Abstract:
This qualitative study using data drawn through content analysis, with an inter coder reliability of 0.37, focused on the questions Jesus asked as recorded in the gospel of Matthew. It addressed two questions: (1) What purposes did Jesus questions serve? (2) What were the effects of Jesus questions? (3)How did Jesus use questions to enhance communication? The 90 or so questions of Jesus addressed to individuals, His disciples, Jewish scribes, Pharisees and elders, and crowds fell into five categories according to purpose: (1) questions to teach or bring out a point, (2) questions to lead to analysis, (3) questions to rebuke, correct , (3) questions to deal with a question, and (5) questions to check . The effects or results of the questions include understanding the point, reversal of argument, wonder on the part of the questioners and listeners, and cessation of attempts to trap Jesus by His words. Jesus reiterated questions with slight modifications, used successive questions that built up to a climax, and used questions that moved from general to specific. Principles helpful for the present-day communicator were drawn from the findings.