24.174 | The Question Of Authority | Mark 11:27-33 | God’s Word for Today with Pastor Nazario Sinon

God’s Word For Today

Text: Mark 11:27-33 ESV

27 And they came again to Jerusalem. And as he was walking in the temple, the chief priests and the scribes and the elders came to him,

28 and they said to him, “By what authority are you doing these things, or who gave you this authority to do them?”

29 Jesus said to them, “I will ask you one question; answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things.

30 Was the baptism of John from heaven or from man? Answer me.”

31 And they discussed it with one another, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’

32 But shall we say, ‘From man’?”—they were afraid of the people, for they all held that John really was a prophet.

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

- Mark 11:27-33 ESV

THE QUESTION OF AUTHORITY

As Jesus walking around the temple area, three groups of leaders confronted Jesus – the chief priests, scribes and elders. These people don’t usually unite because of their differing religious and political differences. But, they were one in confronting Jesus – their common enemy.

They asked, “By what authority are you doing these things, or who gave you this authority to do them?” They were upset that Jesus drove the merchants away from doing business at the temple courtyard. They always believed they have the authority in Jerusalem, much more in the operation at the temple. They lost their business.

Jesus in His wit and wisdom, answers them by setting a condition. Thus, He asked them, “I will ask you one question; answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things. Was the baptism of John from heaven or from man? Answer me.”

Jesus had done enough signs and wonders. They saw them and they should have acknowledged that His authority comes from heaven. But, they won’t. They even accused Jesus of performing miracles by the power of Beelzebub or Satan.

Jesus directed them to the ministry of John the Baptist, His forerunner. They also not acknowledged that John’s authority was from heaven. As they discussed how to answer the question, they found out their dilemma. They said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ But shall we say, ‘From man’?”—they were afraid of the people, for they all held that John really was a prophet. So they answered Jesus, “We do not know.”

And Jesus said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.” Jesus did not fall in their trap. Jesus knows that they were not looking for answers but argument. They deflect Jesus' question and refuse to answer. This exposes them as hypocrites and liars. Their influential positions and popularity are more important than standing up for what they suppose to believe (John 12:42). Solomon has warned us in dealing with this kind of people, that is;

“Answer not a fool according to his folly,

lest you be like him yourself.

Answer a fool according to his folly,

lest he be wise in his own eyes.” [Prov 26:5,6]

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