Jesus Avoided Traps

Mark 11:27 (NET) They came again to Jerusalem. While Jesus was walking in the temple courts, the chief priests, the experts in the law, and the elders came up to him 28 and said, “By what authority are you doing these things? Or who gave you this authority to do these things?” 29 Jesus said to them, “I will ask you one question. Answer me and I will tell you by what authority I do these things: 30 John’s baptism – was it from heaven or from people? Answer me.” 31 They discussed with one another, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say, ‘Then why did you not believe him?’ 32 But if we say, ‘From people – ’” (they feared the crowd, for they all considered John to be truly a prophet). 33 So they answered Jesus, “We don’t know.” Then Jesus said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.”

Pharisees Demand He Explain Himself

“Where did you get your authority?” That is the essence of the Pharisees line of questioning. Since Jesus had recently turned over the tables of the illegal merchants in the temple, that is likely what they were referring to.

He had authority from God. He used it. It was the Pharisee’s authority that was without merit.

Previously, when questioning Jesus’ authority, they accused him of being demonic. He had refuted them with questions they could not answer. Here, again, they demanded an answer. And again, he answered their question with a question, asking if John’s baptism was from heaven or people.

He Caught them in a Dilemma

There was no good way for them to answer and he knew it. He knew their arguments better than they did. And he used it against them.

They consulted with each other and realized they had no answer.

Jesus refused to answer their question as well.