Matthew 21:23-27, The Authority of Jesus Questioned

23 And when he entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came up to him as he was teaching, and said, “By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?” 24 Jesus answered them, “I also will ask you one question, and if you tell me the answer, then I also will tell you by what authority I do these things. 25 The baptism of John, from where did it come? From heaven or from man?” And they discussed it among themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say to us, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ 26 But if we say, ‘From man,’ we are afraid of the crowd, for they all hold that John was a prophet.” 27 So they answered Jesus, “We do not know.” And he said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.

Comments

The members of the Sanhedrin—the elders and chief priests—approached Jesus in the Court of the Gentiles. We learn nothing of his teaching but of his deepening confrontation with the religious authorities. Jesus asked these men a counter-question, which was an approved Rabbinic method of debate. Having failed to provide an official declaration on John, they forfeited the right to continue debating publicly with Jesus. He ended the discussion.

Prayer

O my sweet Savior Christ, which in thine undeserved love towards mankind so kindly wouldst suffer the painful death of the cross, suffer me not to be cold nor lukewarm in love again towards thee.

(Sir Thomas More, 1487-1535)