What does the Bible say about questioning?
Bible Topic · WEB
The Bible welcomes humble, faithful questioning that seeks truth under God’s Word, while warning against proud unbelief that demands God submit to us. Acts 17:11 commends testing teaching by Scripture, and 1 Thessalonians 5:21 calls believers to examine everything and hold fast to what is good. God invites seekers to ask for wisdom and to pursue him in prayer, as James 1:5 and Matthew 7:7-8 teach. Thomas’s doubts in John 20:24-29 received Christ’s gracious correction and a call to faith. Yet Job 38:1-3 reminds us that God’s wisdom exceeds ours. Christians may bring honest questions to God, trusting that he reveals what we need and calls us to believe his faithful Word.
Top passages, ranked by readers
Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible
- 1 Thessalonians 5:21
Test all things, and hold firmly that which is good.
- Acts 17:11
Now these were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of the mind, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.
- 1 Peter 3:15
But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts; and always be ready to give an answer to everyone who asks you a reason concerning the hope that is in you, with humility and fear:
- John 20:24-29
[24] But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, wasn't with them when Jesus came. [25] The other disciples therefore said to him, "We have seen the Lord!" But he said to them, "Unless I see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe." [26] After eight days again his disciples were inside, and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, the doors being locked, and stood in the midst, and said, "Peace be to you." [27] Then he said to Thomas, "Reach here your finger, and see my hands. Reach here your hand, and put it into my side. Don't be unbelieving, but believing." [28] Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my God!" [29] Jesus said to him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen, and have believed."
- Matthew 7:7
"Ask, and it will be given you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and it will be opened for you.
- James 1:5
But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach; and it will be given to him.
- Matthew 7:7-8
[7] "Ask, and it will be given you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and it will be opened for you. [8] For everyone who asks receives. He who seeks finds. To him who knocks it will be opened.
- Job 38:1-3
[1] Then Yahweh answered Job out of the whirlwind, [2] "Who is this who darkens counsel By words without knowledge? [3] Brace yourself like a man, For I will question you, then you answer me!
- Isaiah 1:18
"Come now, and let us reason together," says Yahweh: "Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow. Though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
- Proverbs 25:2
It is the glory of God to conceal a thing, But the glory of kings is to search out a matter.
Related topics
Go deeper
Ask Explain Bible AI about questioning and get a fuller answer from a Reformed theological perspective.
Ask what the Bible says about questioning