King James Version

What Does Matthew 21:24 Mean?

Matthew 21:24 in the King James Version says “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 ...” — study this verse from Matthew chapter 21 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“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.”

Matthew 21:24 · KJV

Context

22

And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.

23

And when he was come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came unto him as he was teaching, and said, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority?

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.

25

The baptism of John, whence was it? from heaven, or of men? And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say unto us, Why did ye not then believe him?

26

But if we shall say, Of men; we fear the people; for all hold John as a prophet.

Read Matthew 21 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study 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.

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Historical & Cultural 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.

Reflection Questions

  1. When defending truth, how can you follow Jesus's example of asking diagnostic questions rather than just arguing?
  2. What question is God asking you that you're avoiding because the honest answer would require uncomfortable change?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 23 words
ἀποκριθεὶς1 of 23

“answered”

G611

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

δὲ2 of 23

“And”

G1161

but, and, etc

ὁ3 of 23
G3588

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

Ἰησοῦς4 of 23

“Jesus”

G2424

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

εἴπητέ5 of 23

“and said”

G2036

to speak or say (by word or writing)

αὐτοῖς6 of 23

“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

Ἐρωτήσω7 of 23

“will ask”

G2065

to interrogate; by implication, to request

ὑμᾶς8 of 23

“you”

G5209

you (as the objective of a verb or preposition)

κἀγὼ9 of 23

“I also”

G2504

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

λόγον10 of 23

“thing”

G3056

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

ἕνα11 of 23

“one”

G1520

one

ὃν12 of 23

“which”

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

ἐὰν13 of 23

“if”

G1437

a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.; often used in connection with other particles to denote indefiniteness or uncertainty

εἴπητέ14 of 23

“and said”

G2036

to speak or say (by word or writing)

μοι15 of 23

“me”

G3427

to me

κἀγὼ16 of 23

“I also”

G2504

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

ὑμῖν17 of 23

“you”

G5213

to (with or by) you

ἐρῶ18 of 23

“will tell”

G2046

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

ἐν19 of 23

“by”

G1722

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

ποίᾳ20 of 23

“what”

G4169

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

ἐξουσίᾳ21 of 23

“authority”

G1849

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

ταῦτα22 of 23

“these things”

G5023

these things

ποιῶ·23 of 23

“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 Matthew. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Matthew 21:24 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 Matthew 21:24 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Luke 6:9Colossians 4:6Matthew 10:16Proverbs 26:4-5

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