Matthew 21:24 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Jesus answered them, “I also will ask you one question, and if you tell me the answer, then I also will tell you by what authority I do these things.

NIV: Jesus replied, 'I will also ask you one question. If you answer me, I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things.

NASB: But Jesus responded and said to them, 'I will also ask you one question, which, if you tell Me, I will also tell you by what authority I do these things.

CSB: Jesus answered them, "I will also ask you one question, and if you answer it for me, then I will tell you by what authority I do these things.

NLT: I’ll tell you by what authority I do these things if you answer one question,' Jesus replied.

KJV: And Jesus answered and said unto them, I also will ask you one thing, which if ye tell me, I in like wise will tell you by what authority I do these things.

NKJV: But Jesus answered and said to them, “I also will ask you one thing, which if you tell Me, I likewise will tell you by what authority I do these things:

This exchange between Jesus and some religious leaders of Israel was not unusual in its form. Jewish rabbis loved to debate, posing questions to each other, answering questions with questions, and making witty or pointed remarks. They liked to add a competitive edge to their discussions of the law and theology. The pattern of counter-questions and challenges was, itself, nothing new.

Though the conversational style seemed familiar, the stakes were far higher than usual. They had asked by whose authority Christ healed and taught in the temple (Matthew 21:23). Soon, these men will use their authority to condemn Him and hand Him over to the Romans for execution (Matthew 17:22–23). Jesus is fully aware of their motives, yet He responds with deadly seriousness. He would be raised on the third day, despite their efforts—they, however, were facing the eternal judgment of God (John 3:36).

Instead of answering their question directly, Jesus followed His normal pattern and asked one of His own. This time, though, He agrees to answer if they will answer His question. His brilliant request in the following verse will silence them for now (Matthew 21:25). The parables Jesus provides immediately afterwards, along with His other statements, answer the original question, indicating that Jesus acts by the authority of God (John 5:19–24).

Matthew 21:23–27 finds Jesus in the temple as He is challenged by priests and elders. They want to know by what authority Jesus acts. He agrees to answer if they will answer Him: Was John the Baptist's baptism from heaven or from earth? The religious leaders know that if they say he was a prophet, Jesus will ask why they didn't believe and repent. If they say John was not a prophet, though, the people will be upset. They say they don't know. Jesus does not answer their question.

Jesus fulfills a prophecy from Zechariah about the coming of the king to Jerusalem by riding in on a donkey. The people celebrate and praise Him as the Messiah. Jesus drives the marketers and moneychangers out of the temple and heals some people. He curses a fig tree and tells the disciples nothing will be impossible for them with faith. Jesus forces cowardly and hypocritical religious leaders to back down with a question about John the Baptist. He then exposes their fraudulent spirituality with two parables about vineyards. Jesus applies to Himself a psalm about a rejected stone being made the cornerstone by the Lord.

Matthew 21 finds Jesus arriving near Jerusalem after leaving Jericho in the previous chapter. His triumphal entry is accomplished riding a donkey, and to raucous praise, fulfilling a prophecy about the Messiah. Jesus cleanses the marketplace from the temple, heals, and presents lessons about faith and Israel's failed leadership. This leads into further conversations which Matthew compiles from Jesus' interactions with the Pharisees.

The Gospel of Matthew clearly shows the influence of its writer's background, and his effort to reach a specific audience. Matthew was one of Jesus' twelve disciples, a Jewish man, and a former tax collector. This profession would have required literacy, and Matthew may have transcribed some of Jesus' words as they were spoken. This book is filled with references to the Old Testament, demonstrating to Israel that Jesus is the Promised One. Matthew also includes many references to coins, likely due to his former profession. Matthew records extensive accounts of Jesus' teaching, more than the other three Gospels.