Matthew 21:24
◄  Matthew 21:24  ►
New International Version (©2011)
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.

New Living Translation (©2007)
"I'll tell you by what authority I do these things if you answer one question," Jesus replied.

English Standard Version (©2001)
Jesus answered them, “I also will ask you one question, and if you tell me the answer, then I also will tell you by what authority I do these things.

New American Standard Bible (©1995)
Jesus said to them, "I will also ask you one thing, which if you tell Me, I will also tell you by what authority I do these things.

King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.)
And Jesus answered and said unto them, I also will ask you one thing, which if ye tell me, I in like wise will tell you by what authority I do these things.

Holman Christian Standard Bible (©2009)
Jesus answered them, "I will also ask you one question, and if you answer it for Me, then I will tell you by what authority I do these things.

International Standard Version (©2012)
Jesus answered them, "I, too, will ask you one question. If you answer it for me, I will also tell you by what authority I am doing these things.

NET Bible (©2006)
Jesus answered them, "I will also ask you one question. If you answer me then I will also tell you by what authority I do these things.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English (©2010)
Yeshua answered and said to them, “I also shall ask you something and if you will tell me, I shall also tell you by what authority I do these things.”

GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995)
Jesus answered them, "I, too, have a question for you. If you answer it for me, I'll tell you why I have the right to do these things.

King James 2000 Bible (©2003)
And Jesus answered and said unto them, I also will ask you one thing, which if you tell me, I likewise will tell you by what authority I do these things.

American King James Version
And Jesus answered and said to them, I also will ask you one thing, which if you tell me, I in like wise will tell you by what authority I do these things.

American Standard Version
And Jesus answered and said unto them, I also will ask you one question, which if ye tell me, I likewise will tell you by what authority I do these things.

Douay-Rheims Bible
Jesus answering, said to them: I also will ask you one word, which if you shall tell me, I will also tell you by what authority I do these things.

Darby Bible Translation
And Jesus answering said to them, I also will ask you one thing, which if ye tell me, I also will tell you by what authority I do these things:

English Revised Version
And Jesus answered and said unto them, I also will ask you one question, which if ye tell me, I likewise will tell you by what authority I do these things.

Webster's Bible Translation
And Jesus answered and said to them, I also will ask you one thing, which if ye tell me, I also will tell you by what authority I do these things.

Weymouth New Testament
"And I also have a question to ask *you*," replied Jesus, "and if you answer me, I in turn will tell you by what authority I do these things.

World English Bible
Jesus answered them, "I also will ask you one question, which if you tell me, I likewise will tell you by what authority I do these things.

Young's Literal Translation
And Jesus answering said to them, 'I will ask you -- I also -- one word, which if ye may tell me, I also will tell you by what authority I do these things;

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

21:23-27 As our Lord now openly appeared as the Messiah, the chief priests and scribes were much offended, especially because he exposed and removed the abuses they encouraged. Our Lord asked what they thought of John's ministry and baptism. Many are more afraid of the shame of lying than of the sin, and therefore scruple not to speak what they know to be false, as to their own thoughts, affections, and intentions, or their remembering and forgetting. Our Lord refused to answer their inquiry. It is best to shun needless disputes with wicked opposers.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 24. - I also will ask you one thing; λόγον ἕνα: one word, question. Jesus does not reply directly to their insidious demand. He might have asserted his Divine mission, and appealed to his miracles in confirmation of such claim, which would have been in strict conformity with the old, established rule for discriminating false and true prophets (see Deuteronomy 18:22; Jeremiah 28:9); but he knew too well their scepticism and malice and inveterate prejudice to lay stress on this allegation at the present moment. Before he satisfied their inquiry, he must have their opinion concerning one whom they had received as a prophet a few years ago, and whose memory was still held in the highest respect, John the Baptist. The manner in which they regarded him and his testimony would enable them to answer their own interrogation.

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

And Jesus answered and said unto them,.... Not by replying directly to their question, but by putting another question to them, whereby he escaped the snare he saw they laid for him:

I also will ask you one thing, word, or question,

which if ye tell me; honestly, and plainly answer to it,

I likewise will tell you by what authority I do these things: which was putting the thing upon such a foot, and in such a form, as they could not well object to; for Christ promises, that if they would return a plain answer to the question he had to put to them, and which was no unreasonable, nor impertinent one, he would thoroughly satisfy them in this point; and expressly declare his commission and authority, what it was, and from whence he had it. The question is as follows:

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

24. And Jesus answered and said unto them, I also will ask you one thing, &c.

Matthew 21:24 Parallel Commentaries

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Jesus' Authority Challenged
23And when he was come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him as he was teaching, and said, By what authority do you these things? and who gave you this authority? 24And Jesus answered and said to them, I also will ask you one thing, which if you tell me, I in like wise will tell you by what authority I do these things. 25The baptism of John, from where was it? from heaven, or of men? And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say to us, Why did you not then believe him? …

Proverbs 26:5 Answer a fool according to his folly, or he will be wise in his own eyes.
Matthew 21:23 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?"
Matthew 21:25 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?'