Luke 20:8
New International Version
Jesus said, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.”

New Living Translation
And Jesus responded, “Then I won’t tell you by what authority I do these things.”

English Standard Version
And Jesus said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.”

Berean Standard Bible
And Jesus replied, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.”

Berean Literal Bible
And Jesus said to them, "Neither do I tell you by what authority I am doing these things."

King James Bible
And Jesus said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.

New King James Version
And Jesus said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.”

New American Standard Bible
And Jesus said to them, “Neither am I telling you by what authority I do these things.”

NASB 1995
And Jesus said to them, “Nor will I tell you by what authority I do these things.”

NASB 1977
And Jesus said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.”

Legacy Standard Bible
And Jesus said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.”

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

Christian Standard Bible
And Jesus said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
And Jesus said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.”

American Standard Version
And Jesus said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.

Contemporary English Version
Jesus replied, "Then I won't tell you who gave me the right to do what I do."

English Revised Version
And Jesus said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Jesus told them, "Then I won't tell you why I have the right to do these things."

Good News Translation
And Jesus said to them, "Neither will I tell you, then, by what right I do these things."

International Standard Version
Then Jesus told them, "Then I won't tell you by what authority I'm doing these things."

Majority Standard Bible
And Jesus replied, ?Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.?

NET Bible
Then Jesus said to them, "Neither will I tell you by whose authority I do these things."

New Heart English Bible
Jesus said to them, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things."

Webster's Bible Translation
And Jesus said to them, Neither do I tell you by what authority I do these things.

Weymouth New Testament
"Nor will I tell you," said Jesus, "by what authority I do these things."

World English Bible
Jesus said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and Jesus said to them, “Neither do I say to you by what authority I do these things.”

Berean Literal Bible
And Jesus said to them, "Neither do I tell you by what authority I am doing these things."

Young's Literal Translation
and Jesus said to them, 'Neither do I say to you by what authority I do these things.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And Jesus said to them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And Jesus said to them: Neither do I tell thee by what authority I do these things.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And Jesus said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.”

New American Bible
Then Jesus said to them, “Neither shall I tell you by what authority I do these things.”

New Revised Standard Version
Then Jesus said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Jesus said to them, Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
Yeshua said to them, “Neither do I say to you by what authority I do these things.”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
And Jesus said to them: Nor do I tell you by what authority I do these things.

Godbey New Testament
And Jesus said to them, Neither do I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.

Haweis New Testament
And Jesus said to them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.

Mace New Testament
Jesus replied, neither will I tell you by what authority I act thus.

Weymouth New Testament
"Nor will I tell you," said Jesus, "by what authority I do these things."

Worrell New Testament
and Jesus said to them, "Neither do I tell you by what authority I am doing these things."

Worsley New Testament
And Jesus said unto them, Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Jesus' Authority Challenged
7So they answered that they did not know where it was from. 8And Jesus replied, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.” 9Then He proceeded to tell the people this parable: “A man planted a vineyard, rented it out to some tenants, and went away for a long time.…

Cross References
Matthew 21:27
So they answered, “We do not know.” And Jesus replied, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.

Mark 11:33
So they answered, “We do not know.” And Jesus replied, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.”

Matthew 21:23-27
When Jesus returned to the temple courts and began to teach, the chief priests and elders of the people came up to Him. “By what authority are You doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave You this authority?” / “I will also ask you one question,” Jesus replied, “and if you answer Me, I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. / What was the source of John’s baptism? Was it from heaven or from men?” They deliberated among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will ask, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ ...

Mark 11:27-33
After their return to Jerusalem, Jesus was walking in the temple courts, and the chief priests, scribes, and elders came up to Him. / “By what authority are You doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave You the authority to do them?” / “I will ask you one question,” Jesus replied, “and if you answer Me, I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. ...

John 8:25-27
“Who are You?” they asked. “Just what I have been telling you from the beginning,” Jesus replied. / “I have much to say about you and much to judge. But the One who sent Me is truthful, and what I have heard from Him, I tell the world.” / They did not understand that He was telling them about the Father.

John 10:24-25
So the Jews gathered around Him and demanded, “How long will You keep us in suspense? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly.” / “I already told you,” Jesus replied, “but you did not believe. The works I do in My Father’s name testify on My behalf.

Matthew 12:38-40
Then some of the scribes and Pharisees said to Him, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from You.” / Jesus replied, “A wicked and adulterous generation demands a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. / For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

Matthew 16:1-4
Then the Pharisees and Sadducees came and tested Jesus by asking Him to show them a sign from heaven. / But He replied, “When evening comes, you say, ‘The weather will be fair, for the sky is red,’ / and in the morning, ‘Today it will be stormy, for the sky is red and overcast.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but not the signs of the times. ...

John 2:18-19
On account of this, the Jews demanded, “What sign can You show us to prove Your authority to do these things?” / Jesus answered, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up again.”

John 5:36-37
But I have testimony more substantial than that of John. For the works that the Father has given Me to accomplish—the very works I am doing—testify about Me that the Father has sent Me. / And the Father who sent Me has Himself testified about Me. You have never heard His voice nor seen His form,

John 6:30-32
So they asked Him, “What sign then will You perform, so that we may see it and believe You? What will You do? / Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, as it is written: ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’” / Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I tell you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but it is My Father who gives you the true bread from heaven.

John 9:29-33
We know that God spoke to Moses, but we do not know where this man is from.” / “That is remarkable indeed!” the man said. “You do not know where He is from, and yet He opened my eyes. / We know that God does not listen to sinners, but He does listen to the one who worships Him and does His will. ...

Exodus 4:1-5
Then Moses answered, “What if they do not believe me or listen to my voice? For they may say, ‘The LORD has not appeared to you.’” / And the LORD asked him, “What is that in your hand?” “A staff,” he replied. / “Throw it on the ground,” said the LORD. So Moses threw it on the ground, and it became a snake, and he ran from it. ...

Exodus 7:9-12
“When Pharaoh tells you, ‘Perform a miracle,’ you are to say to Aaron, ‘Take your staff and throw it down before Pharaoh,’ and it will become a serpent.” / So Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and did just as the LORD had commanded. Aaron threw his staff down before Pharaoh and his officials, and it became a serpent. / But Pharaoh called the wise men and sorcerers and magicians of Egypt, and they also did the same things by their magic arts. ...

1 Kings 18:36-39
At the time of the evening sacrifice, Elijah the prophet approached the altar and said, “O LORD, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day that You are God in Israel and that I am Your servant and have done all these things at Your command. / Answer me, O LORD! Answer me, so that this people will know that You, the LORD, are God, and that You have turned their hearts back again.” / Then the fire of the LORD fell and consumed the sacrifice, the wood, the stones, and the dust, and it licked up the water in the trench. ...


Treasury of Scripture

And Jesus said to them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.

Luke 22:68
And if I also ask you, ye will not answer me, nor let me go.

Job 5:12,13
He disappointeth the devices of the crafty, so that their hands cannot perform their enterprise…

Proverbs 26:4,5
Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him…

Jump to Previous
Authority Clear Jesus
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Authority Clear Jesus
Luke 20
1. Jesus confirms his authority by a question of John's baptism.
9. The parable of the vineyard.
19. Of giving tribute to Caesar.
27. He instructs the Sadducees, who denied the resurrection.
41. How Jesus is the Son of David.
45. He warns his disciples to beware of the scribes.














And Jesus replied
In this passage, Jesus is responding to the religious leaders who questioned His authority. This interaction takes place in the temple courts, a significant location for teaching and religious discourse. Jesus often used questions and parables to engage with His audience, a common rabbinic method of teaching. His reply is strategic, demonstrating His wisdom and understanding of the leaders' intentions.

Neither will I tell you
Jesus' refusal to answer directly is a response to the leaders' insincerity. They were not genuinely seeking truth but were attempting to trap Him. This reflects a broader theme in the Gospels where Jesus discerns the hearts of those questioning Him. His response also highlights the importance of genuine faith and openness to divine revelation.

by what authority
Authority is a central theme in the Gospels, as Jesus' authority is often questioned by religious leaders. In Jewish culture, authority was typically derived from one's teacher or lineage. Jesus' authority, however, comes directly from God, as seen in His teachings, miracles, and fulfillment of prophecy. This authority is affirmed in other scriptures, such as Matthew 28:18, where Jesus declares that all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Him.

I am doing these things
The "things" refer to Jesus' actions, including His teaching, miracles, and cleansing of the temple. These acts demonstrate His messianic role and fulfill Old Testament prophecies, such as those found in Isaiah 61:1-2. Jesus' works are a testament to His divine mission and identity as the Son of God. His actions challenge the existing religious structures and point to the coming of God's kingdom.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Jesus
The central figure in this passage, Jesus is responding to the religious leaders who question His authority.

2. Chief Priests and Scribes
Religious leaders who challenge Jesus, seeking to undermine His authority and teachings.

3. Temple
The setting of this encounter, where Jesus often taught and where the religious leaders confronted Him.

4. Jerusalem
The city where the temple is located and where Jesus is teaching during the final week before His crucifixion.

5. John the Baptist
Referenced indirectly in the preceding verses, as Jesus questions the leaders about John's authority to baptize.
Teaching Points
Authority of Jesus
Jesus' authority is divine and not subject to human approval. Believers should recognize and submit to His authority in all areas of life.

Wisdom in Response
Jesus demonstrates wisdom in His response, avoiding a trap set by the religious leaders. Christians are encouraged to seek divine wisdom in challenging situations.

Fear of Man vs. Fear of God
The religious leaders feared public opinion more than God, leading to their inability to answer Jesus. Believers should prioritize God's truth over human approval.

Discernment in Leadership
Jesus' interaction with the leaders highlights the need for discernment in recognizing true spiritual authority. Christians should evaluate leaders by their alignment with God's Word.

Courage in Witness
Jesus' boldness in the face of opposition serves as a model for believers to stand firm in their faith, even when challenged.Verse 8. - And Jesus said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things. Jesus, on hearing their plea of ignorance, now contemptuously declines to answer the Sanhedrists' question in the direct way they desired, but at once proceeds to speak a parable which unmistakably contains the reply.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
And
Καὶ (Kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

Jesus
Ἰησοῦς (Iēsous)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2424: Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites.

replied,
εἶπεν (eipen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2036: Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.

“Neither
Οὐδὲ (Oude)
Adverb
Strong's 3761: Neither, nor, not even, and not. From ou and de; not however, i.e. Neither, nor, not even.

{will} I
ἐγὼ (egō)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

tell
λέγω (legō)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 3004: (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command.

you
ὑμῖν (hymin)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

by
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

what
ποίᾳ (poia)
Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 4169: Of what sort. From the base of pou and hoios; individualizing interrogative what sort of, or which one.

authority
ἐξουσίᾳ (exousia)
Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1849: From exesti; privilege, i.e. force, capacity, competency, freedom, or mastery, delegated influence.

I am doing
ποιῶ (poiō)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 4160: (a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do.

these things.”
ταῦτα (tauta)
Demonstrative Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 3778: This; he, she, it.


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NT Gospels: Luke 20:8 Jesus said to them Neither will (Luke Lu Lk)
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