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Matthew 21:27 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 He 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="/kjv/matthew/21.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And they answered Jesus, and said, We cannot tell. And he said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/matthew/21.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />So they answered Jesus and said, &#8220;We do not know.&#8221; And He said to them, &#8220;Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/matthew/21.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />And answering Jesus, they said, &#8220;We do not know.&#8221; He also said to them, &#8220;Neither am I telling you by what authority I do these things.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/matthew/21.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />And answering Jesus, they said, &#8220We do not know.&#8221 He also said to them, &#8220Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/matthew/21.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And answering Jesus, they said, &#8220;We do not know.&#8221; He also said to them, &#8220;Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/matthew/21.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And they answered Jesus and said, &#8220;We do not know.&#8221; He also said to them, &#8220;Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/matthew/21.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />So they answered Jesus, &#8220;We do not know.&#8221; And He said to them, &#8220;Neither will I tell you by what [kind of] authority I do these things.&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/matthew/21.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />So they answered Jesus, &#8220;We don&#8217;t know.&#8221; And he said to them, &#8220;Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/matthew/21.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />So they answered Jesus, &#8220We don&#8217t know.&#8221 And He said to them, &#8220Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/matthew/21.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And they answered Jesus, and said, We know not. He also said 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/matthew/21.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />So they told Jesus, "We don't know." Jesus said, "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/matthew/21.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And they answered Jesus, and said, We know not. He also said 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/matthew/21.htm">GOD'S WORD&reg; 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/matthew/21.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />So they answered Jesus, "We don't know." And he 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/matthew/21.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />So they told Jesus, "We don't know." He in turn told them, "Then I won't tell you by what authority I am doing these things."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/matthew/21.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/matthew/21.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />So they answered Jesus, "We don't know." Then he 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/matthew/21.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />They answered Jesus, and said, "We do not know." He also 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="/wbt/matthew/21.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And they answered Jesus, and said, We cannot tell. And he 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="/wey/matthew/21.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />So they answered Jesus, "We do not know." "Nor do I tell you," He replied, "by what authority I do these things."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/matthew/21.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />They answered Jesus, and said, &#8220;We don&#8217;t know.&#8221; He also said to them, &#8220;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/matthew/21.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And answering Jesus they said, &#8220;We have not known.&#8221; He said to them&#8212;He also, &#8220;Neither do I tell you by what authority I do these things.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/matthew/21.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />And answering Jesus, they said "We do not know." And He 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="/ylt/matthew/21.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And answering Jesus they said, 'We have not known.' He said to them -- he also -- 'Neither do I tell you by what authority I do these things.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/matthew/21.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And having answered Jesus, they said, We know not. And he said to them, Neither do I say to you, by what authority I do these.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/matthew/21.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And answering Jesus, they said: We know not. He also 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="/cpdv/matthew/21.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And so, they answered Jesus by saying, &#8220;We do not know.&#8221; So he also said to them: &#8220;Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/matthew/21.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />So they said to Jesus in reply, &#8220;We do not know.&#8221; He himself said to them, &#8220;Neither shall I tell you by what authority I do these things. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/matthew/21.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />So they answered Jesus, &#8220;We do not know.&#8221; And he said to them, &#8220;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/matthew/21.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />So they answered and said to him, We do not know. 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="/aramaic-plain-english/matthew/21.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />They answered and they were saying to him, &#8220;We do not know.&#8221; Yeshua said to them, &#8220;Neither am I telling you by which authority I do these things.&#8221;<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/matthew/21.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />And they answered and said to Jesus: We know not. And he 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="/godbey/matthew/21.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br />And responding they said to Jesus, We do not know. He also said 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/matthew/21.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />So they answered Jesus, and said, We cannot tell. Then said he also to them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.<CM><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/matthew/21.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />so they made answer, we cannot tell, and Jesus said, neither shall I tell you, by what authority I do these things.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/matthew/21.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />So they answered Jesus, "We do not know." "Nor do I tell you," He replied, "by what authority I do these things."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/matthew/21.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br />And, answering Jesus, they said, "We do not know." He also said to them, <FR>"Neither do I tell you by what authority I do these things."<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/matthew/21.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br />And <i>therefore</i> in answer to Jesus, they said, We do not know: and He 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/matthew/21-27.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/hriiyJYqzvc?start=6173" 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/matthew/21.htm">Jesus' Authority Challenged</a></span><br>&#8230;<span class="reftext">26</span>But if we say, &#8216;From men,&#8217; we are afraid of the people, for they all regard John as a prophet.&#8221; <span class="reftext">27</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: t&#333; (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: I&#275;sou (N-DMS) -- Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites."></a> <a href="/greek/2036.htm" title="2036: eipan (V-AIA-3P) -- Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say."></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. ">&#8220;We do not know.&#8221;</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">And</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autos (PPro-NM3S) -- 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/5346.htm" title="5346: Eph&#275; (V-IIA-3S) -- To say, declare. Properly, the same as the base of phos and phaino; to show or make known one's thoughts, i.e. Speak or say.">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.">&#8220;Neither</a> <a href="/greek/1473.htm" title="1473: eg&#333; (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: leg&#333; (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: poi&#333; (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> <span class="reftext">28</span>But what do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first one and said, &#8216;Son, go and work today in the vineyard.&#8217;&#8230;<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> &middot; <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="/mark/11-33.htm">Mark 11:33</a></span><br />So they answered, &#8220;We do not know.&#8221; And Jesus replied, &#8220;Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/20-8.htm">Luke 20:8</a></span><br />And Jesus replied, &#8220;Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/22-46.htm">Matthew 22:46</a></span><br />No one was able to answer a word, and from that day on no one dared to question Him any further.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/12-24.htm">Matthew 12:24-28</a></span><br />But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, &#8220;Only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, does this man drive out demons.&#8221; / Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said to them, &#8220;Every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand. / If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then can his kingdom stand? ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/8-25.htm">John 8:25-27</a></span><br />&#8220;Who are You?&#8221; they asked. &#8220;Just what I have been telling you from the beginning,&#8221; Jesus replied. / &#8220;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.&#8221; / They did not understand that He was telling them about the Father.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/9-29.htm">John 9:29-34</a></span><br />We know that God spoke to Moses, but we do not know where this man is from.&#8221; / &#8220;That is remarkable indeed!&#8221; the man said. &#8220;You do not know where He is from, and yet He opened my eyes. / We know that God does not listen to sinners, but He does listen to the one who worships Him and does His will. ...<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, &#8220;When evening comes, you say, &#8216;The weather will be fair, for the sky is red,&#8217; / and in the morning, &#8216;Today it will be stormy, for the sky is red and overcast.&#8217; 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="/matthew/15-1.htm">Matthew 15:1-9</a></span><br />Then some Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem and asked, / &#8220;Why do Your disciples break the tradition of the elders? They do not wash their hands before they eat.&#8221; / Jesus replied, &#8220;And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition? ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/23-13.htm">Matthew 23:13-15</a></span><br />Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men&#8217;s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let in those who wish to enter. / Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men&#8217;s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let in those who wish to enter. / Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You traverse land and sea to win a single convert, and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as you are.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/4-16.htm">Acts 4:16-18</a></span><br />&#8220;What shall we do with these men?&#8221; they asked. &#8220;It is clear to everyone living in Jerusalem that a remarkable miracle has occurred through them, and we cannot deny it. / But to keep this message from spreading any further among the people, we must warn them not to speak to anyone in this name.&#8221; / Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/5-27.htm">Acts 5:27-29</a></span><br />They brought them in and made them stand before the Sanhedrin, where the high priest interrogated them. / &#8220;We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,&#8221; he said. &#8220;Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us responsible for this man&#8217;s blood.&#8221; / But Peter and the other apostles replied, &#8220;We must obey God rather than men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/7-51.htm">Acts 7:51-53</a></span><br />You stiff-necked people with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit, just as your fathers did. / Which of the prophets did your fathers fail to persecute? They even killed those who foretold the coming of the Righteous One. And now you are His betrayers and murderers&#8212; / you who received the law ordained by angels, yet have not kept it.&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/29-13.htm">Isaiah 29:13</a></span><br />Therefore the Lord said: &#8220;These people draw near to Me with their mouths and honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. Their worship of Me is but rules taught by men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/7-25.htm">Jeremiah 7:25-27</a></span><br />From the day your fathers came out of the land of Egypt until this day, I have sent you all My servants the prophets again and again. / Yet they would not listen to Me or incline their ear, but they stiffened their necks and did more evil than their fathers. / When you tell them all these things, they will not listen to you. When you call to them, they will not answer.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/26-4.htm">Jeremiah 26:4-6</a></span><br />And you are to tell them that this is what the LORD says: &#8216;If you do not listen to Me and walk in My law, which I have set before you, / and if you do not listen to the words of My servants the prophets, whom I have sent you again and again even though you did not listen, / then I will make this house like Shiloh, and I will make this city an object of cursing among all the nations of the earth.&#8217;&#8221;</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 Jesus, and said, We cannot tell. And he said to them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.</p><p class="hdg">We cannot tell.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/15-14.htm">Matthew 15:14</a></b></br> Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/16-3.htm">Matthew 16:3</a></b></br> And in the morning, <i>It will be</i> foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowring. O <i>ye</i> hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not <i>discern</i> the signs of the times?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/23-16.htm">Matthew 23:16</a></b></br> Woe unto you, <i>ye</i> blind guides, which say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a debtor!</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/matthew/21-24.htm">Authority</a> <a href="/matthew/20-22.htm">Idea</a> <a href="/matthew/21-24.htm">Jesus</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/matthew/23-2.htm">Authority</a> <a href="/mark/4-27.htm">Idea</a> <a href="/matthew/21-31.htm">Jesus</a><div class="vheading2">Matthew 21</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/21-1.htm">Jesus rides into Jerusalem upon a donkey</a></span><br><span class="reftext">12. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/21-12.htm">drives the buyers and sellers out of the temple;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">17. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/21-17.htm">curses the fig tree;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">23. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/21-23.htm">puts to silence the priests and elders,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">28. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/21-28.htm">and rebukes them by the parable of the two sons,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">33. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/21-33.htm">and the husbandmen who slew such as were sent to them.</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/matthew/21.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/matthew/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book&nbsp;&#9702;</a>&nbsp;<a href="/study/chapters/matthew/21.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter&nbsp;</a></tr></table></div><b>So they answered, &#8220;We do not know.&#8221;</b><br>The religious leaders, including the chief priests and elders, were questioned by Jesus about the origin of John the Baptist's authority. Their response, "We do not know," reveals their unwillingness to commit to an answer that could undermine their position. This reflects their fear of the people, who regarded John as a prophet, and their inability to recognize divine authority. Their indecision highlights a recurring theme in the Gospels: the spiritual blindness of the religious elite. This phrase also underscores the tension between Jesus and the religious authorities, who often challenged His teachings and actions.<p><b>And Jesus replied, &#8220;Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.</b><br>Jesus' response is a strategic refusal to disclose His authority to those who are not genuinely seeking truth. By withholding an answer, He exposes their insincerity and lack of spiritual discernment. This moment is significant in the context of Jesus' ministry, as it demonstrates His wisdom in dealing with opposition. The "things" Jesus refers to include His teachings, miracles, and actions in the temple, which were all done under divine authority. This encounter is a fulfillment of the prophecy in <a href="/isaiah/6-9.htm">Isaiah 6:9-10</a>, where the people's hearts are described as dull and unperceptive. Jesus' authority is a central theme in the Gospels, pointing to His identity as the Messiah and the Son of God, as seen in passages like <a href="/matthew/28-18.htm">Matthew 28:18</a>, where He declares that all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Him.<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_and_elders.htm">Chief Priests and Elders</a></b><br>These are the religious leaders of the Jewish community who challenge Jesus' authority.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/temple_in_jerusalem.htm">Temple in Jerusalem</a></b><br>The setting of this encounter, a significant place of worship and teaching for the Jewish people.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/j/john_the_baptist.htm">John the Baptist</a></b><br>Although not directly mentioned in this verse, he is referenced in the preceding verses as part of Jesus' question to the leaders.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/a/authority.htm">Authority</a></b><br>The central theme of the passage, focusing on the source and recognition of Jesus' authority.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/u/understanding_authority.htm">Understanding Authority</a></b><br>Recognize that true authority comes from God, and discernment is needed to identify it in our lives.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/courage_in_truth.htm">Courage in Truth</a></b><br>Like Jesus, we should stand firm in the truth, even when questioned or challenged by those in positions of power.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/humility_and_openness.htm">Humility and Openness</a></b><br>The religious leaders' inability to answer Jesus' question highlights the importance of humility and openness to God's revelation.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/a/accountability_to_god.htm">Accountability to God</a></b><br>We are accountable to God for recognizing and submitting to His authority, as demonstrated by Jesus.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/w/wisdom_in_response.htm">Wisdom in Response</a></b><br>Jesus' response teaches us to be wise and discerning in how we answer those who question our faith.<a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/matthew/21.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(27) <span class= "bld">We cannot tell.</span>--The confession of impotence to which the priests and scribes were thus brought was, as has been said, a virtual abdication. Before such a tribunal the Prophet whom they called in question might well refuse to plead. There was, indeed, no need to answer. For those who were not wilfully blind and deaf, the words that He had spoken, the works which He had done, the sinless life which He had led, were proofs of an authority from God.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/matthew/21.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 27.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">We cannot tell;</span> <span class="greek">&#x3bf;&#x1f50;&#x3ba;&#x20;&#x3bf;&#x1f34;&#x3b4;&#x3b1;&#x3bc;&#x3b5;&#x3bd;</span>: <span class="accented">we know not</span>; Vulgate, <span class="accented">nescimus</span>. The Authorized Version seems, at first sight, to be intended to give a false emphasis to "tell" in Christ's answer; but our translators often render the verb <span class="greek">&#x3bf;&#x1f34;&#x3b4;&#x3b1;</span> in this way (see <a href="/john/3-8.htm">John 3:8</a>; <a href="/john/8-14.htm">John 8:14</a>; <a href="/john/16-18.htm">John 16:18</a>; <a href="/2_corinthians/12-2.htm">2 Corinthians 12:2</a>). The questioners could find no way out of the dilemma in which Christ's unerring wisdom had placed them. Their evasive answer was a confession of defeat, and that in the presence of the gaping crowd who stood around listening to the conversation. They had every opportunity of judging the character of John's mission and that of Christ; it was their duty to form an opinion and to pronounce a verdict on such claims; and yet they, the leaders and teachers of Israel, for fear of compromising themselves, evade the obligation, refuse to solve or even to entertain the question, and, like a modern agnostic, content themselves with a profession of ignorance. Many people, to avoid looking a disagreeable truth in the face, respond to all appeals with the stereotyped phrase, "We cannot tell." F.M. appositely quotes the comment of Donatus on Terent., 'Eunuch.,' 5:4, 31, "Perturbatur Parmeno; nec negare potuit, nec consentire volebat; sed quasi defensionis loco dixit, <span class="accented">Nescio</span>." <span class="accented"><span class="cmt_word"></span>And he said unto them;</span> <span class="greek">&#x1f14;&#x3c6;&#x3b7;&#x20;&#x3b1;&#x1f50;&#x3c4;&#x3bf;&#x1fd6;&#x3c2;</span> <span class="greek">&#x3ba;&#x3b1;&#x1f76;&#x20;&#x3b1;&#x1f50;&#x3c4;&#x1f79;&#x3c2;</span>: <span class="accented">he also said unto them</span>. The Lord answers the thought which had dictated their words to him. <span class="cmt_word">Neither tell I you,</span> etc. With such double-minded men, who could give no clear decision concerning the mission of such a one as John the Baptist, it would be mere waste of words to argue further. They would not accept his testimony, and recognizing their malice and perversity, he declined to instruct them further. "Christ shows," says Jerome, "that they knew and were unwilling to answer; and that he knew, but held his peace, because they refused to utter what they well knew." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/matthew/21-27.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">&#954;&#945;&#8054;</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 said</span><br /><span class="grk">&#7936;&#960;&#959;&#954;&#961;&#953;&#952;&#941;&#957;&#964;&#949;&#962;</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">to Jesus,</span><br /><span class="grk">&#7992;&#951;&#963;&#959;&#8166;</span> <span class="translit">(I&#275;sou)</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">&#8220;We do not know.&#8221;</span><br /><span class="grk">&#959;&#7988;&#948;&#945;&#956;&#949;&#957;</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">&#8220;Neither</span><br /><span class="grk">&#927;&#8016;&#948;&#8050;</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">&#7952;&#947;&#8060;</span> <span class="translit">(eg&#333;)</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">&#955;&#941;&#947;&#969;</span> <span class="translit">(leg&#333;)</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">&#8017;&#956;&#8150;&#957;</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">&#7952;&#957;</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">&#960;&#959;&#943;&#8115;</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">&#7952;&#958;&#959;&#965;&#963;&#943;&#8115;</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">&#960;&#959;&#953;&#8182;</span> <span class="translit">(poi&#333;)</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,&#8221;</span><br /><span class="grk">&#964;&#945;&#8166;&#964;&#945;</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 /><br /><span class="word">He</span><br /><span class="grk">&#945;&#8016;&#964;&#972;&#962;</span> <span class="translit">(autos)</span><br /><span class="parse">Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative Masculine 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> </span><span class="str2">He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">replied.</span><br /><span class="grk">&#7964;&#966;&#951;</span> <span class="translit">(Eph&#275;)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_5346.htm">Strong's 5346: </a> </span><span class="str2">To say, declare. Properly, the same as the base of phos and phaino; to show or make known one's thoughts, i.e. Speak or say.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/matthew/21-27.htm">Matthew 21:27 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/matthew/21-27.htm">Matthew 21:27 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/matthew/21-27.htm">Matthew 21:27 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/matthew/21-27.htm">Matthew 21:27 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/matthew/21-27.htm">Matthew 21:27 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/matthew/21-27.htm">Matthew 21:27 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/matthew/21-27.htm">Matthew 21:27 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/matthew/21-27.htm">Matthew 21:27 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/matthew/21-27.htm">Matthew 21:27 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/matthew/21-27.htm">Matthew 21:27 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/matthew/21-27.htm">NT Gospels: Matthew 21:27 They answered Jesus and said We don't (Matt. Mat Mt) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/matthew/21-26.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Matthew 21:26"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Matthew 21:26" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/matthew/21-28.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Matthew 21:28"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Matthew 21:28" /></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>

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