231When He entered the temple, the chiefpriests and the elders of the peoplecame to Him 2while He was teaching, and said, "By whatauthority are You doingthesethings, and whogave You thisauthority?"
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Jesussaid to them, "I will alsoask you onething, whichif you tell Me, I will alsotell you by whatauthority I dothesethings.
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"The baptism of John was from what source, from heavenor from men?" And they began reasoningamongthemselves, saying, "If we say, 'From heaven,' He will say to us, 'Thenwhy* did you not believe him?'
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"But if we say, 'From men,' we fear the people; for they allregardJohn as 3a prophet."
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And answeringJesus, they said, "We do not know." He alsosaid to them, "Neither will I tell you by whatauthority I dothesethings.