Matthew 21:23-27 ▼

23 When he had 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 do these things? Who gave you this authority?|

24 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.

25 The baptism of John, where was it from? From heaven or from people?| They reasoned with themselves, saying, |If we say, 'From heaven,' he will ask us, 'Why then did you not believe him?'

26 But if we say, 'From people,' we fear the crowd, for all hold John as a prophet.|

27 They answered Jesus, and said, |We do not know.| He also said to them, |Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.