Read & explore together
Jesus' Authority Is Questioned
In the temple, religious leaders challenge Jesus about his authority. Instead of giving the answer they demand straight away, Jesus asks about John’s baptism and exposes their unwillingness to respond honestly.
Understanding the passage
Understanding the passage
These accounts describe one debate in the temple. Jesus is teaching there, and Luke adds that he is preaching the Good News. Chief priests, elders, scribes and priests come to question him about the authority behind what he is doing. The exchange turns on their view of John.
Matthew 21:23–27; Mark 11:27–33; Luke 20:1–8Main takeaway
This passage shows that the leaders’ question about Jesus’ authority is tied to whether they will answer truthfully about John’s baptism.
Explore the teaching
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01A public challenge in the templeJesus is in the temple when leaders approach him. Matthew says he is teaching, Mark says he is walking in the temple, and Luke says he is teaching the people and preaching the Good News.
Explanation
Jesus is in the temple when leaders approach him. Matthew says he is teaching, Mark says he is walking in the temple, and Luke says he is teaching the people and preaching the Good News. Their question is direct: by what authority does he do these things, and who gave him that authority?
02Jesus answers with a questionJesus does not refuse to engage. He says he will ask one question, and if they answer it, he will tell them by what authority he does these things.
Explanation
Jesus does not refuse to engage. He says he will ask one question, and if they answer it, he will tell them by what authority he does these things. His question concerns John’s baptism and asks whether it was from heaven or from men. The issue is not small or unrelated.
03Their private reasoning shows the problemThe leaders weigh the consequences of each possible answer. If they say John’s baptism was from heaven, Jesus will ask why they did not believe John.
Explanation
The leaders weigh the consequences of each possible answer. If they say John’s baptism was from heaven, Jesus will ask why they did not believe John. If they say it was from men, they fear the people, because the people hold or are persuaded that John is a prophet.
04They say, 'We don’t know'In the end, they answer that they do not know. Jesus then says he will not tell them by what authority he does these things.
Explanation
In the end, they answer that they do not know. Jesus then says he will not tell them by what authority he does these things. The passage leaves the reader noticing that their stated uncertainty follows fear of the crowd and unwillingness to face what believing John would mean.
Read the accounts alongside one another
Keep each reading’s setting and wording in view.
Scroll across to compare the readings.
| Book | Included readings | Explore in this guide |
|---|---|---|
| Matthew | Matthew 21:23–27 | A public challenge in the temple Jesus answers with a question Their private reasoning shows the problem They say, 'We don’t know' |
| Mark | Mark 11:27–33 | A public challenge in the temple Jesus answers with a question Their private reasoning shows the problem They say, 'We don’t know' |
| Luke | Luke 20:1–8 | A public challenge in the temple Jesus answers with a question Their private reasoning shows the problem They say, 'We don’t know' |
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01Why does Jesus bring up John’s baptism when asked about his own authority?
In the passage, Jesus makes their answer about John the condition for answering their question about himself, so the two matters are closely connected.
02What do the leaders’ private discussions show they are worried about?
Their words show concern about being exposed for not believing John and fear of the people’s reaction if they dismiss him.
03What leads to Jesus saying, 'Neither will I tell you'?
They answer, 'We don’t know', and Jesus replies in the same exchange that he will not tell them by what authority he acts.
Read the Bible passages
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Matthew 21:23–27
23When he had 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 do you do these things? Who gave you this authority?”
24Jesus answered them, “I also will ask you one question, which if you tell me, I likewise will tell you by what authority I do these things.
25The baptism of John, where was it from? From heaven or from men?” They reasoned with themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will ask us, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’
26But if we say, ‘From men,’ we fear the multitude, for all hold John as a prophet.”
27They answered Jesus, and said, “We don’t know.” He also said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.
Mark 11:27–33
27They came again to Jerusalem, and as he was walking in the temple, the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders came to him,
28and they began saying to him, “By what authority do you do these things? Or who gave you this authority to do these things?”
29Jesus said to them, “I will ask you one question. Answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things.
30The baptism of John—was it from heaven, or from men? Answer me.”
31They reasoned with themselves, saying, “If we should say, ‘From heaven;’ he will say, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’
32If we should say, ‘From men’ ”—they feared the people, for all held John to really be a prophet.
33They answered Jesus, “We don’t know.” Jesus said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.”
Luke 20:1–8
1On one of those days, as he was teaching the people in the temple and preaching the Good News, the priests and scribes came to him with the elders.
2They asked him, “Tell us: by what authority do you do these things? Or who is giving you this authority?”
3He answered them, “I also will ask you one question. Tell me:
4the baptism of John, was it from heaven, or from men?”
5They reasoned with themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say, ‘Why didn’t you believe him?’
6But if we say, ‘From men,’ all the people will stone us, for they are persuaded that John was a prophet.”
7They answered that they didn’t know where it was from.
8Jesus said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.”