Luke 20:1-8

Modern English Version

The Question of Jesus’ Authority^(A)

20 One day, as He taught the people in the temple and preached the gospel, the chief priests and the scribes with the elders came up to Him, ² and said to Him, “Tell us, by what authority are You doing these things? Who is he who gave You this authority?”

³ He answered them, “I will also ask you one thing. Answer Me: ⁴ Was the baptism of John from heaven or from men?”

⁵ They debated with themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will say, ‘Why then did you not 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 So they answered that they did not know where it was from.

⁸ Jesus said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.”