Christ’s ability to reason

Question to ChatGPT: Give examples that speak about how the Pharisees and scribes had conflict with Jesus but couldn’t win their arguments with him.

Answer: Excellent request — this is a major recurring theme in the Gospels.
The Pharisees, scribes, Sadducees, and other Jewish leaders repeatedly tried to trap or out-argue Jesus but were confounded by his wisdom and authority.

Here’s a list of key verses and passages that show their conflicts and inability to prevail in argument:

🕎 Conflicts with the Pharisees and Scribes

1. Matthew 12:9-14

Jesus heals on the Sabbath; the Pharisees question him about what is lawful.
Result: Jesus exposes their hypocrisy by citing mercy over sacrifice.
→ They are silenced and begin plotting against him.

2. Matthew 15:1-9

The Pharisees accuse Jesus’ disciples of breaking the tradition of handwashing.
Result: Jesus turns the accusation back on them for breaking God’s commandment for their traditions.
→ They have no reply.

3. Matthew 21:23-27

The chief priests and elders question Jesus’ authority.
Result: Jesus counters with a question about John’s baptism — from heaven or from men?
→ They cannot answer and withdraw.

4. Matthew 22:15-22

The Pharisees and Herodians try to trap him about paying taxes to Caesar.
Result: “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”
→ They marvel and leave him.

5. Matthew 22:23-33

The Sadducees challenge Jesus with a question about resurrection and marriage.
Result: Jesus refutes their misunderstanding of Scripture and God’s power.
→ The crowd is astonished; Sadducees are silenced.

6. Matthew 22:34-40

A lawyer (Pharisee) tests Jesus about the greatest commandment.
Result: Jesus answers perfectly, summarizing the Law with love for God and neighbor.
→ No rebuttal.

7. Matthew 22:41-46

Jesus questions the Pharisees about the Messiah being David’s son and Lord.
Result: They cannot answer.
→ “No one was able to answer him a word, nor from that day did anyone dare to question him.”

📜 Parallel or Similar Accounts in Other Gospels

Mark 2:6-12

Scribes question Jesus’ authority to forgive sins.
Result: He heals the paralytic to prove his authority.
→ They are left speechless.

Mark 3:1-6

Healing on the Sabbath; Jesus confronts their hardness of heart.
→ They have no answer.

Mark 7:1-13

Traditions vs. commandments debate (handwashing).
→ Jesus exposes their hypocrisy.

Mark 11:27-33

Authority questioned again.
→ They cannot answer his counter-question.

Mark 12:13-17,18-27,28-34,35-37

Series of debates (taxes, resurrection, greatest commandment, David’s son).
→ All opponents silenced.
See also Luke 20:1-40 for the same pattern.

🕊 Luke’s Summary Verse

Luke 20:39-40

“Then some of the scribes answered, ‘Teacher, you have spoken well.’
And after that they dared not question him anymore.”

⚖️ John’s Gospel Examples

John 7:14-52

Jesus teaches in the temple; the Pharisees and officers are divided.
→ “Never has any man spoken like this.”

John 8:3-11

The woman caught in adultery — an attempt to trap him.
→ Jesus replies, ‘He who is without sin, cast the first stone.’ They all leave.

John 9:13-34

Healing of the man born blind; Pharisees interrogate him.
→ They can’t refute the healed man’s testimony and resort to insults.

John 10:19-21

Division among the Jews — some say he has a demon, others recognize his works.
→ His words confound them.

✅ Summary Verse

Luke 21:15 — Jesus promises his followers the same wisdom he displayed:
“For I will give you words and wisdom that all your opposers together will not be able to resist or dispute.” (NWT 2013)


Here’s a table summarizing the main Gospel passages where the Pharisees, scribes, and other religious leaders argued with Jesus but couldn’t prevail:

# Reference Opponents Main Issue / Challenge Jesus’ Response Outcome
1 Matthew 12:9-14 Pharisees Healing on the Sabbath Shows mercy outweighs ritual They are silenced and begin plotting against Him
2 Matthew 15:1-9 Pharisees & scribes Handwashing tradition Exposes them for nullifying God’s law by tradition No reply
3 Matthew 21:23-27 Chief priests & elders Authority questioned Asks about John’s baptism They cannot answer
4 Matthew 22:15-22 Pharisees & Herodians Paying taxes to Caesar “Render to Caesar what is Caesar’s” They marvel and leave Him
5 Matthew 22:23-33 Sadducees Resurrection and marriage Corrects their error using Scripture They are silenced; crowd amazed
6 Matthew 22:34-40 Lawyer (Pharisee) Greatest commandment Summarizes Law: love God and neighbor No rebuttal
7 Matthew 22:41-46 Pharisees Messiah as David’s Son Cites Psalm 110 — “The Lord said to my Lord” No one can answer; they stop questioning
8 Mark 2:6-12 Scribes Authority to forgive sins Heals paralytic to prove authority They are speechless
9 Mark 3:1-6 Pharisees Healing on Sabbath Asks if good or evil should be done on Sabbath They are silent
10 Mark 7:1-13 Pharisees & scribes Handwashing / tradition Exposes hypocrisy again They cannot refute Him
11 Mark 11:27-33 Chief priests, scribes, elders Authority challenged Returns question about John’s baptism They cannot answer
12 Mark 12:13-17 Pharisees & Herodians Taxes to Caesar Teaches proper allegiance to God and state They marvel
13 Mark 12:18-27 Sadducees Resurrection Refutes with Scripture and God’s power They are silenced
14 Mark 12:28-34 Scribe Greatest commandment Agrees with scribe, approves his insight He answers wisely; no further challenge
15 Mark 12:35-37 Pharisees David’s Son Challenges their limited view of Messiah Crowd hears gladly
16 Luke 20:1-8 Chief priests & scribes Authority questioned Counters with John’s baptism question They refuse to answer
17 Luke 20:20-26 Spies sent by Pharisees Taxes to Caesar “Render to Caesar…” They marvel at His answer
18 Luke 20:27-40 Sadducees Resurrection Refutes with Scripture “They dared not question Him anymore”
19 Luke 20:39-40 Scribes Response to Jesus’ teaching Acknowledge His wisdom “Teacher, you have spoken well”
20 John 7:14-52 Pharisees & officers Teaching authority Speaks with divine wisdom “Never man spake like this man”
21 John 8:3-11 Scribes & Pharisees Woman caught in adultery “He who is without sin…” They all leave
22 John 9:13-34 Pharisees Healing of man born blind Man testifies boldly They cannot refute; expel him
23 John 10:19-21 Jews (divided crowd) Accusations of demon possession Appeals to His works They are divided; some defend Him
24 Luke 21:15 — (summary) Promise to disciples “I will give you words and wisdom none can resist or dispute” Reflects pattern in Jesus’ ministry


We never see Christ refuse to engage with challengers, doubters, questioners, and sinners. He never turned anyone away!

A new question for ChatGPT

Question to ChatGPT: Looking at the rest of the New Testament, what other examples are there where the apostles either debated with others or tell others to engage with others to convince them of the gospel?

Answer: Excellent follow-up — this theme of persuasive reasoning, debate, and defense of the gospel runs throughout the New Testament, especially in Acts and the Epistles.

Below is a detailed list of passages showing the apostles debating, reasoning, or encouraging believers to engage others with persuasion and wisdom — much like Jesus did with the Pharisees.

🕊️ Examples of Apostolic Debate and Persuasion in Acts

# Ref. Speaker(s) Audience / Opponents Context / Action Outcome
1 Acts 2:14–41 Peter Jews in Jerusalem Sermon at Pentecost explaining fulfillment of prophecy 3,000 converted
2 Acts 3:11–26 Peter Temple crowd Explains healing of lame man and calls for repentance Many believe
3 Acts 4:5–21 Peter & John Sanhedrin (priests, rulers, scribes) Defend healing “in the name of Jesus” Council astonished; release them
4 Acts 5:27–42 Apostles Sanhedrin Accused of teaching in Jesus’ name Gamaliel advises restraint; apostles rejoicing after flogging
5 Acts 6:9–10 Stephen Members of the Synagogue of the Freedmen Debates about Jesus as Messiah “They could not withstand the wisdom and Spirit with which he spoke”
6 Acts 7:1–60 Stephen Sanhedrin Gives historical defense of Israel’s rejection of God’s messengers Martyrdom; bold testimony
7 Acts 8:26–40 Philip Ethiopian eunuch Explains Isaiah’s prophecy fulfilled in Christ Eunuch baptized
8 Acts 9:20–22 Saul (Paul) Synagogues in Damascus Proclaims Jesus is the Son of God “He confounded the Jews… proving that this Jesus is the Christ”
9 Acts 13:14–52 Paul & Barnabas Jews in Pisidian Antioch Preaches justification by faith Many Gentiles believe; opposition arises
10 Acts 14:1–7 Paul & Barnabas Jews & Greeks in Iconium Spoke boldly in the synagogue Great number believe despite opposition
11 Acts 15:1–21 Peter, Paul, James Jerusalem council Debate about circumcision for Gentiles Council agrees salvation is by grace
12 Acts 17:1–4 Paul Jews in Thessalonica “Reasoned with them from the Scriptures” Some persuaded
13 Acts 17:10–12 Paul & Silas Bereans Reasoned daily; Bereans examine Scriptures Many believe
14 Acts 17:16–34 Paul Athenians, philosophers Debates in synagogues & at Mars Hill Some mock; others believe
15 Acts 18:4–6 Paul Jews in Corinth Reasoned every Sabbath Some opposed; turned to Gentiles
16 Acts 18:19–21 Paul Ephesus Jews Reasoned with them Promised to return
17 Acts 18:24–28 Apollos Jews in Achaia “Vigorously refuted the Jews in public, showing from the Scriptures that Jesus is the Christ” Many helped by his teaching
18 Acts 19:8–10 Paul Jews in Ephesus Reasoned and persuaded concerning the kingdom of God Some hardened; others believed
19 Acts 24:10–21 Paul Felix the governor Defends faith and resurrection hope Felix trembles but delays decision
20 Acts 25:8–11 Paul Festus Legal and doctrinal defense Appeals to Caesar
21 Acts 26:1–29 Paul King Agrippa Gives personal testimony and gospel defense Agrippa: “Almost you persuade me to be a Christian”
22 Acts 28:23–31 Paul Jewish leaders in Rome “From morning till evening he explained… persuading them about Jesus” Some believed, some did not

✉️ Apostolic Instructions to Engage, Defend, and Persuade

# Passage Author Instruction / Example Summary
1 Romans 1:14–16 Paul Obligation to preach boldly Gospel is power of God for salvation
2 Romans 10:14–17 Paul Need for preaching to produce faith Faith comes by hearing the Word
3 1 Corinthians 9:19–23 Paul “I have become all things to all people” Strategic persuasion for the sake of the gospel
4 2 Corinthians 5:11 Paul “Knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others” Evangelism motivated by reverence
5 Colossians 4:5–6 Paul “Walk in wisdom toward outsiders… let your speech be with grace” Gentle, wise engagement
6 2 Timothy 2:24–26 Paul “The Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but gentle… correcting opponents with meekness” Correction done with humility
7 2 Timothy 4:2 Paul “Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season” Urgent proclamation
8 Titus 1:9 Paul (re: elders) “Able to exhort and refute those who contradict” Apologetic responsibility of leaders
9 Titus 2:7–8 Paul “Sound speech that cannot be condemned” Persuasive integrity in conduct
10 1 Peter 3:15 Peter “Always be ready to give an answer to anyone who asks for a reason for the hope that is in you” Core apologetic verse
11 Jude 1:3 Jude “Contend earnestly for the faith” Defensive apologetics urged
12 Jude 1:22–23 Jude “Have mercy on those who doubt; save others by snatching them from the fire” Persuasion with compassion

🔑 Themes Across the New Testament