Mark 11:27-33 ▼

27 Then they went into Jerusalem again. While Jesus was walking in the Temple, the high priests, the scribes, and the elders came to him

28 and asked him, |By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority to do them?|

29 Jesus told them, |I'll ask you one question. Answer me, and then I'll tell you by what authority I'm doing these things.

30 Was John's authority to baptize from heaven or from humans? Answer me.|

31 They began discussing this among themselves. |If we say, 'From heaven,' he'll say, 'Then why didn't you believe him?'

32 But if we say, 'From humans'...?| They were afraid of the crowd, because everyone really thought John was a prophet.

33 So they answered Jesus, |We don't know.| Then Jesus told them, |Then I won't tell you by what authority I'm doing these things.|