Jesus’ Authority Challenged

23 And after[fn] he arrived at the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came up to him while he[fn] was teaching, saying, “By what authority are you doing these things? And who gave you this authority?” 24 And Jesus answered and[fn] said to them, “I also will ask you one question. If you tell the answer[fn] to me, I also will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. 25 From where was the baptism of John—from heaven or from men?” And they began to discuss[fn] this[fn] among themselves, saying, “If we say ‘From heaven,’ he will say to us, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ 26 But if we say, ‘From men,’ we are afraid of the crowd, because they all look upon John as a prophet.” 27 And they answered and[fn] said to Jesus, “We do not know.” And he said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.