Matthew 21:23-27 - Jesus' Authority Challenged

²³ Then Jesus went into the Temple. While he was teaching, the high priests and the elders of the people came to him and asked, "By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?"

²⁴ Jesus answered them, "I, too, will ask you one question. If you answer it for me, I will also tell you by what authority I am doing these things. ²⁵ Where did John's authority to baptize come from? From heaven or from humans?" ²⁶ They began discussing this among themselves: "If we say, "From heaven,' he will ask us, "Then why didn't you believe him?' But if we say, "From humans,' we are afraid of the crowd, because everyone regards John as a prophet." ²⁷ So they told Jesus, "We don't know." He in turn told them, "Then I won't tell you by what authority I am doing these things."

²⁷ Then they went into Jerusalem again. While Jesus was walking in the Temple, the high priests, the scribes, and the elders came to him ²⁸ and asked him, "By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority to do them?"

²⁹ Jesus told them, "I'll ask you one question. Answer me, and then I'll tell you by what authority I'm doing these things. ³⁰ Was John's authority to baptize from heaven or from humans? Answer me."

³¹ They began discussing this among themselves. "If we say, "From heaven,' he'll say, "Then why didn't you believe him?' ³² But if we say, "From humans'"?" They were afraid of the crowd, because everyone really thought John was a prophet. ³³ So they answered Jesus, "We don't know." Then Jesus told them, "Then I won't tell you by what authority I'm doing these things."

¹ One day, while Jesus was teaching the people in the Temple and telling them the good news, the high priests and the scribes came with the elders ² and asked him, "Tell us: By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?"

³ He answered them, "I, too, will ask you a question. Tell me: ⁴ Was John's authority to baptize from heaven or from humans?"

⁵ They discussed this among themselves: "If we say, "From heaven,' he will ask, "Then why didn't you believe him?' ⁶ But if we say, "From humans,' all the people will stone us to death, because they are convinced that John was a prophet."

⁷ So they answered that they didn't know where it was from.

⁸ Then Jesus told them, "Then I won't tell you by what authority I'm doing these things."