Matthew 21:24
And Jesus answered and said unto them, I also will ask you one thing, which if ye tell me, I in like wise will tell you by what authority I do these things.
Original Language Analysis
ἀποκριθεὶς
answered
G611
ἀποκριθεὶς
answered
Strong's:
G611
Word #:
1 of 23
to conclude for oneself, i.e., (by implication) to respond; by hebraism (compare h6030) to begin to speak (where an address is expected)
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
4 of 23
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
αὐτοῖς
unto them
G846
αὐτοῖς
unto them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
6 of 23
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
I also
G2504
κἀγὼ
I also
Strong's:
G2504
Word #:
9 of 23
so also the dative case ????? <pronunciation strongs="kam-oy'"/>, and accusative case ???? <pronunciation strongs="kam-eh'"/> and (or also, even, etc.
λόγον
thing
G3056
λόγον
thing
Strong's:
G3056
Word #:
10 of 23
something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive; by extension, a
ὃν
which
G3739
ὃν
which
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
12 of 23
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
ἐὰν
if
G1437
ἐὰν
if
Strong's:
G1437
Word #:
13 of 23
a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.; often used in connection with other particles to denote indefiniteness or uncertainty
κἀγὼ
I also
G2504
κἀγὼ
I also
Strong's:
G2504
Word #:
16 of 23
so also the dative case ????? <pronunciation strongs="kam-oy'"/>, and accusative case ???? <pronunciation strongs="kam-eh'"/> and (or also, even, etc.
ἐρῶ
will tell
G2046
ἐρῶ
will tell
Strong's:
G2046
Word #:
18 of 23
an alternate for g2036 in certain tenses; to utter, i.e., speak or say
ποίᾳ
what
G4169
ποίᾳ
what
Strong's:
G4169
Word #:
20 of 23
individualizing interrogative (of character) what sort of, or (of number) which one
Historical Context
Rabbis commonly answered questions with questions to expose faulty premises or teach deeper truth. Jesus used this technique throughout His ministry (Matt 22:41-46). The Socratic method wasn't evasion but pedagogical wisdom, forcing self-examination rather than mere intellectual debate.
Questions for Reflection
- When defending truth, how can you follow Jesus's example of asking diagnostic questions rather than just arguing?
- What question is God asking you that you're avoiding because the honest answer would require uncomfortable change?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
I also will ask you one thing, which if ye tell me, I in like wise will tell you by what authority I do these things—Jesus employs rabbinic counter-questioning (common in Jewish debate) to expose His opponents' hypocrisy. The Greek ἐρωτήσω ὑμᾶς (erōtēsō hymas, 'I will ask you') matches their interrogation.
Jesus wasn't evading but revealing. His counter-question about John's baptism (v.25) would force them to acknowledge divine authentication they'd rejected. If they admitted John's ministry was from heaven, they'd condemn themselves for ignoring him. Their dilemma exposed the real issue: not Jesus's credentials but their hard hearts.