Mark 11:33

33 Answering Jesus, they said, "We do not know." And Jesus said to them, "Nor will I tell you by what authority I do these things."

Mark 11:33 Meaning and Commentary

Mark 11:33

And they answered and said unto Jesus
Being reduced by this dilemma to the greatest streight and difficulty;

we cannot tell:
they could, if they would, but they did not care to tell; they knew if they did, they should expose themselves one way or other:

and Jesus answering, saith unto them, neither do I tell you by what
authority I do these things; (See Gill on Matthew 21:27).

Mark 11:33 In-Context

31 They began reasoning among themselves, saying, "If we say, 'From heaven,' He will say, 'Then why did you not believe him?'

32 "But shall we say, 'From men '?"-they were afraid of the people, for everyone considered John to have been a real prophet.

33 Answering Jesus, they said, "We do not know." And Jesus said to them, "Nor will I tell you by what authority I do these things."

Footnotes

• [a]. Lit "do I tell"