²⁹ “I’ll tell you by what authority I do these things if you answer one question,” Jesus replied.

³ “Let me ask you a question first,” he replied. ⁴ “Did John’s authority to baptize come from heaven, or was it merely human?”

⁵ They talked it over among themselves. “If we say it was from heaven, he will ask why we didn’t believe John. ⁶ But if we say it was merely human, the people will stone us because they are convinced John was a prophet.” ⁷ So they finally replied that they didn’t know.

⁸ And Jesus responded, “Then I won’t tell you by what authority I do these things.”

²⁴ “I’ll tell you by what authority I do these things if you answer one question,” Jesus replied.

The Lord’s Suffering Servant