Answering a question with a question is entirely in the Jewish spirit. But Jesus never does anything by accident, and of course He answers a question with a question neither to win an argument nor in order to...
Answering a question with a question is entirely in the Jewish spirit. But Jesus never does anything by accident, and of course He answers a question with a question neither to win an argument nor in order to avoid answering (when He did not consider it necessary to answer, He usually simply remained silent). The counterquestion clearly has a purpose. But what is it? The question itself concerns a burning issue: John, his preaching, the washings (“baptisms”) he performed, and his very death as a righteous martyr were on everyone's lips. It is no surprise that the people considered him a prophet, a man of God.
But perhaps the point lies neither in the question Jesus asked nor even in the answer His questioners give Him. It lies in how they answer. Their main purpose is not to seek the truth, nor even to give an answer as such, but to protect their own authority and personal safety.
The situation is typical, for dialogue with Him is still conducted in much the same way. We often ask Him a question, receive no answer, and wonder why. He in turn asks us a question whose answer is often obvious, and watches to see what matters to us: He Himself, God, the truth, or our personal well-being. If our well-being comes first, He does not answer. Not because He condemns and rejects us, but because any further conversation has lost all meaning.
4
4:14 Fluctuating to and fro - From within, even when there is no wind. And carried about with every wind - From without; when we are assaulted by others, who are unstable as the wind. By the sleight of men - By their "cogging the dice;" so the original word implies.
4:15 Into him - Into his image and Spirit, and into a full union with him.
4:16 From whom the whole mystical body fitly joined together - All the parts being fitted for and adapted to each other, and most exactly harmonizing with the whole. And compacted - Knit and cemented together with the utmost firmness. Maketh increase by that which every joint supplieth - Or by the mutual help of every joint. According to the effectual working in the measure of every member - According as every member in its measure effectually works for the support and growth of the whole. A beautiful allusion to the human body, composed of different joints and members, knit together by various ligaments, and furnished with vessels of communication from the head to every part.
4:17 This therefore I say - He returns thither where he begun, Eph 4:1.And testify in the Lord - In the name and by the authority of the Lord Jesus. In the vanity of their mind - Having lost the knowledge of the true God, Rom 1:21. This is the root of all evil walking.
4:18 Having their understanding darkened, through the ignorance that is in them - So that they are totally void of the light of God, neither have they any knowledge of his will.Being alienated from the life of God - Utter strangers to the divine, the spiritual life. Through the hardness of their hearts - Callous and senseless. And where there is no sense, there can be no life.
4:19 Who being past feeling - The original word is peculiarly significant. It properly means, past feeling pain. Pain urges the sick to seek a remedy, which, where there is no pain, is little thought of. Have given themselves up - Freely, of their own accord. Lasciviousness is but one branch of uncleanness, which implies impurity of every kind.