Matthew 21:23-27 - Jesus' Authority Challenged

²³ And the chief priests and elders of the people came to Him, while teaching, He having come into the temple, saying, By what authority are you doing these things? And who gave you this authority?

²⁴ And Jesus responding, said to them, I ask you also one word, which if you may speak to me, I also will tell you by what authority I am doing these things: ²⁵ Whence was the baptism of John? from heaven or from men? And they reasoned among themselves, saying, If we may say, From heaven; He will say to us, Why then did you not believe on him? ²⁶ But if we may say, From men: we fear the multitude, for all hold John as a prophet. ²⁷ And responding they said to Jesus, We do not know. He also said to them, Neither do I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.

²⁷ They come again into Jerusalem. And He walking round in the temple, the high priests, and scribes, and elders come to Him; ²⁸ and they said to Him, By what authority are you doing these things? and who gave you this authority that you may do them?

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

³¹ And they reasoned among themselves, saying, If we may say, It is from heaven; He will say, Why did you not believe on him? ³² But if we may say, From men; they feared the people: for all held John that he was a prophet. ³³ And responding they say to Jesus, We do not know. And Jesus says to them, Neither do I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.

¹ And it came to pass, on one of those days, He teaching the people in the temple, and preaching the gospel, the priests, and scribes, along with the elders stood up against Him; ² and they spoke to Him, saying, Tell us by what authority you are doing these things? Who is the one having given you this authority?

³ And responding He said to them, I will ask you one word; and you tell me: ⁴ Was the baptism of John from heaven, or from men?

⁵ And they reason among themselves saying, If we may say it is from heaven; He will say, Why did you not believe on him? ⁶ And if we may say, From men; all the people will stone us: for they are persuaded that John was a prophet.

⁷ And they responded, We do not know whence it is.

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