Matthew 21:23-27
The Authority of Jesus Questioned
23Jesus entered the temple courts, and, while he was teaching, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him. "By what authority are you doing these things?" they asked. "And who gave you this authority?"
24Jesus replied, "I will also ask you one question. If you answer me, I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. 25John's baptism—where did it come from? Was it from heaven, or from men?"
They discussed it among themselves and said, "If we say, 'From heaven,' he will ask, 'Then why didn't you believe him?' 26But if we say, 'From men'—we are afraid of the people, for they all hold that John was a prophet."
27So they answered Jesus, "We don't know."
Then he said, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.
Jesus was questioned by authorities about His authority...He is still questioned today about His authority...
Officials want to know "Who gave Him, His authority...Jesus asks the officials about John the Baptist's mission...He asks them if John's mission came from men or from heaven...John the Baptist was well respected and if they answered from men and not from heaven, the officials would lose some of their popularity and respect...If they admit John was a true prophet from heaven, how could they question His mission and authority...The officials answered they do not know...They do not even give us an opinion on whether John the Baptist was a prophet or just an average man...Because the Pharisees and the teachers of the law would not answer Jesus question, He would not answer there question...
We might infer that the officials are thinking more about their positions and praises from men than they are prepared to answer a question about the spiritual world of John and Jesus...
Our souls, like our bodies-but in a different sense, need nourishment, Spiritual Nourishment...We are often caught up in daily living, jobs, routines and don't give our souls the spiritual food it needs...The religious officials who questioned Jesus also thought very much about their standing in the community and would not answer Jesus question...Our souls need the word of God to grow, as much as our bodies need food to continue its growth...