Jesus’ Authority Challenged

(Matthew 21:23–27; Luke 20:1–8)

27 After their return to Jerusalem, [Jesus] was walking in the temple [courts], [and] the chief priests, scribes, and elders came up to Him. 28 “By what authority are You doing these things?” they asked. “[And] who gave You the authority to do [them]?”

29 “I will ask you one question,” Jesus replied, “and [if] you answer Me, I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. 30 John’s baptism—was it from heaven or from men? Answer Me!”

31 They deliberated among themselves what they should answer: “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will ask, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ 32 But if we say, ‘From men’ …” they were afraid of the people, for they all held that John truly was a prophet. 33 So they answered, “We do not know.”

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