1On one of those days, while he was teaching the people in the temple and proclaiming the good news, the chief priests and the scribes with the elders confronted him [20:2] and said to him, "Tell us by what authority you are doing these things — or who it is who gave you this authority." [20:3] He answered and said to them, "I too will ask you a question, and you tell me: [20:4] The baptism of John — was it from heaven, or from men?" [20:5] They reasoned among themselves, saying, "If we say 'From heaven,' he will say, 'Why did you not believe him?' [20:6] But if we say 'From men,' all the people will stone us, for they are convinced that John was a prophet." [20:7] So they answered that they did not know where it was from. [20:8] Jesus said to them, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things."
LUK 20:1-8
Jesusʼ Authority Challenged
In the world it was spoken into
In the first-century Jewish context, the temple in Jerusalem was not only a religious center but also a site of political and social authority. The chief priests were part of the aristocratic elite, often aligned with Roman interests, and held significant power over temple operations and finances. The scribes were legal experts trained in interpreting Torah and Jewish law, while the elders represented the lay aristocracy and served in the Sanhedrin, the Jewish ruling council. Together, these groups formed the religious and political establishment. When they questioned Jesus’ authority , they were challenging His right to teach and act in the temple, a space they controlled. Their question was not merely theological but also political, as unauthorized teaching could undermine their authority and provoke Roman scrutiny. Jesus’ counter-question about John the Baptist’s baptism forced them into a dilemma: acknowledging John’s divine authority would expose their failure to support him, while denying it risked alienating the crowds who revered John as a prophet. This exchange highlights the tension between Jesus and the religious elite over legitimacy and power.
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How other translations render this
LUK 20:1
- KJV
- 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,
- BSB
- 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.
- Koinōnos
- On one of those days, while he was teaching the people in the temple and proclaiming the good news, the chief priests and the scribes with the elders confronted him
LUK 20:2
- KJV
- And spake unto him, saying, Tell us, by what authority doest thou these things? or who is he that gave thee this authority?
- BSB
- “Tell us,” they said, “by what authority are You doing these things, and who gave You this authority?”
- Koinōnos
- and said to him, "Tell us by what authority you are doing these things — or who it is who gave you this authority.
LUK 20:3
- KJV
- And he answered and said unto them, I will also ask you one thing; and answer me:
- BSB
- “I will also ask you a question,” Jesus replied. “Tell Me:
- Koinōnos
- He answered and said to them, "I too will ask you a question, and you tell me:
LUK 20:4
- KJV
- The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men?
- BSB
- Johnʼs baptism—was it from heaven, or from men?”
- Koinōnos
- The baptism of John — was it from heaven, or from men?
LUK 20:5
- KJV
- And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say, Why then believed ye him not?
- BSB
- They deliberated among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will ask, ‘Why did you not believe him?’
- Koinōnos
- They reasoned among themselves, saying, "If we say 'From heaven,' he will say, 'Why did you not believe him?
LUK 20:6
- KJV
- But and if we say, Of men; all the people will stone us: for they be persuaded that John was a prophet.
- BSB
- But if we say, ‘From men,’ all the people will stone us, for they are convinced that John was a prophet.”
- Koinōnos
- But if we say 'From men,' all the people will stone us, for they are convinced that John was a prophet.
LUK 20:7
- KJV
- And they answered, that they could not tell whence it was.
- BSB
- So they answered that they did not know where it was from.
- Koinōnos
- So they answered that they did not know where it was from.
LUK 20:8
- KJV
- And Jesus said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.
- BSB
- And Jesus replied, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.”
- Koinōnos
- Jesus said to them, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Translator's notes
LUK 20:1
- the:The term translated 'high priest' refers to the chief religious official, but in this context, it often included former high priests and members of their families, forming a powerful aristocratic group.
- the:The word translated 'scribes' refers to learned experts in Jewish law, who often served as legal advisors, teachers, and interpreters of scripture, holding significant social and religious influence.
- the:The word translated 'elders' refers to respected leaders within the community, often older men, who held positions of authority and decision-making in both religious and civic matters.
LUK 20:2
- authority:The word translated 'authority' here carries the sense of both the right to act and the power to enforce that right, implying legitimate power and jurisdiction.