23 Jesus entered the temple courtyard. While he was teaching there, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him. "By what authority are you doing these things?" they asked. "Who gave you this authority?"
24
Jesus replied, "I will also ask you one question. If you answer me, I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things.
25
Where did John's baptism come from? Was it from heaven? Or did it come from men?" They talked to each other about it. They said, "If we say, 'From heaven,' he will ask, 'Then why didn't you believe him?'
26
But what if we say, 'From men'? We are afraid of the people. Everyone believes that John was a prophet."
27
So they answered Jesus, "We don't know." Jesus said, "Then I won't tell you by what authority I am doing these things either.