Mark Chapter 11 · Verse 29
And Jesus answered and said unto them, I will also ask of you one question, and answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things.
Original Language Analysis
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
1 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
3 of 22
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
ἀποκρίθητέ
answer
G611
ἀποκρίθητέ
answer
Strong's:
G611
Word #:
4 of 22
to conclude for oneself, i.e., (by implication) to respond; by hebraism (compare h6030) to begin to speak (where an address is expected)
αὐτοῖς
unto them
G846
αὐτοῖς
unto them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
6 of 22
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
κἀγὼ
also
G2504
κἀγὼ
also
Strong's:
G2504
Word #:
9 of 22
so also the dative case ????? <pronunciation strongs="kam-oy'"/>, and accusative case ???? <pronunciation strongs="kam-eh'"/> and (or also, even, etc.
λόγον
question
G3056
λόγον
question
Strong's:
G3056
Word #:
11 of 22
something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive; by extension, a
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
12 of 22
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἀποκρίθητέ
answer
G611
ἀποκρίθητέ
answer
Strong's:
G611
Word #:
13 of 22
to conclude for oneself, i.e., (by implication) to respond; by hebraism (compare h6030) to begin to speak (where an address is expected)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
15 of 22
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐρῶ
I will tell
G2046
ἐρῶ
I will tell
Strong's:
G2046
Word #:
16 of 22
an alternate for g2036 in certain tenses; to utter, i.e., speak or say
ποίᾳ
what
G4169
ποίᾳ
what
Strong's:
G4169
Word #:
19 of 22
individualizing interrogative (of character) what sort of, or (of number) which one
Historical Context
Rabbinic dialogue frequently employed counter-questions, probing assumptions, and dialectical reasoning. This was not evasion but sophisticated engagement designed to clarify thinking and lead interlocutors to truth. John the Baptist's ministry (circa AD 28-29) had profoundly impacted Judea. Crowds flocked to hear him; his martyrdom by Herod was recent (Mark 6:14-29). John's status remained controversial—the people considered him a prophet; Herod feared his influence; religious leaders were ambivalent. Jesus's question forced them to publicly state their position on John.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Jesus's wisdom in answering questions with questions model engagement with bad-faith critics?
- What does this exchange teach about the prerequisite for receiving truth—honest acknowledgment versus intellectual dishonesty?
- Where might you be asking God questions while refusing to act on truth He has already revealed?
Analysis & Commentary
I will also ask of you one question, and answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things—Jesus does not refuse to answer but conditions His answer on their response. This rabbinical teaching method—answering questions with questions—was common in first-century Judaism. By proposing a question trade, Jesus exposes whether they are genuinely seeking truth or attempting entrapment. His question about John the Baptist's authority will reveal their hearts. If they are honest truth-seekers willing to acknowledge John's divine commissioning, they will have their answer about Jesus—because John testified explicitly that Jesus was the Messiah (John 1:29-34). If they are dishonest, they disqualify themselves from receiving Jesus's answer. Jesus will not cast pearls before swine (Matthew 7:6).