Matthew 21:24

24 And Jesus answering said to them, *I* also will ask you one thing, which if ye tell me, *I* also will tell you by what authority I do these things:

Matthew 21:24 Meaning and Commentary

Matthew 21:24

And Jesus answered and said unto them
Not by replying directly to their question, but by putting another question to them, whereby he escaped the snare he saw they laid for him:

I also will ask you one thing,
word, or question,

which if ye tell me;
honestly, and plainly answer to it,

I likewise will tell you by what authority I do these things:
which was putting the thing upon such a foot, and in such a form, as they could not well object to; for Christ promises, that if they would return a plain answer to the question he had to put to them, and which was no unreasonable, nor impertinent one, he would thoroughly satisfy them in this point; and expressly declare his commission and authority, what it was, and from whence he had it. The question is as follows:

Matthew 21:24 In-Context

22 And all things whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.

23 And when he came into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him [as he was] teaching, saying, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority?

24 And Jesus answering said to them, *I* also will ask you one thing, which if ye tell me, *I* also will tell you by what authority I do these things:

25 The baptism of John, whence was it? of heaven or of men? And they reasoned among themselves, saying, If we should say, Of heaven, he will say to us, Why then have ye not believed him?

26 but if we should say, Of men, we fear the crowd, for all hold John for a prophet.