New Testament · Gospel

Matthew 21:24

The King Enters

“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. Matthew 21:24 · Berean Standard Bible
What It Means

Matthew 21:24, in plain English

Jesus says, 'I'll ask you one question first. Answer Me, and I'll tell you by whose authority I do these things.'

Why it's here

Jesus doesn't dodge the question — He flips it. He's about to put them in a corner they can't escape.

Who's speaking

Jesus responds with a question that will expose their dishonesty.

Where it sits in the story

They came to trap Him. He's about to trap them.

A Closer Look

The scholarly reading

Jesus employs a rabbinic counter-question technique: He will answer their question if they first answer His — a strategy that exposes their intellectual dishonesty.

Language and setting

Counter-questioning was a recognized pedagogical and debate method in Judaism; Jesus uses it to reveal the leaders' bad faith.

Voice

Jesus responds to the leaders' challenge with His own conditional question.

Significance

Jesus turns the interrogation around, creating a dilemma that will expose the leaders' true motives.

In context

Matthew 21:22–26

22If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.”

23When 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?”

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.

25What was the source of John’s baptism? Was it from heaven or from men?”

26But if we say, ‘From men,’ we are afraid of the people, for they all regard John as a prophet.”

Read all of Matthew 21 — Jesus rides into Jerusalem on a donkey while the crowds shout hosanna. Within hours, he's overturning tables in the temple.

Understand every verse, not just this one

This page covers one. BibleKey does all 31,102 — tap any verse for its meaning, any word for its Hebrew or Greek root, and keep reading without leaving the chapter.

Get BibleKey

Understand every verse.

Not just the famous ones. BibleKey is free on iPhone and iPad.

Download on the App Store

Free on iPhone & iPad