Mark 11:33

33 So they answered Jesus, "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 They argued with one another, "If we say, "From heaven,' he will say, "Why then did you not believe him?'
32 But shall we say, "Of human origin'?"—they were afraid of the crowd, for all regarded John as truly a prophet.
33 So they answered Jesus, "We do not know." And Jesus said to them, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things."
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.