Luke 20:1-8·~1 min

Jesus’ Authority Challenged

Jesus is asked by what authority he acts. He answers with a question about John’s baptism, and the leaders, fearing the people and their own inconsistency, refuse to answer. Jesus then withholds his answer to them.

O¹ne day as Jesus was teaching the people in the temple courts and proclaiming the gospel, the chief priests and scribes, together with the elders, came up to Him. ²“Tell us,” they said, “by what authority are You doing these things, and who gave You this authority?” ³“I will also ask you a question,” Jesus replied. “Tell Me: ⁴John’s baptism — was it from heaven, or from men?” ⁵They deliberated among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will ask, ‘Why did you not believe him?’ ⁶But if we say, ‘From men,’ all the people will stone us, for they are convinced that John was a prophet.” ⁷So they answered that they did not know where it was from. ⁸And Jesus replied, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.”

Section summaryIn the temple courts, the leaders challenge Jesus over authority. He answers with a question about John’s baptism, exposing their caution and refusal to answer. The exchange leaves his authority unspoken by them and unchanged before the people.

Role in the chapterThis opening dispute sets the chapter’s public tension and shows the leaders unable to answer him without exposing their own judgment before the crowd and the temple audience.