In honor of Holy week....Matthew 21:23-27

The Authority of Jesus Questioned

²³ Jesus entered the temple courts, and, while he was teaching, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him. “By what authority are you doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave you this authority?”
²⁴ Jesus replied, “I will also ask you one question. If you answer me, I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. ²⁵ John’s baptism—where did it come from? Was it from heaven, or of human origin?”
They discussed it among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will ask, ‘Then why didn’t you believe him?’ ²⁶ But if we say, ‘Of human origin’—we are afraid of the people, for they all hold that John was a prophet.”
²⁷ So they answered Jesus, “We don’t know.”
Then he said, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.

The elders and cheif priests continued in their indignant way. They questioned JESUS of where his authority came. Who gives you this right to do these things they asked.

JESUS said that he would tell them if they answer but one question. John's baptism, where did its power come from?

They discussed it. They didnt want to anwer the question because either way they would be in the wrong. They did not belive John when he came to pave the way for JESUS and they did not want to incur the wrath of the people that belived John.

So JESUS says I wont tell you then.

The chief priest and elders were so entrenched in their way they could not fathom the power and authority that was in front of their faces. Though they wore the robes and cloths of the church they were men of the world concerned about their status and position. They were proud men who cared little for the people and the wonderful things JESUS was doing for them. JESUS felt no need to honor them with an answer for they couldn't even be honest with him. Today this is true as well. So many so called Christians are so high and mighty upon their soap box that they do not see the truth in front of their faces.