27
Jesus and his followers went again to Jerusalem. As Jesus was walking in the Temple, the leading priests, the teachers of the law, and the older leaders came to him.
28
They said to him, "What authority do you have to do these things? Who gave you this authority?"
29
Jesus answered, "I will ask you one question. If you answer me, I will tell you what authority I have to do these things.
30
Tell me: When John baptized people, was that authority from God or just from other people?"
31
They argued about Jesus' question, saying, "If we answer, 'John's baptism was from God,' Jesus will say, 'Then why didn't you believe him?'
32
But if we say, 'It was from other people,' the crowd will be against us." (These leaders were afraid of the people, because all the people believed that John was a prophet.)
33
So they answered Jesus, "We don't know." Jesus said to them, "Then I won't tell you what authority I have to do these things."