27 Jesus and his disciples arrived again in Jerusalem. He was walking in the temple courtyards. Then the chief priests came to him. The teachers of the law and the elders came too.
28
"By what authority are you doing these things?" they asked. "Who gave you authority to do this?"
29
Jesus replied, "I will ask you one question. Answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things.
30
Was John's baptism from heaven? Or did it come from men? Tell me!"
31
They talked to each other about it. They said, "If we say, 'From heaven,' he will ask, 'Then why didn't you believe him?'
32
But what if we say, 'From men'?" They were afraid of the people. Everyone believed that John really was a prophet.