Matthew 21:27
Parallel Verses
New International Version
So they answered Jesus, "We don't know." Then he said, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.


English Standard Version
So they answered Jesus, “We do not know.” And he said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.


New American Standard Bible
And answering Jesus, they said, "We do not know." He also said to them, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.


King James Bible
And they answered Jesus, and said, We cannot tell. And he said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.


Holman Christian Standard Bible
So they answered Jesus, "We don't know." And He said to them, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.


International Standard Version
So they told Jesus, "We don't know." He in turn told them, "Then I won't tell you by what authority I am doing these things."


American Standard Version
And they answered Jesus, and said, We know not. He also said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.


Douay-Rheims Bible
And answering Jesus, they said: We know not. He also said to them: Neither do I tell you by what authority I do these things.


Darby Bible Translation
And answering Jesus they said, We do not know. He also said to them, Neither do I tell you by what authority I do these things.


Young's Literal Translation
And answering Jesus they said, 'We have not known.' He said to them -- he also -- 'Neither do I tell you by what authority I do these things.


Commentaries
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.

27. And they answered Jesus, and said, We cannot tell—Evidently their difficulty was, how to answer, so as neither to shake their determination to reject the claims of Christ nor damage their reputation with the people. For the truth itself they cared nothing whatever.

Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things—What composure and dignity of wisdom does our Lord here display, as He turns their question upon themselves, and, while revealing His knowledge of their hypocrisy, closes their mouths! Taking advantage of the surprise, silence, and awe produced by this reply, our Lord followed it up immediately by the two following parables.

Parable of the Two Sons (Mt 21:28-32).

Matthew 21:26
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