Matthew 21:23-27

International Standard Version

Jesus’ Authority is Challenged^(A)

²³ Then Jesus^[a] went into the Temple. While he was teaching, the high priests and the elders of the people came to him and asked, “By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?”

²⁴ Jesus answered them, “I, too, will ask you one question.^[b] If you answer it for me, I will also tell you by what authority I am doing these things. ²⁵ Where did John’s authority to baptize^[c] come from? From heaven or from humans?”

They began discussing this among themselves: “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will ask us, ‘Then why didn’t you believe him?’ ²⁶ But if we say, ‘From humans,’ we are afraid of the crowd, because everyone regards John as a prophet.” ²⁷ So they told Jesus, “We don’t know.”

He in turn told them, “Then I won’t tell you by what authority I am doing these things.”