Whether this priest is trying to ask Abinadi a question he wouldn't know, or whether he is sincerely wondering about the meaning of the scripture, we don't know. At any rate, Abinadi doesn't give the answer right away. He takes this opportunity to call them to repentance (v. 25) and teach them about the Law of Moses. Without this background, the answer will not make sense to them, so he does not finish giving his answer to this question until Mosiah 16. Therefore, Abinadi demonstrates that not every answer should be given immediately. Often, there is wisdom in a delayed answer. The Lord gives us delayed answers to our prayers for the same reason, we are not always ready when we ask.