Matthew 21:23-27 - Jesus' Authority Challenged

²³ And when he was come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came unto him as he was teaching, and said, "By what authority doest thou these things? And who gave thee this power?"

²⁴ Jesus answered, and said unto them, "I also will ask of you a certain question, which, if ye assoil me, I in like wise will tell you by what authority I do these things. ²⁵ The baptism of John: whence was it? From heaven, or of men?" Then they reasoned among themselves, saying, "If we shall say from heaven; he will say unto us, 'Why did ye not then believe him?' ²⁶ But and if we shall say of men; then fear we the people. For all men held John as a prophet." ²⁷ And they answered Jesus, and said, "We cannot tell." And he likewise said unto them, "Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.

²⁷ And they came again to Jerusalem. And as he walked in the temple, there came to him the high priests, and the scribes, and the elders, ²⁸ and said unto him, "By what authority doest thou these things? And who gave thee this authority, to do these things?"

²⁹ Jesus answered, and said unto them, "I will also ask of you a certain thing, and answer ye 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 thought in themselves, saying, "If we shall say, 'From heaven,' he will say, 'Why then did ye not believe him?' ³² But if we shall say, 'Of men,' then fear we the people. For all men counted John, that he was a very prophet." ³³ And they answered, and said unto Jesus, "We cannot tell." And Jesus answered, and said unto them, "Neither will I tell you, by what authority I do these things."

¹ And it fortuned, in one of those days, as he taught the people in the temple; and preached the gospel; the high priests and the scribes came unto him with the elders, ² And spake unto him, saying, "Tell us by what authority thou doest these things? Either, who is he that gave thee this authority?"

³ He answered and said unto them, "I also will ask you a question: and answer me. ⁴ The baptism of John: was it from heaven, or of men?"

⁵ And they thought within themselves saying, "If we shall say. 'From heaven,' he will say, 'Why then believed ye him not?' ⁶ But and if we shall say, 'Of men,' all the people will stone us. For they surely be persuaded that John is a prophet."

⁷ And they answered that they could not tell whence it was.

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