Single lesson
Jesus' Authority Is Questioned
Matthew 21:23–27; Mark 11:27–33; Luke 20:1–8
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.
Before you teach
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.
Explain the central teaching of Jesus' Authority Is Questioned, using two details from the reading. This passage shows that the leaders’ question about Jesus’ authority is tied to whether they will answer truthfully about John’s baptism.
Welcome: Jesus' Authority Is Questioned
5 minIntroduce “Jesus' Authority Is Questioned” and locate Matthew 21:23–27; Mark 11:27–33; Luke 20:1–8. This passage shows that the leaders’ question about Jesus’ authority is tied to whether they will answer truthfully about John’s baptism. Invite each learner to name a detail or question they will listen for.
Matthew 21:23, Mark 11:32, Luke 20:8
Read and explain the passage
12 minJesus 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?
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.
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 selected verses together, pausing at “Jesus' Authority Is Questioned”. Use the source reading below and check the explanation against the words of the passage.
Matthew 21:23, Mark 11:27, Mark 11:28, Luke 20:1, Luke 20:2, Matthew 21:25, Matthew 21:26, Mark 11:31, Mark 11:32, Luke 20:5, Luke 20:6, Matthew 21:27, Mark 11:33, Luke 20:7, Luke 20:8
Discuss the details and their meaning
8 minUse the three questions below. Begin with “Why does Jesus bring up John’s baptism when asked about his own authority?” and allow time to find the supporting verses. This passage shows that the leaders’ question about Jesus’ authority is tied to whether they will answer truthfully about John’s baptism. Ask learners to explain which details support their answer and to identify a question they would like to explore further.
Matthew 21:24, Matthew 21:25, Mark 11:29, Mark 11:30, Luke 20:3, Luke 20:4, Matthew 21:26, Mark 11:31, Mark 11:32, Luke 20:5, Luke 20:6, Matthew 21:27, Mark 11:33, Luke 20:7, Luke 20:8
Make and respond: Read and respond sheet
12 minWork on “Jesus' Authority Is Questioned: Read and respond sheet”. Follow the materials and steps below, using “Jesus' Authority Is Questioned” as reading headings. Each learner should include at least two accurate details and their verse references. Share one observation from the finished sheet and explain how it connects with the central teaching.
Matthew 21:23, Mark 11:32, Luke 20:8
Closing: return to Jesus' Authority Is Questioned
3 minRevisit Matthew 21:23–27; Mark 11:27–33; Luke 20:1–8. Invite a learner to summarise what the group has learned about Jesus' Authority Is Questioned and another to support the summary with a verse. Give learners a moment to complete their response sheet. They can share a question or, if appropriate for the group, join the optional prayer.
Matthew 21:23, Mark 11:32, Luke 20:8
Questions to explore
Why 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.
Matthew 21:24, Matthew 21:25, Mark 11:29, Mark 11:30, Luke 20:3, Luke 20:4
What 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.
Matthew 21:25, Matthew 21:26, Mark 11:31, Mark 11:32, Luke 20:5, Luke 20:6
What 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.
Matthew 21:27, Mark 11:33, Luke 20:7, Luke 20:8
Make, think or respond
Jesus' Authority Is Questioned: Read and respond sheet
What you’ll need
- plain paper or card
- pencils or pens
- a Bible or the source reading on this page
Try it together
- Fold a sheet into three panels or draw three columns. Label them “A key statement”, “A supporting detail”, “A question to discuss”.
- Read Matthew 21:23–27; Mark 11:27–33; Luke 20:1–8. Use “Jesus' Authority Is Questioned” as your reading headings and add a short quotation or detail with its verse reference to each panel.
- Compare your notes with a partner. Check that every quotation is accurate and every conclusion has support in the passage.
- Write one sentence explaining the passage, using a detail from your sheet as evidence.
The finished sheet keeps the details of Jesus' Authority Is Questioned connected to their Bible references and gives the group a way to explain what they noticed.
Adapt for your group
- For learners who need more support, prepare the reading headings “Jesus' Authority Is Questioned” and let them match short quotations to the correct heading.
- For confident readers, compare two sections of Matthew 21:23–27; Mark 11:27–33; Luke 20:1–8. Ask for a written explanation with two supporting references and one question that the text leaves open.
An optional closing prayer
“God, help us listen carefully as we read Matthew 21:23–27; Mark 11:27–33; Luke 20:1–8. Help us understand what we have read, ask thoughtful questions and respond with care for others. Amen.”
Read the Bible passage World English Bible Classic
Matthew 21
23 When 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?”
24 Jesus 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.
25 The 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?’
26 But if we say, ‘From men,’ we fear the multitude, for all hold John as a prophet.”
27 They 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 They came again to Jerusalem, and as he was walking in the temple, the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders came to him,
28 and they began saying to him, “By what authority do you do these things? Or who gave you this authority to do these things?”
29 Jesus said to them, “I 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 They reasoned with themselves, saying, “If we should say, ‘From heaven;’ he will say, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’
32 If we should say, ‘From men’ ”—they feared the people, for all held John to really be a prophet.
33 They 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 On 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.
2 They asked him, “Tell us: by what authority do you do these things? Or who is giving you this authority?”
3 He answered them, “I also will ask you one question. Tell me:
4 the baptism of John, was it from heaven, or from men?”
5 They reasoned with themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say, ‘Why didn’t you believe him?’
6 But if we say, ‘From men,’ all the people will stone us, for they are persuaded that John was a prophet.”
7 They answered that they didn’t know where it was from.
8 Jesus said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.”
World English Bible Classic. Public domain.