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 unto him as he was teaching, and said, By what authority do you these things? and who gave you this authority?

²⁴ And Jesus answered and said unto them, I also will ask you one thing, which if you tell me, I likewise will tell you by what authority I do these things. ²⁵ The baptism of John, from where was it? from heaven, or of men? And they reasoned among themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say unto us, Why did you not then believe him? ²⁶ But if we shall say, Of men; we fear the people; for all hold John as a prophet. ²⁷ And they answered Jesus, and said, We cannot tell. And he said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.

²⁷ And they came again to 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 unto him, By what authority do you these things? and who gave you this authority to do these things?

²⁹ And Jesus answered and said unto them, I will also ask of you one question, and answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things. ³⁰ The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men? answer me.

³¹ And they reasoned among themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say, Why then did you not believe him? ³² But if we shall say, Of men; they feared the people: for all men counted John, that he was a prophet indeed. ³³ And they answered and said unto Jesus, We cannot tell. And Jesus answering said unto them, Neither do I tell you by what authority I do these things.

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

³ And he answered and said unto them, I will also ask you one thing; and answer me: ⁴ The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men?

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

⁷ And they answered, that they could not tell from where it was.

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