Matthew 21:23-27 - Jesus' Authority Challenged

²³ And when he came into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him while he taught, saying, By what authority do thou these things? And who gave thee this authority?

²⁴ And having answered, Jesus said to them, I also will ask you one word, which if ye tell me, I also will tell you by what authority I do these things. ²⁵ The immersion of John, from where was it, from heaven or from men? And they deliberated with themselves, saying, If we should say, From heaven, he will say to us, Why then did ye not believe him? ²⁶ But if we should say, From men, we fear the multitude, for all hold John as a prophet. ²⁷ And having answered Jesus, they said, We know not. He said to them, And neither do I tell you by what authority I do these things.

²⁷ And they come again to Jerusalem. And as he was walking in the temple, the chief priests, and the scholars, and the elders come to him. ²⁸ And they say to him, By what authority are thou doing these things? Or who gave thee this authority so that thou may do these things?

²⁹ And having answering, Jesus said to them, I also will question you one word, and answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things. ³⁰ The immersion of John, was it from heaven, or from men? Answer me.

³¹ And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we should say, From heaven, he will say, Why then did ye not believe him? ³² But should we say, From men? (They feared the people, for all held John that he was indeed a prophet.) ³³ And having answered, they say to Jesus, We do not know. And having answering, Jesus says to them, Neither do I tell you by what authority I do these things.

¹ And it came to pass on one of those days, as he was teaching the people in the temple, and preaching the good-news, the chief priests and the scholars with the elders stood near. ² And they spoke, saying to him, Tell us, by what authority are thou doing these things? Or who is he who gave thee this authority?

³ And having answered, he said to them, I also will ask you one word, and ye tell me. ⁴ The immersion of John, was it from heaven or from men?

⁵ And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we should say, From heaven, he will say, Why did ye not believe him? ⁶ But if we say, From men, all the people will stone us, for they are convinced John is a prophet.

⁷ And they replied not to know from where.

⁸ And Jesus said to them, Neither do I tell you by what authority I do these things.