Bible Verse Lookup
Matthew 21:23
Chapter 21
23
The Authority of Jesus
Jesus had entered the temple and was teaching, when the chief priests, the teachers of the law, and the Jewish authorities came to him and asked:
“What authority do you have to act like this? Who gave you the authority to do all this?”
Commentaries
The Authority of Jesus.
Jesus’ actions make the chief priests and elders of the people uncomfortable. They ask him about his authority to enter the city, to purify the Temple, to heal the sick, and to teach. Jesus promises to answer them if they publicly state whether John’s baptism is from God or from men. His accusers are forced to respond (“We do not know”), which humiliates them and reaffirms Jesus’ authority (27). Matthew’s readers understand that both John’s and Jesus’ activities come from God.