The people were amazed at his teaching, for he taught with real authority—quite unlike the teachers of religious law.

Amazement gripped the audience, and they began to discuss what had happened. “What sort of new teaching is this?” they asked excitedly. “It has such authority! Even evil spirits obey his orders!”

So I will prove to you that the Son of Man has the authority on earth to forgive sins.” Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said,

giving them authority to cast out demons.

And he called his twelve disciples together and began sending them out two by two, giving them authority to cast out evil spirits.

Pharisees Demand a Miraculous Sign

When the Pharisees heard that Jesus had arrived, they came and started to argue with him. Testing him, they demanded that he show them a miraculous sign from heaven to prove his authority.

So Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them.

The Authority of Jesus Challenged

Again they entered Jerusalem. As Jesus was walking through the Temple area, the leading priests, the teachers of religious law, and the elders came up to him.

They demanded, “By what authority are you doing all these things? Who gave you the right to do them?”

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

“Did John’s authority to baptize come from heaven, or was it merely human? Answer me!”

So they finally replied, “We don’t know.” And Jesus responded, “Then I won’t tell you by what authority I do these things.”