“One day, as Jesus was teaching the people in the temple and preaching the gospel, the chief priests and the scribes with the elders came up and said to him, “Tell us by what authority you do these things, or who it is that gave you this authority.” He answered them, “I also will ask you a question. Now tell me, was the baptism of John from heaven or from man?” And they discussed it with one another, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say, ‘Why did you not believe him?’ But if we say, ‘From man,’ all the people will stone us to death, for they are convinced that John was a prophet.” So they answered that they did not know where it came from. And Jesus said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.”
Early in my ministry, I remember sitting in a meeting where a decision needed to be made. There were a lot of opinions in the room, and at one point someone finally asked,
“Who actually has the authority to decide this?”
That question changed the tone of the conversation. Because once authority is clear, everything else falls into place.
That’s the question the religious leaders bring to Jesus during Holy Week.
By this point, Jesus has entered Jerusalem, been welcomed by the crowds, and cleansed the temple. He is teaching openly, and people are listening. The leaders see what is happening, and they are not pleased.
So they confront Him.
“By what authority are you doing these things?”
It sounds like a reasonable question. But it’s not really an honest one.
They are not trying to understand Jesus. They are trying to trap Him. If He claims authority from God, they can accuse Him. If He avoids the question, they can discredit Him.
Jesus responds by asking them a question in return—about John the Baptist.
And suddenly, they are the ones on the spot.
They begin to reason among themselves. If they say John’s authority was from God, then why didn’t they believe him? If they say it was from man, the people will turn against them.
So they answer:
“We don’t know.”
Not because they don’t have enough information. But because they are unwilling to accept the answer. And that’s the real issue.
The problem is not a lack of evidence. The problem is a refusal to believe.
That question—“By what authority?”—still matters.
Not just for them.
For you.
Who is Jesus?
Is He just a teacher?
A moral example?
A religious figure among many?
Or is He the One who speaks with the authority of God?
Because if Jesus has authority, then His Word is not optional.
That can be uncomfortable.
Like the religious leaders, we can be tempted to keep control. To listen when it suits us. To ignore what challenges us.
They wanted to have the authority, but Jesus is one with all authority in heaven and in earth.
But the One who stood taught the temple that day is not just claiming authority.
He is about to use it.
Not to condemn. But to save.
Jesus has the authority to lay down His life—and the authority to take it up again. He has the authority to forgive sins. He has the authority to open the kingdom of God.
And He uses that authority for you.
As we continue through Holy Week, we see that Jesus’ authority leads Him to the cross and then raises Him from the dead.
And it’s by His authority and His sacrifice, that your sins are forgiven and you have eternal life in Him.
Let’s pray…
Heavenly Father,
Your Son speaks with authority, yet we often resist His Word. Forgive us for the times we question or ignore what He has said. Give us faith to trust in Jesus, to listen to His Word, and to follow Him. Thank You that He used His authority to save us. Help us to always remember that His authority also means every promise He has made will be fulfilled.
Amen.
As part of your devotion time, I encourage you to also pray for at least some of the following:
After praying for these people, you may want to finish your devotion time with the Lord’s Prayer…
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. They will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory, forever and every. Amen.
In Christ’s Service,
Pastor Kurt
Meeting Address:
27221 Foamflower Blvd.
Wesley Chapel, FL 33544
Ph: (813) 602-1104
Copyright 2025, Faith Lutheran Church, Wesley Chapel. All Rights Reserved.