Matthew 21:23-27 - Jesus' Authority Challenged

²³ And, when he, entered, the temple, the Chief-priests and the Elders of the people, came unto him as he was teaching, saying, By what authority, these things, art thou doing? and, who, to thee, gave, this authority?

²⁴ And, making answer, Jesus said unto them - I also, will ask, you, one thing, - which if ye tell me, I also, will tell, you, by what authority, these things, I am doing: - ²⁵ The immersion by John, whence was it? Of heaven, or of men? But, they, began to deliberate among themselves, saying - If we say, Of heaven; He will say unto us, Wherefore then did ye not believe him? ²⁶ But, if we say, Of men, we fear the multitude, for, all, as a prophet, are holding John. ²⁷ And, making answer to Jesus, they said - We know not. He also, said unto them - Neither do, I, tell, you, by what authority, these things, I am doing.

²⁷ And they come again into Jerusalem. And, as he is walking in the temple, the High-priests and the Scribes and the Elders come unto him, ²⁸ and were saying unto him - By what authority, these things, art thou doing? And who to thee hath given this authority that, these things, thou shouldst be doing?

²⁹ But, Jesus, said unto them - I will question you, as to one matter, and answer me, - and I will tell you, by what authority, these things, I am doing: ³⁰ The immersion by John, Of heaven, was it, or, of men? Answer me!

³¹ And they were deliberating among themselves, saying - If we say, Of heaven, he will say, Wherefore thendid ye not believe him? ³² But, should we say, Of men -- , they were in fear of the multitude, for, one and all, were holding John, in very deed, that he was, a prophet. ³³ And, making answer unto Jesus, they say - We know not; and Jesus saith unto them - Neither do, I, tell you, by what authority, these things, I am doing.

¹ And it came to pass, on one of the days, as he was teaching the people in the temple, and telling the good tidings, that the High-priests and the Scribes, with the Elders, came upon him, - ² and spake, saying, unto him - Tell us, by what authority, these things, thou art doing, and, who, is it, that gave thee this authority.

³ And answering, he said unto them - I too, will question, you, as to a matter, - and tell me! ⁴ The immersion of John, Of heaven, was it, or of men?

⁵ And they deliberated together by themselves, saying - If we say, Of heaven, he will say, Wherefore did ye not believe him? ⁶ But, if we say, Of men, the people, one and all, will stone us, for, persuaded, they are, that, John, was, a prophet.

⁷ And they answered, that they knew not whence.

⁸ And, Jesus, said unto them - Neither do, I, tell, you, by what authority, these things, I am doing.