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Mark 11:33 So they answered, "We do not know." And Jesus replied, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things."
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And Jesus says to them, "Neither do I tell you by what authority I do these things."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/mark/11.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And they answered and said unto Jesus, We cannot tell. And Jesus answering saith unto them, Neither do I tell you by what authority I do these things.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/mark/11.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />So they answered and said to Jesus, “We do not know.” And Jesus answered and said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/mark/11.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Answering Jesus, they said, “We do not know.” And Jesus said to them, “Neither am I telling you by what authority I do these things.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/mark/11.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Answering Jesus, they said, “We do not know.” And Jesus said to them, “Nor will I tell you by what authority I do these things.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/mark/11.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And answering Jesus, they said, “We do not know.” And Jesus said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/mark/11.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And answering Jesus, they said, “We do not know.” And Jesus said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/mark/11.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />So they replied to Jesus, “We do not know.” And Jesus said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/mark/11.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />So they answered Jesus, “We don’t know.” And Jesus said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/mark/11.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />So they answered Jesus, “We don’t know.” And Jesus said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.” <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/mark/11.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And they answered Jesus and say, We know not. And Jesus saith unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/mark/11.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />and told Jesus, "We don't know." Jesus replied, "Then I won't tell you who gave me the right to do what I do." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/mark/11.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And they answered Jesus and say, We know not. And Jesus saith unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/mark/11.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />So they answered Jesus, "We don't know." Jesus told them, "Then I won't tell you why I have the right to do these things."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/mark/11.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />So their answer to Jesus was, "We don't know." Jesus said to them, "Neither will I tell you, then, by what right I do these things." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/mark/11.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />So they answered Jesus, "We don't know." Then Jesus told them, "Then I won't tell you by what authority I'm doing these things."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/mark/11.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />So they answered, ?We do not know.? And Jesus replied, ?Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/mark/11.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />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." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/mark/11.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />They answered and said to Jesus, "We do not know." Jesus said to them, "Neither do I tell you by what authority I do these things."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/mark/11.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And they answered and said to Jesus, We cannot tell. And Jesus answering saith to them, Neither do I tell you by what authority I do these things.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/mark/11.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />So they answered Jesus, "We do not know." "Nor do I tell you," said Jesus, "by what authority I do these things."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/mark/11.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />They answered Jesus, “We don’t know.” Jesus said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.” <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/mark/11.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and answering they say to Jesus, “We have not known”; and Jesus answering says to them, “Neither do I tell you by what authority I do these things.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/mark/11.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />And answering to Jesus, they say, "We do not know." And Jesus says to them, "Neither do I tell you by what authority I do these things."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/mark/11.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and answering they say to Jesus, 'We have not known;' and Jesus answering saith to them, 'Neither do I tell you by what authority I do these things.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/mark/11.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And having answered they say to Jesus, We know not. And Jesus having answered, says to them, Neither say I to you by what power I do these things.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/mark/11.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And they answering, say to Jesus: We know not. And Jesus answering, saith to them: Neither do I tell you by what authority I do these things. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/mark/11.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And answering, they said to Jesus, “We do not know.” And in response, Jesus said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/mark/11.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />So they said to Jesus in reply, “We do not know.” Then Jesus said to them, “Neither shall I tell you by what authority I do these things.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/mark/11.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />So they answered Jesus, “We do not know.” And Jesus said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.”<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/mark/11.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />So they answered and said to Jesus, We do not know. He said to them, I will also not tell you by what authority I do these things.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/mark/11.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />And they answered and they were saying to Yeshua, “We do not know.” And he said to them, “Neither am I telling you by what authority I do these things.” <div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/mark/11.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />And they answered and said to Jesus: We do not know. And Jesus answering, said to them: Neither do I tell you by what authority I do these things.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/mark/11.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br />And responding they say to Jesus, We do not know. And Jesus says to them, <FR>Neither do I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/mark/11.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />And they answering said to Jesus, We do not know. And Jesus in reply said to them, Neither do I tell you by what authority I do these things.<CM><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/mark/11.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />they therefore gave Jesus this answer, we cannot tell, neither do I, said Jesus, acquaint you by what authority I act thus.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/mark/11.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />So they answered Jesus, "We do not know." "Nor do I tell you," said Jesus, "by what authority I do these things."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/mark/11.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br />And, answering, they say to Jesus, "We do not know." And Jesus saith to them, <FR>"Neither do I tell you by what authority I am doing these things."<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/mark/11.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br />and they answered and said unto Jesus, We cannot tell. And Jesus replied and said unto them, <FR>Neither do I tell you by what authority I do these <Fr><i>things.</i><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/mark/11-33.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/DmwDTC71zvQ?start=3863" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/mark/11.htm">Jesus' Authority Challenged</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">32</span>But if we say, ‘From men’...” they were afraid of the people, for they all held that John truly was a prophet. <span class="reftext">33</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">So</a> <a href="/greek/611.htm" title="611: apokrithentes (V-APP-NMP) -- From apo and krino; to conclude for oneself, i.e. to respond; by Hebraism to begin to speak.">they answered,</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tō (Art-DMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/2424.htm" title="2424: Iēsou (N-DMS) -- Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites."></a> <a href="/greek/3004.htm" title="3004: legousin (V-PIA-3P) -- (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. "></a> <a href="/greek/3756.htm" title="3756: Ouk (Adv) -- No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not."></a> <a href="/greek/1492.htm" title="1492: oidamen (V-RIA-1P) -- To know, remember, appreciate. ">“We do not know.”</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: Kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">And</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ho (Art-NMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/2424.htm" title="2424: Iēsous (N-NMS) -- Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites.">Jesus</a> <a href="/greek/3004.htm" title="3004: legei (V-PIA-3S) -- (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. ">replied,</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autois (PPro-DM3P) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons."></a> <a href="/greek/3761.htm" title="3761: Oude (Adv) -- Neither, nor, not even, and not. From ou and de; not however, i.e. Neither, nor, not even.">“Neither</a> <a href="/greek/1473.htm" title="1473: egō (PPro-N1S) -- I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.">will I</a> <a href="/greek/3004.htm" title="3004: legō (V-PIA-1S) -- (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. ">tell</a> <a href="/greek/4771.htm" title="4771: hymin (PPro-D2P) -- You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.">you</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: poiō (V-PIA-1S) -- (a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do.">I am doing</a> <a href="/greek/3778.htm" title="3778: tauta (DPro-ANP) -- This; he, she, it. ">these things.” </a> </span><div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/21-27.htm">Matthew 21:27</a></span><br />So they answered, “We do not know.” And Jesus replied, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/20-8.htm">Luke 20:8</a></span><br />And Jesus replied, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/21-23.htm">Matthew 21:23-27</a></span><br />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?” / “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. / What was the source of John’s baptism? Was it from heaven or from men?” They deliberated among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will ask, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/20-1.htm">Luke 20:1-8</a></span><br />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: ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/8-25.htm">John 8:25-27</a></span><br />“Who are You?” they asked. “Just what I have been telling you from the beginning,” Jesus replied. / “I have much to say about you and much to judge. But the One who sent Me is truthful, and what I have heard from Him, I tell the world.” / They did not understand that He was telling them about the Father.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/12-38.htm">Matthew 12:38-42</a></span><br />Then some of the scribes and Pharisees said to Him, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from You.” / Jesus replied, “A wicked and adulterous generation demands a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. / For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/2-18.htm">John 2:18-22</a></span><br />On account of this, the Jews demanded, “What sign can You show us to prove Your authority to do these things?” / Jesus answered, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up again.” / “This temple took forty-six years to build,” the Jews replied, “and You are going to raise it up in three days?” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/16-1.htm">Matthew 16:1-4</a></span><br />Then the Pharisees and Sadducees came and tested Jesus by asking Him to show them a sign from heaven. / But He replied, “When evening comes, you say, ‘The weather will be fair, for the sky is red,’ / and in the morning, ‘Today it will be stormy, for the sky is red and overcast.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but not the signs of the times. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/10-24.htm">John 10:24-26</a></span><br />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. / But because you are not My sheep, you refuse to believe.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/22-15.htm">Matthew 22:15-22</a></span><br />Then the Pharisees went out and conspired to trap Jesus in His words. / They sent their disciples to Him along with the Herodians. “Teacher,” they said, “we know that You are honest and that You teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You seek favor from no one, because You pay no attention to external appearance. / So tell us what You think: Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/4-7.htm">Acts 4:7-10</a></span><br />They had Peter and John brought in and began to question them: “By what power or what name did you do this?” / Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers and elders of the people! / If we are being examined today about a kind service to a man who was lame, to determine how he was healed, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/7-28.htm">Matthew 7:28-29</a></span><br />When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were astonished at His teaching, / because He taught as one who had authority, and not as their scribes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/7-14.htm">John 7:14-17</a></span><br />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. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/13-54.htm">Matthew 13:54-57</a></span><br />Coming to His hometown, He taught the people in their synagogue, and they were astonished. “Where did this man get such wisdom and miraculous powers?” they asked. / “Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t His mother’s name Mary, and aren’t His brothers James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas? / Aren’t all His sisters with us as well? Where then did this man get all these things?” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/12-48.htm">John 12:48-50</a></span><br />There is a judge for the one who rejects Me and does not receive My words: The word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day. / I have not spoken on My own, but the Father who sent Me has commanded Me what to say and how to say it. / And I know that His command leads to eternal life. So I speak exactly what the Father has told Me to say.”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And they answered and said to Jesus, We cannot tell. And Jesus answering said to them, Neither do I tell you by what authority I do these things.</p><p class="hdg">We.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/1-3.htm">Isaiah 1:3</a></b></br> The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master's crib: <i>but</i> Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/6-9.htm">Isaiah 6:9,10</a></b></br> And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/29-9.htm">Isaiah 29:9-14</a></b></br> Stay yourselves, and wonder; cry ye out, and cry: they are drunken, but not with wine; they stagger, but not with strong drink… </p><p class="hdg">Neither.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/5-13.htm">Job 5:13</a></b></br> He taketh the wise in their own craftiness: and the counsel of the froward is carried headlong.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/26-4.htm">Proverbs 26:4,5</a></b></br> Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/16-4.htm">Matthew 16:4</a></b></br> A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. And he left them, and departed.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/mark/11-29.htm">Authority</a> <a href="/mark/4-27.htm">Idea</a> <a href="/mark/11-29.htm">Jesus</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/mark/13-34.htm">Authority</a> <a href="/luke/20-7.htm">Idea</a> <a href="/mark/12-13.htm">Jesus</a><div class="vheading2">Mark 11</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/mark/11-1.htm">Jesus rides with triumph into Jerusalem;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">12. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/mark/11-12.htm">curses the fruitless fig tree;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">15. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/mark/11-15.htm">purges the temple;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">20. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/mark/11-20.htm">exhorts his disciples to steadfastness of faith, and to forgive their enemies;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">27. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/mark/11-27.htm">and defends his actions by the witness of John, who was a man sent of God.</a></span><br></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><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF2 --> <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <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> <br /><br /> </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/mark/11.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/mark/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/mark/11.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>So they answered, “We do not know.”</b><br>This response comes from the chief priests, scribes, and elders who were questioning Jesus' authority in the temple. Their answer reveals their unwillingness to commit to a position regarding John the Baptist's authority, as acknowledging it would imply recognizing Jesus' authority as well. This reflects their fear of the people, who regarded John as a prophet (<a href="/mark/11-32.htm">Mark 11:32</a>). The religious leaders' indecision highlights their spiritual blindness and lack of integrity, as they were more concerned with maintaining their power and influence than seeking the truth.<p><b>And Jesus replied, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.”</b><br>Jesus' response is a strategic refusal to engage with those who are not genuinely seeking truth. By withholding an answer, He exposes their hypocrisy and lack of spiritual discernment. This moment underscores Jesus' wisdom and authority, as He does not submit to the demands of those who oppose Him. The phrase "by what authority" connects to the broader theme of Jesus' divine authority, which is affirmed throughout the Gospels, such as in His teachings (<a href="/matthew/7-29.htm">Matthew 7:29</a>), miracles (<a href="/mark/2-10.htm">Mark 2:10-11</a>), and fulfillment of prophecy (<a href="/isaiah/61.htm">Isaiah 61:1-2</a>, <a href="/luke/4-18.htm">Luke 4:18-21</a>). Jesus' authority is ultimately rooted in His identity as the Son of God, a truth that the religious leaders were unwilling to accept.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/jesus.htm">Jesus</a></b><br>- The central figure in this passage, Jesus is questioned by the religious leaders about His authority.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/c/chief_priests,_scribes,_and_elders.htm">Chief Priests, Scribes, and Elders</a></b><br>- These are the religious leaders who challenge Jesus, representing the Jewish authority.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/j/jerusalem.htm">Jerusalem</a></b><br>- The city where this event takes place, significant as the religious and cultural center of Jewish life.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_temple.htm">The Temple</a></b><br>- The setting of the preceding events, where Jesus had been teaching and cleansing the temple.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/j/john_the_baptist.htm">John the Baptist</a></b><br>- Mentioned earlier in the dialogue, his baptism is questioned by Jesus to challenge the leaders' understanding of authority.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/u/understanding_authority.htm">Understanding Authority</a></b><br>Jesus' authority is divine and not derived from human institutions. Believers should recognize and submit to Christ's authority in their lives.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_danger_of_spiritual_blindness.htm">The Danger of Spiritual Blindness</a></b><br>The religious leaders' inability to recognize Jesus' authority highlights the danger of spiritual blindness. We must remain open to God's truth and guidance.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_humility.htm">The Importance of Humility</a></b><br>The leaders' refusal to answer Jesus' question reveals their pride. Humility is essential in our relationship with God and others.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/d/discernment_in_leadership.htm">Discernment in Leadership</a></b><br>Jesus challenges the leaders to discern the source of authority. As believers, we should seek discernment in recognizing true spiritual leadership.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/courage_in_witnessing.htm">Courage in Witnessing</a></b><br>Jesus' boldness in confronting the leaders serves as an example for believers to stand firm in their faith and witness.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_mark_11.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Mark 11</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_'my_sheep_hear'_mean.htm">What did Jesus mean by 'Be of good cheer'?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/can_you_speak_as_if_things_exist.htm">Can you speak of things as if they exist?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_no_external_proof_of_jesus'_authority.htm">Mark 11:27-33: Why is there no clear record outside the Gospels confirming Jesus' authority if it was truly divinely established?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_can_water_become_wine_naturally.htm">How can water instantly transform into wine (John 2:1-11) without violating natural laws of chemistry?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/mark/11.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(33) <span class= "bld">We cannot tell.</span>--Better, as also in <a href="/matthew/21-27.htm" title="And they answered Jesus, and said, We cannot tell. And he said to them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.">Matthew 21:27</a>, <span class= "ital">We do not know.</span> The repetition of the verb "tell" in the English, gives an unreal emphasis which is not in the Greek. The real stress lies on the pronoun "I."<p><span class= "bld"><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/mark/11.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 33.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">We know not</span>. They had seen the life of John. They had heard his holy and Divine teaching. They were witnesses to his death for the truth; and yet they lie. They might have said," We think it imprudent or inexpedient to say;" but for this they had not sufficient moral courage. <span class="cmt_word">Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things</span>. You will not answer my question; neither will I therefore answer yours; because your answer to mine is the answer to your own. "He thus shows," says St. Jerome, "that they knew, but would not answer; and that he knew, but did not speak, because they were silent as to what they knew." Our Lord did thus but mete out to them the measure which they meted to him. <p> <p> <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/mark/11-33.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div><span class="word">So</span><br /><span class="grk">καὶ</span> <span class="translit">(kai)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> </span><span class="str2">And, even, also, namely. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">they answered</span><br /><span class="grk">ἀποκριθέντες</span> <span class="translit">(apokrithentes)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Participle Passive - Nominative Masculine Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_611.htm">Strong's 611: </a> </span><span class="str2">From apo and krino; to conclude for oneself, i.e. to respond; by Hebraism to begin to speak.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[Him],</span><br /><span class="grk">Ἰησοῦ</span> <span class="translit">(Iēsou)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Dative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2424.htm">Strong's 2424: </a> </span><span class="str2">Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“We do not know.”</span><br /><span class="grk">οἴδαμεν</span> <span class="translit">(oidamen)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Perfect Indicative Active - 1st Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1492.htm">Strong's 1492: </a> </span><span class="str2">To know, remember, appreciate. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">And</span><br /><span class="grk">Καὶ</span> <span class="translit">(Kai)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> </span><span class="str2">And, even, also, namely. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">Jesus</span><br /><span class="grk">Ἰησοῦς</span> <span class="translit">(Iēsous)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2424.htm">Strong's 2424: </a> </span><span class="str2">Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">replied,</span><br /><span class="grk">λέγει</span> <span class="translit">(legei)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3004.htm">Strong's 3004: </a> </span><span class="str2">(a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">“Neither</span><br /><span class="grk">Οὐδὲ</span> <span class="translit">(Oude)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3761.htm">Strong's 3761: </a> </span><span class="str2">Neither, nor, not even, and not. From ou and de; not however, i.e. Neither, nor, not even.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">{will} I</span><br /><span class="grk">ἐγὼ</span> <span class="translit">(egō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 1st Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1473.htm">Strong's 1473: </a> </span><span class="str2">I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">tell</span><br /><span class="grk">λέγω</span> <span class="translit">(legō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3004.htm">Strong's 3004: </a> </span><span class="str2">(a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">you</span><br /><span class="grk">ὑμῖν</span> <span class="translit">(hymin)</span><br /><span class="parse">Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 2nd Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4771.htm">Strong's 4771: </a> </span><span class="str2">You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">by</span><br /><span class="grk">ἐν</span> <span class="translit">(en)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1722.htm">Strong's 1722: </a> </span><span class="str2">In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">what</span><br /><span class="grk">ποίᾳ</span> <span class="translit">(poia)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Dative Feminine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4169.htm">Strong's 4169: </a> </span><span class="str2">Of what sort. From the base of pou and hoios; individualizing interrogative what sort of, or which one.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">authority</span><br /><span class="grk">ἐξουσίᾳ</span> <span class="translit">(exousia)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Dative Feminine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1849.htm">Strong's 1849: </a> </span><span class="str2">From exesti; privilege, i.e. force, capacity, competency, freedom, or mastery, delegated influence.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">I am doing</span><br /><span class="grk">ποιῶ</span> <span class="translit">(poiō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4160.htm">Strong's 4160: </a> </span><span class="str2">(a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">these things.”</span><br /><span class="grk">ταῦτα</span> <span class="translit">(tauta)</span><br /><span class="parse">Demonstrative Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3778.htm">Strong's 3778: </a> </span><span class="str2">This; he, she, it. </span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/mark/11-33.htm">Mark 11:33 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/mark/11-33.htm">Mark 11:33 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/mark/11-33.htm">Mark 11:33 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/mark/11-33.htm">Mark 11:33 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/mark/11-33.htm">Mark 11:33 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/mark/11-33.htm">Mark 11:33 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/mark/11-33.htm">Mark 11:33 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/mark/11-33.htm">Mark 11:33 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/mark/11-33.htm">Mark 11:33 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/mark/11-33.htm">Mark 11:33 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/mark/11-33.htm">NT Gospels: Mark 11:33 They answered Jesus We don't know (Mar Mk Mr) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/mark/11-32.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Mark 11:32"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Mark 11:32" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/mark/12-1.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Mark 12:1"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Mark 12:1" /></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>