Jesus's Authority Questioned
Chief priests and elders challenge by what authority Jesus acts. He counters by asking whether John's baptism was from heaven or from men, silencing them.
Parallel Accounts
Berean Standard Bible (BSB)
Could not load verse text.
Could not load verse text.
Could not load verse text.
Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible (BSB), public domain.
All three Synoptics present this exchange nearly identically, one of the closest triple parallels in the Gospels. The minor differences are in framing: Mark and Luke specify the confrontation happened while Jesus was "walking in the temple" or "teaching the people," while Matthew simply says "when he entered the temple."
Follows immediately with three parables of judgment directed at the leaders.
Places the question during Jesus's walking in the temple; the leaders reason among themselves.
Adds that the leaders feared being stoned by the people if they denied John's divine authority.
From the triumphal entry into Jerusalem through the crucifixion and burial of Jesus.
All pericopes