Mark 11:33

33 And they replied to Jesus saying, "We do not know." And Jesus said to them, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these [things]."

Mark 11:33 Meaning and Commentary

Mark 11:33

And they answered and said unto Jesus
Being reduced by this dilemma to the greatest streight and difficulty;

we cannot tell:
they could, if they would, but they did not care to tell; they knew if they did, they should expose themselves one way or other:

and Jesus answering, saith unto them, neither do I tell you by what
authority I do these things; (See Gill on Matthew 21:27).

Mark 11:33 In-Context

31 And they began to discuss [this] with one another, saying, "What should we say? If we say 'From heaven,' he will say, 'Why then did you not believe him?'

32 But if we say, 'From men'"--they were afraid of the crowd, because they all looked upon John {as truly a prophet}.

33 And they replied to Jesus saying, "We do not know." And Jesus said to them, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these [things]."