Matthew 21:24

24 Iesus answered and sayde vnto them: I also will axe of you a certayne question which if ye assoyle me I in lyke wyse wyll tell you by what auctorite I do these thinges.

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 whatsoever ye shall axe in prayer (if ye beleve) ye shall receave it.

23 And when he was come into the teple the chefe prestes and the elders of the people came vnto him as he was teachinge and sayde: by what auctorite doest thou these thinges? and who gave the this power?

24 Iesus answered and sayde vnto them: I also will axe of you a certayne question which if ye assoyle me I in lyke wyse wyll tell you by what auctorite I do these thinges.

25 The baptime of Iohn: whence was it? fro heve or of men? Then they reasoned amoge them selves sayinge: yf we shall saye fro heven he will saye vnto vs: why dyd ye not then beleve hym?

26 But and if we shall saye of men then feare we the people. For all men helde Iohn as a Prophet.