharisees accused Jesus’ disciples of breaking the Sabbath by plucking the grains and eating them. Jesus responded by asking two questions related to their knowledge of the scriptures. First, “Have you not read what David did when he was hungry, he and those who were with him: how he entered the house of God and ate the showbread which was not lawful for him to eat, nor for those who were with him, but only for the priests?” Second, “Or, have you not read in the law that on the Sabbath the priests in the temple profane the Sabbath, and are blameless (Matt. 12: 3-5)? It appears that Jesus’ questions were designed to distinguish the traditions of men from the intent and spirit of the Law. Strict adherence to the law that sees only black and white with no exceptions places humans under the curse of the law that requires perfect law-keeping in all things that are written in the book (Gal. 3:10-ff). This distinction is made by Paul when distinguishing the letter of the law from the spirit of the law (cf. Rom. 2:29, 2 Corinthians 3:6).