Matthew 21:23-27 - Jesus' Authority Challenged

²³ After Jesus had come into the Temple Courts, the Chief Priests and the Councillors of the Nation came up to him as he was teaching, and said: " What authority have you to do these things? Who gave you this authority?"

²⁴ "I, too," said Jesus in reply, "will ask you one question; if you will give me an answer to it, then I, also, will tell you what authority I have to act as I do. ²⁵ It is about John's baptism. What was its origin? divine or human?" But they began arguing among themselves: "If we say 'divine,' he will say to us 'Why then did not you believe him?' ²⁶ But if we say 'human,' we are afraid of the people, for every one regards John as a Prophet." ²⁷ So the answer they gave Jesus was--"We do not know." "Then I," he said, "refuse to tell you what authority I have to do these things.

²⁷ They came to Jerusalem again. While Jesus was walking about in the Temple Courts, the Chief Priests, the Teachers of the Law, and the Councillors came up to him. ²⁸ "What authority have you to do these things?" they said. "Who gave you the authority to do them?"

²⁹ "I will put one question to you," said Jesus. "Answer me that, and then I will tell you what authority I have to act as I do. ³⁰ It is about John's baptism. Was it of divine or human origin? Answer me that."

³¹ They began arguing together; "If we say 'divine,' he will say 'Why then did not you believe him?' ³² Yet can we say 'human'?"--They were afraid of the people, for everyone regarded John as undoubtedly a Prophet. ³³ So their answer to Jesus was--"We do not know." "Then I," replied Jesus, "refuse to tell you what authority I have to do these things."

¹ On one of these days, when Jesus was teaching the people in the Temple Courts and telling the Good News, the Chief Priests and the Teachers of the Law, joined by the Councillors, confronted him, ² And addressing him, said: "Tell us what authority you have to do these things. Who is it that has given you this authority?"

³ "I, too," said Jesus in reply, "will ask you one question. Give me an answer to it. ⁴ It is about John's baptism--was it of divine or of human origin?"

⁵ But they began arguing together: "If we say 'divine,' he will say 'Why did not you believe him?' ⁶ But, if we say 'human,' the people will all stone us, for they are persuaded that John was a Prophet."

⁷ So they answered that they did not know its origin.

⁸ "Then I," said Jesus, "refuse to tell you what authority I have to do these things."