09. Chapter 9: His Answers

Chapter 9 His Answers Suppose you were going to present this topic, how would you do it? Should teachers be as ready to answer questions as to ask them?

What if they don’t know the answer? Which is the more natural situation, when pupils or teachers ask the questions? When are questions irrelevant or out of order?

What should the answer to such be? As we studied the earlier part of the ministry for Jesus’ questions, we will study the latter part for his answers, so as not to duplicate material.

First, study for yourself a few of the answers he gave. Note their characteristics. Find them in Matthew 22, Mark 12, and Luke 20.

Let us study some of his answers. After speaking his first parable concerning the four kinds of soils, his disciples asked, “Why do you speak in parables?” See his long, full answer in Matthew 13:10-23. What is his answer in brief? Was it satisfactory to the disciples? Is it to you?

Note also that even the disciples did not understand this parable. This seems to have surprised Jesus (Mark 4:13). But at their request he explained its meaning. He made his meaning plain to those who desired it and he explained why he used “dark sayings” at all. In the midst of the sudden storm that swept down on the lake, they awoke him, saying, “Master, carest thou not that we perish?” First, he quieted the sea, and then asked, “Why are you afraid like this? Why not have faith?”

What is significant in his answer here? At least three things stand out. First of all he answers the question of alarm by doing something. Then, after quiet was restored and their paroxysm of fear was past, he replied, not to their question, but to their real need with two other rhetorical questions, in which he rebuked their fearfulness and its cause—lack of faith. This question he answered with a deed, and themselves he answered by asking two more questions. At the feast of Matthew Levi the Pharisees and their scribes murmured against his disciples, and asked: “Why eateth your Teacher with the publicans and sinners?” The reply of Jesus was: “They that are whole have no need of a physician, but they that are sick. But go ye and learn what this meaneth, I desire mercy and not sacrifice: for I came not to call the righteous but sinners” (Matthew 9:11-13).

Study this answer carefully. Note the figure of speech in the answer. Also the quotation from Hosea. Also the statement of his mission. Is there any sarcasm in referring to the Pharisees as “whole” and not needing a physician? Their question implied a criticism of his conduct. His reply justified his intimate association at table with tax- gatherers and sinners.

Some of the disciples of John asked him: “Why do we and the Pharisees fast oft, but thy disciples fast not?”

Jesus had the greatest respect for John and his disciples, though their viewpoints of the kingdom were antipodal. This question was not asked in criticism. John’s disciples were honestly puzzled and wanted light. Jesus replied: “Can the sons of the bride-chamber fast while the bridegroom is with them? as long as they have the bridegroom with them they cannot fast. But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then will they fast in that day” (Mark 2:19-20).

What a beautiful figure of speech! Who was the bridegroom?

How gentle this reply! With all tenderness a full explanation is given why his disciples did not fast. To that part of their question, “Why do we fast?” Jesus did not reply. Is there anything significant in this? Did Jesus want to avoid any criticism of John to his disciples? Is there tact in this answer?

Why did he refer to the time when his disciples would fast? In his answer he passes on to give the parable of the new wine and the new cloth. What is the bearing of this parable on the situation? Does it contain by implication the answer to the original first part of their question: “Why do we fast”? Note the delicacy of putting the implied criticism of John’s system in a parable.

One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, at the time of the feeding of the five thousand, said unto him: “There is a lad here, who hath five barley loaves and two fishes: but what are these among so many?” (John 6:9.) “And he said. Bring them hither to me” (Matthew 14:18).

There is a wonderful meaning hidden in this answer to a hopeless question. Think it out. The whole sixth chapter of John is a very mine for studying Jesus’ answers to questions. The Pharisees and the scribes asked him: “Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat their bread with defiled hands?” His reply was: “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoreth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. But in vain do they worship me, teaching as their doctrines the precepts of men. Ye leave the commandment of God, and hold fast the tradition of men.” Then he passes on to speak of Corban and gives the parable concerning defilement. Read it all in Mark 7:9-37. Does Jesus speak to the Pharisees in the same spirit as to John’s disciples? What is the difference? Why this difference?

Note he answers with a question, with a quotation from Isaiah, with an illustration of his charge, and with a parable. Does the fullness of this reply denote any exasperation with the Pharisees?

Compare this answer with that given the Pharisees and Sadducees on seeking a sign. See it in Matthew 16:1-4. Again there is an illustration, a charge, and an Old Testament reference.

Coming down from the mount of transfiguration, the disciples asked him: “Why then say the scribes that Elijah must first come?” And he answered and said.

“Elijah, indeed cometh, and shall restore all things: but I say unto you, that Elijah is come already, and they knew him not, but did unto him whatsoever they would. Even so shall the Son of man also suffer of them” (Matthew 17:10-12). This reply accepts a scribal teaching, but gives it a new interpretation. Did Jesus then believe in reincarnation? Who was this Elijah? Did John regard himself as Elijah? (See John 1:21.) Note the readiness with which Jesus answers questions, even this one involving technical scribal exegesis. How do you explain this?

After his healing of the demoniac boy following the Transfiguration, the disciples came unto Jesus when he was come into the house, and asked him privately, “Why could not we cast it out?”

“And he saith unto them: Because of your little faith: for verily I say unto you, if ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you” (Matthew 17:20). “This kind can come out by nothing, save by prayer” (Mark 9:29).

What do you see in this answer?

What could Jesus have meant by “faith”? Are his words to be taken literally? If so, has anyone ever had this faith? If not, what does the figure mean? What kind of a figure is it? The answer connects faith and prayer. What is the connection in the practice of healing?

These illustrations of the answers of Jesus might be greatly extended. Let us take only one more very instructive one. The Jews marveled at his teaching given in the temple at the feast of tabernacles, saying, “How knoweth this man letters, having never learned?” His reply was: “If any man willeth to do his will, he shall know of the teaching, whether it be of God, or whether I speak from myself.” This was not all he said; see it in John 7:17-19. Was this an answer at all to the question? If so what is its meaning?

Find and study the replies of Jesus to the following questions:

“What then sayest thou of her?”

“Where is thy father?” (Was this intended as an insulting taunt?) “How sayest thou, Ye shall be made free?”

“Say we not well that thou art a Samaritan and hast a devil?”

“Hast thou seen Abraham?”

“How oft shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him?”

“Wilt thou that we bid fire to come down from heaven, and consume them?”

“What shall I do to inherit eternal life?”

“Who is my neighbor?”

“Speakest thou this parable unto us, or even unto all?”

“Are they few that be saved?”

“Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife?”

“Why did Moses command to give a bill of divorcement?”

“What good thing shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?”

“What lack I yet?”

“Who then can be saved?”

“What then shall we have?”

“Dost thou not care that my sister did leave me to serve alone?”

“Who did sin, this man or his parents, that he should be born blind?” (Did the disciples then believe that a man’s own sin might cause him to be born blind? How?) “Who is he, Lord, that I may believe on him?”

“How long dost thou hold us in suspense?”

“Hearest thou what these are saying?”

“By what authority doest thou these things?”

“Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar or not?” “Whose wife shall she be?”

“Which is the great commandment in the law?” “Where wilt thou that we make ready for thee to eat the passover?”

“Dost thou wash my feet?”

“Is it I?”

“How know we the way?”

“Answerest thou the high priest so?”

“Art thou the Christ?”

“Art thou the King of the Jews?”

“Speakest thou not unto me?”

“What shall this man do?”

“Dost thou at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?”

If you have difficulty in finding some of these questions, use a good concordance.

Ought we to know the gospels practically by heart? How well do the Chinese scholars know Confucius? Are you surprised at the number of questions asked of Jesus?

There are many not in the list given above. Can you add to it?

Before two questioners Jesus did not answer. Who were these? Why did he not answer in each case?

Jesus asked some questions that his critics could not answer. Did they ever ask him a question he could not answer? Was the attitude of Jesus encouraging to questioners? (See John 16:19.) Did Jesus answer the questioner as well as the question? This is one of the most significant things about his answers. Illustrate from his answer to the Sadducees concerning the resurrection. A good teacher is not only ready to answer, but he makes the most of the answers of his pupils. Did Jesus do this? In what instances? Recall such comments as: “In that saidst thou truly,” and “Thou art not far from the kingdom of God.”

It is time to sum up. Draw up a list of the main characteristics of the answers of Jesus.

Give at least one answer that illustrates each of the following characteristics:

Informational, i.e., his answer gave information.

Profound (for a series of ever profounder answers, see John 6). An answer in the form of a question. An answer in the form of a dilemma. An answer to the questioner as well as the question. A real but not obvious answer. (See Luke 17:37.) An answer different from the one wanted. An answer in the form of a story.

Silence in answer. An indirect answer (see Matthew 18:1-6). A practical answer to an academic question (Luke 13:23-24). Are there still other characteristics of his answers? Was he ever caught “napping”?

One of the characteristics of genius is ever to be at one’s physical and moral best. Was this true of Jesus?

One of my students once gave me the following outline in a report on “The Answers of Jesus.” Read it with a view to agreeing or disagreeing with its views.

Outline 1. He answered in good faith.

He never laughed at a question.

He never hedged, or dodged a vital question.

He never answered, “I don’t know.”

2. His answer was dependent on the motive back of the question.

He did not satisfy curiosity—“no sign shall be given.”

“By what authority doest thou these things?”

“I also will ask you one question.”

Vital questions received a straight answer. Matthew 26:63-64.

3. They tended to lead to more thinking.

Lead questions: “Whom do men say that I am?”

“What is written in the law?”

4. His answers often called for action.

“Where dwellest thou?” “Come and see.”

“What must I do to inherit?” “Sell, give, come, follow.”

5. His answers contained concrete illustrations.

“Who is my neighbor?” The Good Samaritan.

What do you think of this outline?

What may we learn in our own practice from the answers of Jesus? Give some time to this question.

Some References on His Questions and Answers Barnard, P. M., Art. “Questions and Answers,” in “Dictionary of Christ and the Gospels.”

Denney, “Gospel Questions and Answers.”

Knight, “The Master’s Questions to His Disciples.”

Horne, “Story-Telling, Questioning, and Studying.”