(156) The Authority of Jesus Challenged
Matthew 21:23-27, Mark 11:27-33, Luke 20:1-8
[A]Then they came again to Jerusalem, and He went to the temple, where He taught the people and preached the gospel. As He was walking about in the temple doing this, the chief priests and scribes came to Him with the elders of the people, [B]saying, “Tell us, by what authority are you doing these things? Just who gave it to you?”
[C]Jesus answered them, saying, “I will also ask you a question. And if you tell me the answer, I will likewise tell you by what authority I do these things. [D]The baptism of John, where was it from? Was it from heaven or from men? Answer me.”
At this, they began reasoning among themselves, saying, “If we say ‘From heaven,’ He will say to us, ‘Then why didn’t you believe him?’ [E]But if we say, ‘From men,’ all the people will stone us, for they are persuaded that John was a prophet.” (They said this because they feared the people, for all the people believed that John was indeed a prophet.)
[F]So they answered Jesus saying that they didn’t know where it was from. “We cannot tell,” they said.
Then Jesus answered them, saying, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.”
(156) The Authority of Jesus Challenged
Matthew 21:23-27, KJV
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 authority? 24 And Jesus answered and said unto them, I also will ask you one thing, which if ye tell 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? And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say unto us, Why did ye 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.
(156) The Authority of Jesus Challenged
Mark 11:27-33, KJV
27 And they come again to Jerusalem: and as he was walking in the temple, there come to him the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders, 28 And say unto him, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee 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 with 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; 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 saith unto them, Neither do I tell you by what authority I do these things.
(156) The Authority of Jesus Challenged
Luke 20:1-8, KJV
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 spake unto him, saying, Tell us, by what authority doest thou these things? or who is he that gave thee 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 with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say, Why then believed ye him not? 6 But and if we say, Of men; all the people will stone us: for they be persuaded that John was 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.
[A] Mt 21:23a, Mk 11:27, Lk 20:1 [B] Mt 21:23b, Mk 11:28, Lk 20:2 [C] Mt 21:24, Mk 11:29, Lk 20:3 [D] Mt 21:25, Mk 11:30-31, Lk 20:4-5 [E] Mt 21:26, Mk 11:32, Lk 20:6 [F] Mt 21:27, Mk 11:33, Lk 20:7-8