Matthew 21:23-27 - Jesus' Authority Challenged
23 When he went into the Temple, the chief priests and those in authority over the people came to him while he was teaching. They asked: By what authority do you do these things? Who gave you this authority?
24 Jesus answered: I will ask you one question. If you give me the answer, I will say by what authority I do these things. 25 Where did the baptism of John come from? Was it from heaven or from men? They talked among themselves. If we say, 'From heaven,' he will say, 'Why did you not have faith in him?' 26 But if we say, 'From men,' we must fear the people, because they all recognize John to be a prophet. 27 Therefore they answered: We have no idea. He replied to them: Then I will not tell you by what authority I do these things.
27 Chief priests and scribes approached him at the Temple in Jerusalem. 28 They said to him: By what authority do you do these things? Or who gave you authority to do these things?
29 Jesus said: I will ask you one question. Give me an answer, and I will say by what authority I do these things. 30 The baptism of John was it from heaven or from men? Give me an answer.
31 They thought about it among themselves saying: If we say from heaven he will say why did you not have faith in him? 32 They feared the people. If we say from men the people would not like it because they all thought John was a true prophet. 33 They told Jesus We have no idea. Jesus said to them: I should not say to you by what authority I do these things.
1 One day when he was teaching the people in the temple, and preaching the good news he saw the chief priests, scribes and elders. 2 They said to him: Tell us by what authority do you do these things? Who gave you this authority?
3 Jesus responded: I also will ask you a question. Tell me, 4 The baptism of John was it from heaven or from men?
5 They reasoned among themselves, If we say from heaven; he will say why did you not believe him? 6 If we say from men all the people will stone us. They are persuaded that John was a prophet.
7 So they answered: We do not know.
8 Jesus said: Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.