Jesus’ Authority Challenged

(Matthew 21:23–27, Mark 11:27–33)

20 One day [as Jesus] was teaching the people in the temple [courts][fn] and proclaiming the gospel, the chief priests and scribes, together with the elders, came up [to Him]. 2 “Tell us,” they said “by what authority are You doing these things, [and] who gave You this authority?”

3 “I will also ask you a question,” [Jesus] replied “Tell Me: 4 John’s baptism—was it from heaven, or from men?”

5 They deliberated among themselves [and] said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will ask, ‘Why did you not believe him?’ 6 But if we say, ‘From men,’ all the people will stone us, for they are convinced [that] John was a prophet.”

7 So they answered [that] they did not know where [it was] from.

8 And Jesus replied “Neither {will} I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.”