There were many that tried to trick Him when asking questions, perhaps many still today who do the same. Even though they approach Jesus with a question, their hearts are wicked and hard as their intent is not to learn truth, but to trap Jesus. Jesus, however, has great wisdom, and will never be fooled or tricked. He often took the opportunity to respond by making a teachable point. In Matthew 23-27, the chief priests challenge his authority following His cleansing of the temple, which had become profaned as a market and “robbers’ den”.

   23When He entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to Him while He was teaching, and said, “By what authority are You doing these things, and who gave You this authority?” 24Jesus said to them, “I will also ask you one thing, which if you tell Me, I will also tell you by what authority I do these things. 25“The baptism of John was from what source, from heaven or from men?” And they began reasoning among themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will say to us, ‘Then why did you not believe him?’ 26“But if we say, ‘From men,’ we fear the people; for they all regard John as a prophet.” 27And answering Jesus, they said, “We do not know.” He also said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.

The chief priests are always conspiring and discussing things from a worldly perspective as they try to trap Jesus. Never is there a record of them going before God to pray and seek an answer about Jesus. Instead, always plotting about how to trap Him and manage the people so that they can stay in power and authority. They had become attached to the traditions of men, their own traditions, to the point that they no longer followed the commands of God.  They were far from God, despite the position of religious authority. Many who are perceived as religious authority today are doing likewise. They no longer look toward God.

Jesus answered them by simply showing He could trap them as well, and more effectively. Jesus had wisdom and a sharp wit, which He used to turn away mockers and deceivers, while focusing on teaching those who are teachable in spirit.

We must be careful as well to not spend too much time trying to teach those who are not willing to be taught. Lingering too long with them will prevent us from spending the same time with those who seek truth and want to be taught. We can always respond, even to mockers, but do not spend too much time there… for it is a trap that takes away time and energy from reaching those who want to hear.

[Proverbs 9:7-9]   7He who corrects a scoffer gets dishonor for himself, And he who reproves a wicked man gets insults for himself. 8Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you, Reprove a wise man and he will love you. 9Give instruction to a wise man and he will be still wiser, Teach a righteous man and he will increase his learning.

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