Matthew 21:23-27 - Jesus' Authority Challenged

²³ And to him, having come into the temple to him teaching, came the chief priests and elders of the people, saying, By what authority doest thou these? and who gave thee this authority?

²⁴ And Jesus, having answered, said to them, I will also ask you one word, which if ye tell me, I also will tell you by what authority I do these. ²⁵ The baptism of John, whence was it of heaven or of men And they reasoned by themselves, saying, If we say, Of heaven; he will say to us, Why, then, believed ye him not? ²⁶ But if we say, Of men; we fear the crowd; for all hold John as a prophet. ²⁷ And having answered Jesus, they said, We know not. And he said to them, Neither do I say to you by what authority I do these.

²⁷ And they come again to Jerusalem : and he walking in the temple, the chief priests, and scribes, and elders come to him, ²⁸ And say to him, By what power doest thou these things? and who gave thee this power that thou doest these things ?

²⁹ And Jesus having answered, said to them, And I will ask you one word, and answer ye me, and I will tell you by what power 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 say, Wherefore did ye not believe him ³² But if we say, Of men; they feared the people : for all held John, that he was truly a prophet. ³³ And having answered they say to Jesus, We know not. And Jesus having answered, says to them, Neither say I to you by what power I do these things.

¹ And it was in one of those days, he teaching the people in the temple, and announcing good news, there came forth the chief priests, and the scribes, and the more ancient, ² And they spake to him, saying, Say to us, by what authority doest thou these? or who is he having given thee this authority?

³ And having answered he said to them, I will ask you one word; and tell me: ⁴ Was the immersion of John of heaven, or of men

⁵ And they reckoned up together to themselves, saying, That if we say, Of heaven; he will say, Why then did ye not believe him? ⁶ And if we say, Of men; all the people will stone us: for they are persuaded John to be a prophet.

⁷ And they answered not to know from whence.

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