Luke 20:1-7

1 One day he was teaching the people in the Temple, proclaiming the Message. The high priests, religion scholars, and leaders confronted
2 him and demanded, "Show us your credentials. Who authorized you to speak and act like this?"
3 Jesus answered, "First, let me ask you a question:
4 About the baptism of John - who authorized it, heaven or humans?"
5 They were on the spot, and knew it. They pulled back into a huddle and whispered, "If we say 'heaven,' he'll ask us why we didn't believe him;
6 if we say 'humans,' the people will tear us limb from limb, convinced as they are that John was God's prophet."
7 They agreed to concede that round to Jesus and said they didn't know.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.