Matthew 21:23-27 - Jesus' Authority Challenged

Matthew 21:23-27

23 And after he had come into the temple, the chief priests and elders of the people came to him as he was teaching, and said: By what authority do you these things? And who gave you this authority?

24 Jesus answered and said to them: I also will ask you one thing, which if you will tell me, I also will tell you by what authority I do these things. 25 The immersion of John, whence was it? from heaven, or from men? But they reasoned among themselves, and said, If we reply, From heaven, he will say to us, Why then did you not believe him? 26 But if we reply, From men, we fear the multitude; for all regard John as a prophet. 27 And they answered and said to Jesus: We know not. And he said to them: Neither do I tell you by what authority I do these things.

Mark 11:27-33

27 And they came again into Jerusalem; and as he was walking in the temple, there came to him the chief priests and the scribes and the elders, 28 and said to him: By what authority do you these things? and who gave you this authority to do these things?

29 And Jesus answered and said to them: I also will ask you one thing, and if you answer me, I will also tell you by what authority I do these things. 30 Was the immersion of John from heaven, or from men? answer me.

31 And they reasoned with themselves, saying: If we say, From heaven, he will reply, Why, then, did you not believe him? 32 But if we say, From men, they feared the people; for all regarded John as a prophet indeed. 33 And they answered and said to Jesus: We do not know. And Jesus answering, said to them: Neither do I tell you by what authority I do these things.

Luke 20:1-8

1 And it came to pass, that, on one of those days, while he was teaching the people in the temple, and preaching the gospel, the chief priests and the scribes, with the elders, came to him, 2 and spoke to him, saying: Tell us by what authority you do these things? or, who is he that gave you this authority?

3 And he answered and said to them: I also will ask you one thing, and do you answer me. 4 Was the immersion of John from heaven, or from men?

5 And they reasoned among themselves, saying: If we say, From heaven, he will reply: Why, then, did you not believe him? 6 But if we say, From men, all the people will stone us; for they believe that John was a prophet.

7 And they answered, that they knew not whence it was.

8 And Jesus said to them: Nor do I tell you by what authority I do these things.