Matthew 21:23-27

Matthew 21:23-27
The final week of Jesus’ life on earth prior to His crucifixion was filled with one confrontation after another with the Jewish leaders. In this text, the chief priests and elders – leaders of the Sadducees – challenged Him to show where He received the authority to cleanse the temple and teach the things He taught. The way Jesus handled this challenge gives us a perfect picture of how we ought to handle those who confront us with similar challenges.
Notice that Jesus did not immediately answer their question. Instead, He asked them a question. Why? Jesus avoided being entrapped by using a question that would reveal their motives as well as establish a foundation for answering their question. Jesus is not being coy: “I’ll answer you if you answer Me.” If they will be honest enough to admit that John’s baptism was a command from heaven, then they will know that Jesus’ authority also came from heaven since John announced Jesus. But they were not honest and refused to answer. On that basis, it would have been fruitless for Jesus to give them an answer. He had been successful in exposing their hearts. In fact, in the following texts, Jesus asked two more questions which further exposed their rebelliousness.
Christians typically are asked questions that relate to their faith or are confronted concerning different aspects of their faith. The wise person will follow Jesus’ example in this text. Before answering, ask questions that will help you reveal the motive of the individual, the true meaning of their question, and their underlying knowledge so that you answer in a way that will make sense.
Three simple questions are usually necessary:
1. “What do you mean by that?” In other words, ask them to clarify the question so that you understand what they mean by all their terms.
2. “How do you know?” When a person makes a claim, they should be prepared to back it up with evidence. Usually, in clarifying a question, a person will make certain claims. Ask for evidence.
3. “Have you considered…?” If you have determined that a person is seeking truth, you can offer them a small piece of evidence that will help them on their journey.
In asking questions, you will save yourself from becoming entrapped while at the same time laying the groundwork for a profitable discussion.
Berry Kercheville