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 to Him as He was teaching, and said, By what authority dost thou these things, and who gave thee this authority?

²⁴ but Jesus answered them, I also will ask you one question, which if ye tell me, I will likewise tell you by what authority I do these things. ²⁵ The baptism of John, whence was it? from heaven, or of men? And they reasoned with themselves saying, If we say, from heaven, He will reply, Why then did ye not believe him? ²⁶ But if we say, of men, we fear the people, for they all esteem John as a prophet. ²⁷ And therefore in answer to Jesus, they said, We do not know: and He said unto them, Neither do I tell you, by what authority I do these things.

²⁷ And they come again to Jerusalem, and as He was walking in the temple, the chief priests, and scribes, and elders come to Him, ²⁸ and ask Him, By what authority dost thou these things, and who gave thee this authority, to do thus?

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

³¹ And they reasoned among themselves, saying, If we say, from heaven; He will say, why then did ye not believe him? ³² but if we should say, from men --- they feared the people: (for they they all thought that John was a prophet indeed:) ³³ and they answered and said unto Jesus, We cannot tell. And Jesus replied and said unto them, Neither do I tell you by what authority I do these things.

¹ And on one of those days as He was teaching the people in the temple and preaching the gospel, the chief priests and the scribes and elders came upon Him, saying, ² Tell us by what authority thou dost these things? or who it is that gave thee this authority?

³ And He answered and said unto them, I will also ask you one question, tell me, ⁴ Was the baptism of John from heaven or from men?

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

⁷ And they answered, they did not know whence it was.

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