Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)

The authority of Jesus is questioned

²⁷ Once more they went into Jerusalem. As Jesus was walking in the Temple he was approached by the chief priests, the legal experts and the elders.

²⁸ “By what right do you do these things?” they asked. “Who gave you the right to do them?”

²⁹ “I have one question for you, too,” replied Jesus, “and if you tell me the answer I shall tell you by what right I do these things. ³⁰ Was the baptism of John from heaven, or was it a human invention? What’s your answer?”

³¹ “Well now,” they muttered to each other, “if we say it was from heaven, he will say, ‘Then why didn’t you believe him?’ ³² But if we say it was a human invention . . .” They were afraid of the crowd, because everyone regarded John as a prophet.

³³ “We don’t know,” they said to Jesus.

“Nor will I tell you,” replied Jesus, “by what right I do these things.”