When Jesus Stops Answering: Confronting the Questions We Don’t Mean

Have you ever had someone ask a question that wasn’t really a question? 🤔 Maybe your child asks, "Do I really have to clean my room?" and you just know they’re not genuinely wondering — they’re stalling. Or maybe a friend asks, "So what do you think of my decision?" but deep down, they’re only fishing for affirmation, not the truth.

That’s exactly what happens in Mark 11:27–33. It’s the final week of Jesus’ life, and the religious leaders approach Him in the temple. But they’re not coming with open hearts. They come with an agenda:

“By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority?” (v. 28)

It sounds like a question. But it isn’t.

Jesus sees right through them. Instead of walking into their trap, He responds with a question of His own:

“The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men? answer me.” (v. 30)

Just like that, the conversation flips. Because this wasn’t really about Jesus’ authority. It was about their unwillingness to face the truth they already knew.

When Questions Are Really Challenges 😤

These leaders weren’t curious about Jesus. They were trying to hold on to their power. Jesus had disrupted their system — clearing out the temple, healing people, and teaching with authority. His actions exposed their spiritual emptiness. So instead of surrendering, they demanded credentials.

We do this too. We sometimes challenge God’s commands not because we’re confused, but because we don’t want to give up control.

When Jesus Points Backward 🔁

Jesus doesn’t give them a straight answer. Instead, He asks about John the Baptist. Why? Because John had already made it clear who Jesus was. If they had believed John, they would’ve accepted Jesus. But they didn’t.

That’s often how God works with us. We ask Him to show us the next step, but He keeps pointing back to the last thing He said. Until we obey what He’s already revealed, we’re not ready for more.

When We Dodge the Truth 😶

Listen to their response:

“We cannot tell.” (v. 33)

But they weren’t confused. They were calculating. If they said John was from God, they’d be exposed. If they said he wasn’t, they feared the crowd.

So they said nothing.

And Jesus said:

“Neither do I tell you.”

That’s a chilling moment. Not because Jesus didn’t know what to say — but because He refused to speak further. The truth had already been given. It had been rejected. Now, silence.

So What About You? 💭

Has God already made something clear to you? Maybe through Scripture, a sermon, conviction, or a godly friend? Are you waiting for a new answer while ignoring the last one?

Here’s the heart of the matter:

You can’t demand answers from Jesus if you’re not willing to be honest with the truth He’s already shown you. 🙏

The good news is, Jesus doesn’t reject honest seekers. But He won’t play games with spiritual dodgeball. If you’re ready to take the next step — the one He’s already made clear — He’ll speak again. He’ll guide you. He’ll restore you.

So go back to the last thing you know He told you to do.

And do it. ✅

Because obedience reopens the conversation. 🔓

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