We are looking at examples of Jesus using questions to answer questions in the context of His enemies trying to find fault in him. He was blasphemous and a law-breaker (violating the Sabbath law). The next example taken from Matthew is when Jesus was accused of using demonic power to cast out demons (Matt. 12:22-ff). His enemies could not deny that he had performed a miracle. New Testament miracles were always undeniable. No one ever denied what is denied, today. The masses marveled at the power of Jesus to heal a mute, blind, and demon-possessed man. As ridiculous as some accusations are, they are loudly and boldly defended as the truth. They claimed that Jesus’ power came from Beelzebub, the prince of demons (12:24). Jesus asked three questions concerning the power of their sons in casting out demons. First, if Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand? Second, “if I cast out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they shall be your judges. But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you. Third, “Or how can one enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? And then he will plunder his house (Matt. 12:26-29). The logic is flawless. Why would Satan cast out Satan? But, if true, then their own sons would be suspected of casting out Satan by the same power. How could anyone plunder a strong man’s goods without first binding him? In the same way, Jesus’ power could bind Satan while healing the blind and mute man.
The next recorded incident is in Matthew 15:1-3. A group of scribes and Pharisees came to Jesus asking him, “Why do Your disciples
transgress the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat bread. He answered and said to them, “Why do you also transgress the commandment of God because of your tradition?” He does not give them a direct answer but counters with a question. This redirection focused on a key issue of greater significance than eating with unwashed hands. Once again, Jesus wanted His accusers to be aware of the distinction between the traditions of men and the commands of God. This is similar to another time when the chief priests and scribes accused Him of accepting the applause of children after He had performed miracles. They shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” (Matt. 21:15). “Do You hear what these are saying?” (Matt. 21:16), they asked. Jesus turned to them and asked a question: “Yes. Have you never read, ‘Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants You have perfected praise” (Matt. 21:16)? By directing the chief priests and scribes to the Scriptures, Jesus was able to show the fulfillment of prophecy and that children are better at recognizing what they refuse to acknowledge — that He is the Messiah.
Answering questions with a question is not just among the Scribes and Pharisees. Another example taken from Matthew’s gospel His own disciples. Matthew 26:10 describes the strong disapproval of the disciples when a woman broke a costly jar of perfumed oil over Jesus’
head. They asked, “Why this waste?” (Matt. 26:8). The perfume could have been sold and the money used for the poor. Jesus’ question was a mild rebuke to them: “Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a good work for Me.” (Matt. 26:10) Jesus met the accusers and the accused with words of kindness toward the woman. Once again, Jesus was a master at pointing out the priority among choices and distinguishing human values from divine values, and the importance placed on being slow to judge and cautious to condemn. Jesus could have rebuked them but not even the slightest rebuke is directed toward them. Instead, he focuses on the good deed done by the woman. She. like Mary, chose the better part, and valued the time they would have to be with Jesus.