Matthew 21:23-27

Chief Priests and Elders Question the Authority of Jesus

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 from men?"

They discussed it among themselves and said, "If we say, 'From heaven,' he will ask, 'Then why didn't you believe him?' 26But if we say, 'From men'—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 Authority of Christ

Have you ever thought about what gives a person authority? In our world, as it was in the time of Jesus, people see authority as being of this world such as managing a company or becoming a leader of a nation.

 

It's true that these people have some authority as did the religious leaders who questioned Christ but the power of Jesus did not come from a worldly appointment nor was he a symbol of status as seen in the above paragraph.

 

Getting back to the story at hand--Jesus could give one of two answers to the Pharisees when they implored him to tell where his authority came from.

 

1. From God - This would be a sure sign of blasphemy and it was not yet time for him to complete his purpose on earth.

 

2. On His Own - If Christ answered this way the crowds would assume that the religious leaders had more authority than God.

 

So, as many times before, Jesus answered their question with a question they could not answer without trapping themselves.

 

Besides, Jesus knew they didn't really want their question answered. They only wanted to entrap him which we will see all through the Bible that never worked. Imagine that!!

 

 

Love in Christ

- Bob