Matthew 21:23-27 ▼

23 Then Jesus went into the Temple. While he was teaching, the high priests and the elders of the people came to him and asked, |By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?|

24 Jesus answered them, |I, too, will ask you one question. If you answer it for me, I will also tell you by what authority I am doing these things.

25 Where did John's authority to baptize come from? From heaven or from humans?| They began discussing this among themselves: |If we say, 'From heaven,' he will ask us, 'Then why didn't you believe him?'

26 But if we say, 'From humans,' we are afraid of the crowd, because everyone regards John as a prophet.|

27 So they told Jesus, |We don't know.| He in turn told them, |Then I won't tell you by what authority I am doing these things.|