Luke 20:1-8 ▼

1 On one of the days, as Jesus was instructing the people in the temple [area] and preaching the good news (gospel), the chief priests and the scribes along with the elders confronted Him,

2 and said to Him, “Tell us by what kind of authority You are doing these things? Or who is the one who gave You this authority?”

3 Jesus replied, “I will also ask you a question. You tell Me:

4 The baptism of John [the Baptist]—was it from heaven [that is, ordained by God] or from men?”

5 They discussed and debated it among themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will say, ‘Why did you not believe him?’

6 But if we say, ‘From men,’ all the people will stone us to death, for they are firmly convinced that John was a prophet.”

7 So they replied that they did not know from where it came.

8 Then Jesus said to them, “Nor am I telling you by what [kind of] authority I do these things.”