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saying, "Tell us what authority you have to do these things? Who gave you this authority?"
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Jesus answered, "I will also ask you a question. Tell me:
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When John baptized people, was that authority from God or just from other people?"
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They argued about this, saying, "If we answer, 'John's baptism was from God,' Jesus will say, 'Then why did you not believe him?'
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But if we say, 'It was from other people,' all the people will stone us to death, because they believe John was a prophet."
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So they answered that they didn't know where it came from.
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Jesus said to them, "Then I won't tell you what authority I have to do these things."
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Then Jesus told the people this story: "A man planted a vineyard and leased it to some farmers. Then he went away for a long time.
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When it was time for the grapes to be picked, he sent a servant to the farmers to get some of the grapes. But they beat the servant and sent him away empty-handed.
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Then he sent another servant. They beat this servant also, and showed no respect for him, and sent him away empty-handed.
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So the man sent a third servant. The farmers wounded him and threw him out.