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They demanded, “By what authority are you doing all these things? Who gave you the right?” <a href="/esv/matthew/21.htm">English Standard Version</a> And when he entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came up to him as he was teaching, and said, “By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?” <a href="/bsb/matthew/21.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> When Jesus returned to the temple courts and began to teach, the chief priests and elders of the people came up to Him. “By what authority are You doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave You this authority?” <a href="/blb/matthew/21.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> And of Him having come into the temple, teaching, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to Him, saying, "By what authority are You doing these things? And who gave to You this authority?" <a href="/kjv/matthew/21.htm">King James Bible</a> And when he was come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came unto him as he was teaching, and said, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority? <a href="/nkjv/matthew/21.htm">New King James Version</a> Now when He came into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people confronted Him as He was teaching, and said, “By what authority are You doing these things? And who gave You this authority?” <a href="/nasb_/matthew/21.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> When He entered the temple area, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to Him while He was teaching, and said, “By what authority are You doing these things, and who gave You this authority?” <a href="/nasb/matthew/21.htm">NASB 1995</a> When He entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to Him while He was teaching, and said, &#8220By what authority are You doing these things, and who gave You this authority?&#8221 <a href="/nasb77/matthew/21.htm">NASB 1977 </a> And when He had come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to Him as He was teaching, and said, “By what authority are You doing these things, and who gave You this authority?” <a href="/lsb/matthew/21.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> And when He entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to Him while He was teaching, and said, “By what authority are You doing these things, and who gave You this authority?” <a href="/amp/matthew/21.htm">Amplified Bible</a> When He entered the temple area, the chief priests and elders of the people came to Him as He was teaching and said, “By what [kind of] authority are You doing these things, and who gave You this authority [to exercise this power]?” <a href="/csb/matthew/21.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> When he entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him as he was teaching and said, “By what authority are you doing these things? Who gave you this authority? ” <a href="/hcsb/matthew/21.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> When He entered the temple complex, the chief priests and the elders of the people came up to Him as He was teaching and said, &#8220By what authority are You doing these things? Who gave You this authority?&#8221 <a href="/asv/matthew/21.htm">American Standard Version</a> And when he was come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came unto him as he was teaching, and said, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority? <a href="/cev/matthew/21.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Jesus had gone into the temple and was teaching when the chief priests and the leaders of the people came up to him. They asked, "What right do you have to do these things? Who gave you this authority?" <a href="/erv/matthew/21.htm">English Revised Version</a> And when he was come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came unto him as he was teaching, and said, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority? <a href="/gwt/matthew/21.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Then Jesus went into the temple courtyard and began to teach. The chief priests and the leaders of the people came to him. They asked, "What gives you the right to do these things? Who told you that you could do this?" <a href="/gnt/matthew/21.htm">Good News Translation</a> Jesus came back to the Temple; and as he taught, the chief priests and the elders came to him and asked, "What right do you have to do these things? Who gave you such right?" <a href="/isv/matthew/21.htm">International Standard Version</a> Then Jesus went into the Temple. While he was teaching, the high priests and the elders of the people came to him and asked, "By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?" <a href="/net/matthew/21.htm">NET Bible</a> Now after Jesus entered the temple courts, the chief priests and elders of the people came up to him as he was teaching and said, "By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?" <a href="/nheb/matthew/21.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> When he had come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him as he was teaching, and said, "By what authority do you do these things? Who gave you this authority?" <a href="/wbt/matthew/21.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And when he had come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him as he was teaching, and said, By what authority doest thou these things; and who gave thee this authority? <a href="/wey/matthew/21.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> He entered the Temple; and while He was teaching, the High Priests and the Elders of the people came to Him and asked Him, "By what authority are you doing these things? and who gave you this authority?"<div class="vheading2">Majority Text Translations</div><a href="/msb/matthew/21.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> When Jesus returned to the temple courts and began to teach, the chief priests and elders of the people came up to Him. “By what authority are You doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave You this authority?” <a href="/web/matthew/21.htm">World English Bible</a> When he had come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him as he was teaching, and said, “By what authority do you do these things? Who gave you this authority?” <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/matthew/21.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And He having come into the temple, there came to Him when teaching the chief priests and the elders of the people, saying, “By what authority do You do these things? And who gave You this authority?” <a href="/blb/matthew/21.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> And of Him having come into the temple, teaching, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to Him, saying, "By what authority are You doing these things? And who gave to You this authority?" <a href="/ylt/matthew/21.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And he having come to the temple, there came to him when teaching the chief priests and the elders of the people, saying, 'By what authority dost thou do these things? and who gave thee this authority?' <a href="/slt/matthew/21.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And to him, having come into the temple to him teaching, came the chief priests and elders of the people, saying, By what authority doest thou these? and who gave thee this authority?<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/matthew/21.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And when he was come into the temple, there came to him, as he was teaching, the chief priests and ancients of the people, saying: By what authority dost thou these things? and who hath given thee this authority? <a href="/cpdv/matthew/21.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And when he had arrived at the temple, as he was teaching, the leaders of the priests and the elders of the people approached him, saying: “By what authority do you do these things? And who has given this authority to you?” <a href="/nabre/matthew/21.htm">New American Bible</a> When he had come into the temple area, the chief priests and the elders of the people approached him as he was teaching and said, “By what authority are you doing these things? And who gave you this authority?” <a href="/nrsvce/matthew/21.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> When he entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him as he was teaching, and said, “By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?”<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/matthew/21.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> When Jesus came to the temple, the high priests and the elders of the people came up to him, while he was teaching, and said to him, By what authority do you do these things? and who gave you this authority? <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/matthew/21.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> And when Yeshua came to The Temple, the Chief Priests and the Elders of the people approached him as he taught them, and they were saying to him, “By what authority do you do these things and who gave you this authority?”<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/matthew/21.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> And after he had come into the temple, the chief priests and elders of the people came to him as he was teaching, and said: By what authority do you these things? And who gave you this authority? <a href="/godbey/matthew/21.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> And the chief priests and elders of the people came to Him, while teaching, He having come into the temple, saying, By what authority are you doing these things? And who gave you this authority? <a href="/haweis/matthew/21.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> And when he was come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him, as he was teaching, demanding, By what authority doest thou these things? And who gave thee this authority? <a href="/mace/matthew/21.htm">Mace New Testament</a> When he was come into the temple, the chief priests and the magistrates came to him as he was teaching, and said, by what authority dost thou these things? and who gave thee this authority? <a href="/wey/matthew/21.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> He entered the Temple; and while He was teaching, the High Priests and the Elders of the people came to Him and asked Him, "By what authority are you doing these things? and who gave you this authority?" <a href="/worrell/matthew/21.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> And, when He came into the temple, the high-priests and the elders of the people came to Him while He was teaching, saying, "By what authority art Thou doing these things? And who gave Thee this authority?" <a href="/worsley/matthew/21.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> And when He was come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to Him as He was teaching, and said, By what authority dost thou these things, and who gave thee this authority? <a href="/parallel/matthew/21-23.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hriiyJYqzvc?start=6123" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/matthew/21.htm">Jesus' Authority Challenged</a> 22If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.” 23<a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: Kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">When</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autou (PPro-GM3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">Jesus</a> <a href="/greek/2064.htm" title="2064: elthontos (V-APA-GMS) -- To come, go. ">returned</a> <a href="/greek/1519.htm" title="1519: eis (Prep) -- A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.">to</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: to (Art-ANS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/2411.htm" title="2411: hieron (N-ANS) -- Neuter of hieros; a sacred place, i.e. The entire precincts of the Temple.">temple courts</a> <a href="/greek/1321.htm" title="1321: didaskonti (V-PPA-DMS) -- To teach, direct, admonish. A prolonged form of a primary verb dao; to teach.">and began to teach,</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: hoi (Art-NMP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/749.htm" title="749: archiereis (N-NMP) -- High priest, chief priest. From arche and hiereus; the high-priest; by extension a chief priest.">chief priests</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: hoi (Art-NMP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/4245.htm" title="4245: presbyteroi (Adj-NMP) -- Comparative of presbus; older; as noun, a senior; specially, an Israelite Sanhedrist or Christian presbyter.">elders</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tou (Art-GMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">of the</a> <a href="/greek/2992.htm" title="2992: laou (N-GMS) -- Apparently a primary word; a people.">people</a> <a href="/greek/4334.htm" title="4334: prosēlthon (V-AIA-3P) -- From pros and erchomai; to approach, i.e. come near, visit, or worship, assent to.">came up</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autō (PPro-DM3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">to Him.</a> <a href="/greek/1722.htm" title="1722: En (Prep) -- In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; in, at, on, by, etc.">“By</a> <a href="/greek/4169.htm" title="4169: poia (IPro-DFS) -- Of what sort. From the base of pou and hoios; individualizing interrogative what sort of, or which one.">what</a> <a href="/greek/1849.htm" title="1849: exousia (N-DFS) -- From exesti; privilege, i.e. force, capacity, competency, freedom, or mastery, delegated influence.">authority</a> <a href="/greek/4160.htm" title="4160: poieis (V-PIA-2S) -- (a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do.">are You doing</a> <a href="/greek/3778.htm" title="3778: tauta (DPro-ANP) -- This; he, she, it. ">these things?”</a> <a href="/greek/3004.htm" title="3004: legontes (V-PPA-NMP) -- (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. ">they asked.</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">“And</a> <a href="/greek/5101.htm" title="5101: tis (IPro-NMS) -- Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.">who</a> <a href="/greek/1325.htm" title="1325: edōken (V-AIA-3S) -- To offer, give; I put, place. A prolonged form of a primary verb; to give.">gave</a> <a href="/greek/4771.htm" title="4771: soi (PPro-D2S) -- You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.">You</a> <a href="/greek/3778.htm" title="3778: tautēn (DPro-AFS) -- This; he, she, it. ">this</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tēn (Art-AFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/1849.htm" title="1849: exousian (N-AFS) -- From exesti; privilege, i.e. force, capacity, competency, freedom, or mastery, delegated influence.">authority?”</a> 24“I will also ask you one question,” Jesus replied, “and if you answer Me, I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/mark/11-27.htm">Mark 11:27-33</a> After their return to Jerusalem, Jesus was walking in the temple courts, and the chief priests, scribes, and elders came up to Him. / “By what authority are You doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave You the authority to do them?” / “I will ask you one question,” Jesus replied, “and if you answer Me, I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. ... <a href="/luke/20-1.htm">Luke 20:1-8</a> One 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. / “Tell us,” they said, “by what authority are You doing these things, and who gave You this authority?” / “I will also ask you a question,” Jesus replied. “Tell Me: ... <a href="/john/2-18.htm">John 2:18</a> On account of this, the Jews demanded, “What sign can You show us to prove Your authority to do these things?” <a href="/john/5-43.htm">John 5:43</a> I have come in My Father’s name, and you have not received Me; but if someone else comes in his own name, you will receive him. <a href="/john/7-14.htm">John 7:14-16</a> About halfway through the feast, Jesus went up to the temple courts and began to teach. / The Jews were amazed and asked, “How did this man attain such learning without having studied?” / “My teaching is not My own,” Jesus replied. “It comes from Him who sent Me. <a href="/john/8-28.htm">John 8:28</a> So Jesus said, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and that I do nothing on My own, but speak exactly what the Father has taught Me. <a href="/john/10-24.htm">John 10:24-25</a> So the Jews gathered around Him and demanded, “How long will You keep us in suspense? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly.” / “I already told you,” Jesus replied, “but you did not believe. The works I do in My Father’s name testify on My behalf. <a href="/acts/4-7.htm">Acts 4:7</a> They had Peter and John brought in and began to question them: “By what power or what name did you do this?” <a href="/acts/5-28.htm">Acts 5:28</a> “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,” he said. “Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us responsible for this man’s blood.” <a href="/acts/7-27.htm">Acts 7:27</a> But the man who was abusing his neighbor pushed Moses aside and said, ‘Who made you ruler and judge over us? <a href="/acts/22-1.htm">Acts 22:1-2</a> “Brothers and fathers, listen now to my defense before you.” / When they heard him speak to them in Hebrew, they became even more silent. Then Paul declared, <a href="/exodus/2-14.htm">Exodus 2:14</a> But the man replied, “Who made you ruler and judge over us? Are you planning to kill me as you killed the Egyptian?” Then Moses was afraid and thought, “This thing I have done has surely become known.” <a href="/exodus/3-11.htm">Exodus 3:11-12</a> But Moses asked God, “Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” / “I will surely be with you,” God said, “and this will be the sign to you that I have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, all of you will worship God on this mountain.” <a href="/numbers/16-3.htm">Numbers 16:3</a> They came together against Moses and Aaron and told them, “You have taken too much upon yourselves! For everyone in the entire congregation is holy, and the LORD is in their midst. Why then do you exalt yourselves above the assembly of the LORD?” <a href="/deuteronomy/18-15.htm">Deuteronomy 18:15-19</a> The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your brothers. You must listen to him. / This is what you asked of the LORD your God at Horeb on the day of the assembly, when you said, “Let us not hear the voice of the LORD our God or see this great fire anymore, so that we will not die!” / Then the LORD said to me, “They have spoken well. ...</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And when he was come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him as he was teaching, and said, By what authority do you these things? and who gave you this authority?when.<a href="/mark/11-27.htm">Mark 11:27,28</a> And they come again to Jerusalem: and as he was walking in the temple, there come to him the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders, … <a href="/luke/19-47.htm">Luke 19:47,48</a> And he taught daily in the temple. But the chief priests and the scribes and the chief of the people sought to destroy him, … <a href="/luke/20-1.htm">Luke 20:1,2</a> And it came to pass, that on one of those days, as he taught the people in the temple, and preached the gospel, the chief priests and the scribes came upon him with the elders, … the chief priests.<a href="/1_chronicles/24-1.htm">1 Chronicles 24:1</a> Now these are the divisions of the sons of Aaron. The sons of Aaron; Nadab, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.By what.<a href="/exodus/2-14.htm">Exodus 2:14</a> And he said, Who made thee a prince and a judge over us? intendest thou to kill me, as thou killedst the Egyptian? And Moses feared, and said, Surely this thing is known.<a href="/acts/4-7.htm">Acts 4:7</a> And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this?<a href="/acts/7-27.htm">Acts 7:27</a> But he that did his neighbour wrong thrust him away, saying, Who made thee a ruler and a judge over us?<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/matthew/20-25.htm">Authority</a> <a href="/matthew/21-15.htm">Chief</a> <a href="/matthew/10-17.htm">Courts</a> <a href="/matthew/16-21.htm">Elders</a> <a href="/matthew/21-12.htm">Entered</a> <a href="/matthew/21-15.htm">High</a> <a href="/matthew/21-21.htm">Jesus</a> <a href="/matthew/21-15.htm">Priests</a> <a href="/matthew/19-11.htm">Teaching</a> <a href="/matthew/21-15.htm">Temple</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/matthew/21-24.htm">Authority</a> <a href="/matthew/21-42.htm">Chief</a> <a href="/matthew/26-55.htm">Courts</a> <a href="/matthew/26-3.htm">Elders</a> <a href="/matthew/24-38.htm">Entered</a> <a href="/matthew/21-45.htm">High</a> <a href="/matthew/21-24.htm">Jesus</a> <a href="/matthew/21-45.htm">Priests</a> <a href="/matthew/22-33.htm">Teaching</a> <a href="/matthew/23-16.htm">Temple</a><div class="vheading2">Matthew 21</div>1. <a href="/matthew/21-1.htm">Jesus rides into Jerusalem upon a donkey</a> 12. <a href="/matthew/21-12.htm">drives the buyers and sellers out of the temple;</a> 17. <a href="/matthew/21-17.htm">curses the fig tree;</a> 23. <a href="/matthew/21-23.htm">puts to silence the priests and elders,</a> 28. <a href="/matthew/21-28.htm">and rebukes them by the parable of the two sons,</a> 33. <a href="/matthew/21-33.htm">and the husbandmen who slew such as were sent to them.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/matthew/21.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/matthew/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/matthew/21.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>When Jesus returned to the temple courts and began to teach This phrase indicates Jesus' return to a central place of Jewish worship and teaching, the temple in Jerusalem. The temple courts were a hub of religious activity, where rabbis often taught their disciples. Jesus' presence here underscores His role as a teacher and His authority to interpret the Law. The temple was the heart of Jewish religious life, and Jesus' actions in this setting highlight His challenge to the existing religious order. His teaching in the temple courts also fulfills prophecies about the Messiah bringing new understanding and authority to God's Word.the chief priests and elders of the people came up to Him The chief priests and elders were key religious leaders in Jewish society, responsible for maintaining temple worship and interpreting the Law. Their approach to Jesus signifies a confrontation between the established religious authority and Jesus' emerging authority. This encounter reflects the tension between Jesus and the Jewish leaders, who felt threatened by His growing influence and His challenges to their interpretations of the Law. The presence of both chief priests and elders indicates a united front from the religious establishment against Jesus.“By what authority are You doing these things?” they asked The question of authority is central to this passage. The religious leaders are questioning Jesus' right to teach and perform actions such as cleansing the temple, which He had done earlier. Authority in Jewish tradition was typically derived from lineage, training, or appointment by established leaders. Jesus' authority, however, comes directly from God, which the religious leaders fail to recognize. This question also reflects their inability to understand the divine nature of Jesus' mission and His fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies.“And who gave You this authority?” This follow-up question emphasizes the leaders' demand for a human source of Jesus' authority. In Jewish culture, authority was often passed down through recognized channels, such as rabbinical schools or priestly lineage. The leaders' question reveals their blindness to Jesus' divine authority and their focus on human credentials. This moment foreshadows the ultimate rejection of Jesus by the religious establishment, as they cannot accept His divine mission and identity as the Son of God.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/jesus.htm">Jesus</a> Central figure in the New Testament, the Son of God, who is teaching in the temple courts. 2. <a href="/topical/t/temple_courts.htm">Temple Courts</a> The outer area of the temple in Jerusalem where teaching and discussions often took place. 3. <a href="/topical/c/chief_priests.htm">Chief Priests</a> Religious leaders in charge of temple rituals and maintaining the temple's sanctity. 4. <a href="/topical/e/elders_of_the_people.htm">Elders of the People</a> Respected leaders and decision-makers within the Jewish community. 5. <a href="/topical/a/authority_questioned.htm">Authority Questioned</a> The event where Jesus' authority is challenged by the religious leaders.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/u/understanding_authority.htm">Understanding Authority</a> Recognize that Jesus' authority comes from God, not human institutions. This challenges us to discern true spiritual authority in our lives. <a href="/topical/q/questioning_with_intent.htm">Questioning with Intent</a> The religious leaders questioned Jesus not to learn but to challenge Him. Reflect on our motives when questioning spiritual truths. <a href="/topical/j/jesus'_response_to_challenges.htm">Jesus' Response to Challenges</a> Jesus often responded to challenges with wisdom and truth. We should seek to respond to challenges in our faith with grace and understanding. <a href="/topical/a/authority_in_our_lives.htm">Authority in Our Lives</a> Consider who or what holds authority in our lives. Are we submitting to God's authority as revealed through Scripture? <a href="/topical/b/boldness_in_faith.htm">Boldness in Faith</a> Like Jesus, we should be bold in our faith, even when faced with opposition or questioning.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_matthew_21.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Matthew 21</a> <a href="/q/what's_the_plot_of_jesus_christ_superstar.htm">What is the plot of Jesus Christ Superstar?</a> <a href="/q/who_were_the_bible's_chief_priests.htm">Who were the chief priests in the Bible?</a> <a href="/q/why_can't_jesus_choose_who_sits_by_him.htm">Matthew 20:23 - If Jesus is fully divine, why does He imply He has no authority over who sits at His right and left?</a> <a href="/q/how_reliable_is_luke_20_1-8.htm">Luke 20:1-8: How historically reliable is the account of Jesus questioning the religious leaders when there is limited external confirmation of this exchange?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/matthew/21.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(23) The chief priests and the elders.--St. Matthew and St. Luke add "the scribes," thus including representatives of the three constituent elements of the Sanhedrin. The character of the teaching is further specified by St. Luke, "as He was preaching the gospel"--proclaiming, i.e., the good news of the kingdom, the forgiveness of sins, and the law of righteousness.By what authority . . .?--The right to take the place of an instructor was, as a rule, conferred by the scribes, or their chief representative, on one who had studied "at the feet" of some great teacher, and been solemnly admitted (the delivery of a key, as the symbol of the right to interpret, being the outward token) to that office. The question implied that those who asked it knew that the Prophet of Nazareth had not been so admitted. The second question gave point to the first. Could He name the Rabbi who had trained Him, or authorised Him to teach?<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/matthew/21.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 23-ch. 22:14. - Our Lord's authority questioned: he replies by uttering three parables. (<a href="/mark/11-27.htm">Mark 11:27-12:12</a>; <a href="/luke/20-1.htm">Luke 20:1-18</a>.) Verses 23-27. - First attack, referring to his late actions: and Christ's answer. Verse 23. - When he was come into the temple. The conversation recorded here belongs to the Tuesday of the Holy Week, and took place in the courts of the temple, at this time filled with pilgrims from all parts of the world, who hung upon Christ's words, and beheld his doings with wonder and awe. This sight roused to fury the envy and anger of the authorities, and they sent forth sections of their cleverest men to undermine his authority in the eyes of the people, or to force from him statements on which they might found criminal accusation against him. The chief priests and the elders of the people. According to the other evangelists, there were also scribes, teachers of the Law, united with them in this deputation, which thus comprised all the elements of the Sanhedrin. This seems to have been the first time that the council took formal notice of Jesus' claims and actions, and demanded from him personally an account of himself. They had been quick enough in inquiring into the Baptist's credentials, when he suddenly appeared on the banks of Jordan (see <a href="/john/1-19.htm">John 1:19</a>, etc.); but they had studiously, till quite lately, avoided any regular investigation of the pretensions of Jesus. In the thee of late proceedings, this could no longer be delayed. A crisis had arrived; their own peculiar province was publicly invaded, and their authority attacked; the opponent must be withstood by the action of the constituted court. As he was teaching. Jesus did not confine himself to beneficent acts; he used the opportunity of the gathering of crowds around him to preach unto them the gospel (<a href="/luke/20-1.htm">Luke 20:1</a>), to teach truths which came with double force from One who bad done such marvellous things. By what authority doest thou these things? They refer to the triumphal entry, the reception of the homage offered, the healing of the blind and lame, the teaching as with the authority of a rabbi, and especially to the cleansing of the temple. No one could presume to teach without a proper commission: where was his authorization? They were the guardians and rulers of the temple: what right had he to interfere with their management, and to use the sacred precincts for his own purposes? These and such like questions were in their mind when they addressed him thus. Wilfully ignoring the many proofs they had of Christ's Divine mission (which one of them, Nicodemus, had long before been constrained to own, <a href="/john/3-2.htm">John 3:2</a>), they raised the question now as a novel and unanswered one. Who gave thee this authority? They resolve the general inquiry into the personal one - Who was it that conferred upon you this authority which you presume to exercise? Was it some earthly ruler, or was it God himself? Perhaps they mean to insinuate that Satan was the master whose power he wielded - an accusation already often made. They thought thus to place Christ in an embarrassing position, from which he could not emerge without affording the opportunity which they desired. The trap was cleverly set, and, as they deemed, unavoidable. If he was forced to confess that he spoke and acted without any proper authorization, he would be humiliated in the eyes of the people, and might be officially silenced by the strong hand. If he asserted himself to be the Messiah and the bearer of a Divine commission, they would at once bring against him a charge of blasphemy (<a href="/matthew/26-65.htm">Matthew 26:65</a>). <a href="/commentaries/matthew/21-23.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>When Καὶ (Kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. [Jesus] αὐτοῦ (autou) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. returned ἐλθόντος (elthontos) Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Genitive Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2064.htm">Strong's 2064: </a> To come, go. to εἰς (eis) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1519.htm">Strong's 1519: </a> A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases. the τὸ (to) Article - Accusative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. temple courts ἱερὸν (hieron) Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2411.htm">Strong's 2411: </a> Neuter of hieros; a sacred place, i.e. The entire precincts of the Temple. [and] began to teach, διδάσκοντι (didaskonti) Verb - Present Participle Active - Dative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1321.htm">Strong's 1321: </a> To teach, direct, admonish. A prolonged form of a primary verb dao; to teach. the οἱ (hoi) Article - Nominative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. chief priests ἀρχιερεῖς (archiereis) Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_749.htm">Strong's 749: </a> High priest, chief priest. From arche and hiereus; the high-priest; by extension a chief priest. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. elders πρεσβύτεροι (presbyteroi) Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_4245.htm">Strong's 4245: </a> Comparative of presbus; older; as noun, a senior; specially, an Israelite Sanhedrist or Christian 'presbyter'. of the τοῦ (tou) Article - Genitive Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. people λαοῦ (laou) Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2992.htm">Strong's 2992: </a> Apparently a primary word; a people. came προσῆλθον (prosēlthon) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_4334.htm">Strong's 4334: </a> From pros and erchomai; to approach, i.e. come near, visit, or worship, assent to. to Him. αὐτῷ (autō) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. “By Ἐν (En) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1722.htm">Strong's 1722: </a> In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc. what ποίᾳ (poia) Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Dative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4169.htm">Strong's 4169: </a> Of what sort. From the base of pou and hoios; individualizing interrogative what sort of, or which one. authority ἐξουσίᾳ (exousia) Noun - Dative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1849.htm">Strong's 1849: </a> From exesti; privilege, i.e. force, capacity, competency, freedom, or mastery, delegated influence. are You doing ποιεῖς (poieis) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4160.htm">Strong's 4160: </a> (a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do. these things?” ταῦτα (tauta) Demonstrative Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3778.htm">Strong's 3778: </a> This; he, she, it. they asked. λέγοντες (legontes) Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3004.htm">Strong's 3004: </a> (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. “And καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. who τίς (tis) Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5101.htm">Strong's 5101: </a> Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what. gave ἔδωκεν (edōken) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1325.htm">Strong's 1325: </a> To offer, give; I put, place. A prolonged form of a primary verb; to give. You σοι (soi) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 2nd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4771.htm">Strong's 4771: </a> You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou. this ταύτην (tautēn) Demonstrative Pronoun - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3778.htm">Strong's 3778: </a> This; he, she, it. authority?” ἐξουσίαν (exousian) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1849.htm">Strong's 1849: </a> From exesti; privilege, i.e. force, capacity, competency, freedom, or mastery, delegated influence. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/matthew/21-23.htm">Matthew 21:23 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/matthew/21-23.htm">Matthew 21:23 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/matthew/21-23.htm">Matthew 21:23 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/matthew/21-23.htm">Matthew 21:23 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/matthew/21-23.htm">Matthew 21:23 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/matthew/21-23.htm">Matthew 21:23 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/matthew/21-23.htm">Matthew 21:23 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/matthew/21-23.htm">Matthew 21:23 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/matthew/21-23.htm">Matthew 21:23 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/matthew/21-23.htm">Matthew 21:23 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/matthew/21-23.htm">NT Gospels: Matthew 21:23 When he had come into the temple (Matt. Mat Mt) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/matthew/21-22.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Matthew 21:22"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Matthew 21:22" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/matthew/21-24.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Matthew 21:24"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Matthew 21:24" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>