Mark 11:29

29 “I’ll tell you by what authority I do these things if you answer one question,” Jesus replied.

Mark 11:29 Meaning and Commentary

Mark 11:29

And Jesus answered and said unto them
Being not in the least intimidated by such a body of men:

I will also ask of you one question;
or "one word", or "one thing"; (logov) , here answers to the Hebrew word (rbd) , which signifies both "word" and "thing":

and answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these
things; (See Gill on Matthew 21:24).

Mark 11:29 In-Context

27 Again they entered Jerusalem. As Jesus was walking through the Temple area, the leading priests, the teachers of religious law, and the elders came up to him.

28 They demanded, “By what authority are you doing all these things? Who gave you the right to do them?”

29 “I’ll tell you by what authority I do these things if you answer one question,” Jesus replied.

30 “Did John’s authority to baptize come from heaven, or was it merely human? Answer me!”

31 They talked it over among themselves. “If we say it was from heaven, he will ask why we didn’t believe John.