Matthew 21:24

24 Jesus responded, "First let me ask you a question. You answer my question and I'll answer yours.

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 Absolutely everything, ranging from small to large, as you make it a part of your believing prayer, gets included as you lay hold of God."

23 Then he was back in the Temple, teaching. The high priests and leaders of the people came up and demanded, "Show us your credentials. Who authorized you to teach here?"

24 Jesus responded, "First let me ask you a question. You answer my question and I'll answer yours.

25 About the baptism of John - who authorized it: heaven or humans?"

26 if we say 'humans,' we're up against it with the people because they all hold John up as a prophet."