A Question of Authority - Mark 11:27-33

27They arrived again in Jerusalem, and while Jesus was walking in the temple courts, the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders came to him. 28"By what authority are you doing these things?" they asked. "And who gave you authority to do this?"
29Jesus replied, "I will ask you one question. Answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. 30John's baptism—was it from heaven, or from men? Tell me!"

31They discussed it among themselves and said, "If we say, 'From heaven,' he will ask, 'Then why didn't you believe him?' 32But if we say, 'From men'...." (They feared the people, for everyone held that John really was a prophet.)

33So they answered Jesus, "We don't know."
Jesus said, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things."

Hot on the heels of Jesus' entry to Jerusalem and his clearing of the temple comes this account of a confrontation in the Temple.

Those who think they are in charge ask Jesus who has given him the right to do what he has done and to say what he says.

Jesus' responds by asking them about what they thought of John the Baptist, when they cannot give an answer, he states that he will not answer them.

Nice

But what does it mean, what was going on etc.

What are your thoughts as you read this? What questions do you have? What do you not understand?

Post comments.

I'll be back later!

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