King James Version

What Does Mark 11:29 Mean?

Mark 11:29 in the King James Version says “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 a...” — study this verse from Mark chapter 11 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“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. question: or, thing”

Mark 11:29 · KJV

Context

27

And they come again to Jerusalem: and as he was walking in the temple, there come to him the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders,

28

And say unto him, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority to do these things?

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. question: or, thing

30

The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men? answer me.

31

And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say, Why then did ye not believe him?

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Commentary

KJV Study 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).

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Historical & Cultural 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.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Jesus's wisdom in answering questions with questions model engagement with bad-faith critics?
  2. What does this exchange teach about the prerequisite for receiving truth—honest acknowledgment versus intellectual dishonesty?
  3. Where might you be asking God questions while refusing to act on truth He has already revealed?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 22 words
ὁ1 of 22
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

δὲ2 of 22

“And”

G1161

but, and, etc

Ἰησοῦς3 of 22

“Jesus”

G2424

jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites

ἀποκρίθητέ4 of 22

“answer”

G611

to conclude for oneself, i.e., (by implication) to respond; by hebraism (compare h6030) to begin to speak (where an address is expected)

εἶπεν5 of 22

“and said”

G2036

to speak or say (by word or writing)

αὐτοῖς6 of 22

“unto them”

G846

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

Ἐπερωτήσω7 of 22

“I will”

G1905

to ask for, i.e., inquire, seek

ὑμᾶς8 of 22

“of you”

G5209

you (as the objective of a verb or preposition)

κἀγὼ9 of 22

“also”

G2504

so also the dative case ????? <pronunciation strongs="kam-oy'"/>, and accusative case ???? <pronunciation strongs="kam-eh'"/> and (or also, even, etc.

ἕνα10 of 22

“one”

G1520

one

λόγον11 of 22

“question”

G3056

something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive; by extension, a

καὶ12 of 22

“and”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἀποκρίθητέ13 of 22

“answer”

G611

to conclude for oneself, i.e., (by implication) to respond; by hebraism (compare h6030) to begin to speak (where an address is expected)

μοι14 of 22

“me”

G3427

to me

καὶ15 of 22

“and”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἐρῶ16 of 22

“I will tell”

G2046

an alternate for g2036 in certain tenses; to utter, i.e., speak or say

ὑμῖν17 of 22

“you”

G5213

to (with or by) you

ἐν18 of 22

“by”

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

ποίᾳ19 of 22

“what”

G4169

individualizing interrogative (of character) what sort of, or (of number) which one

ἐξουσίᾳ20 of 22

“authority”

G1849

privilege, i.e., (subjectively) force, capacity, competency, freedom, or (objectively) mastery (concretely, magistrate, superhuman, potentate, token o

ταῦτα21 of 22

“these things”

G5023

these things

ποιῶ·22 of 22

“I do”

G4160

to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Mark. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Mark 11:29 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Mark 11:29 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 52:13Luke 20:3-8Matthew 21:24

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