Bible Strands
Mark 11:28
“By what authority are You doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave You the authority to do them?”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The chief priests, scribes, and elders confront Jesus in the temple courts immediately following His cleansing of the sanctuary.
The words — ἐξουσία (exousia) denotes the right or power to act, and ποιεῖς (poieis) indicates the present continuous action of doing.
The thread — This challenge to delegated mandate parallels the confrontations recorded in Exodus 2:14, Numbers 16:3, and Numbers 16:13.
Why it lands — The question forces the interrogators to define the boundary of legitimate religious power before Jesus offers a response.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
And say unto him, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority to do these things?
Cross-references
- Exodus 2:14 But the man replied, “Who made you ruler and judge over us? Are you planning to kill me as you killed the Egyptian?” Then Moses was afraid and thought, “This thing I have done has surely become known.”
- Numbers 16:3 They came together against Moses and Aaron and told them, “You have taken too much upon yourselves! For everyone in the entire congregation is holy, and the LORD is in their midst. Why then do you exalt yourselves above the assembly of the LORD?”
- Numbers 16:13 Is it not enough that you have brought us up out of a land flowing with milk and honey to kill us in the wilderness? Must you also appoint yourself as ruler over us?
- Acts 7:27 But the man who was abusing his neighbor pushed Moses aside and said, ‘Who made you ruler and judge over us?
- Acts 7:38 He was in the assembly in the wilderness with the angel who spoke to him on Mount Sinai, and with our fathers. And he received living words to pass on to us.
- Acts 7:51 You stiff-necked people with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit, just as your fathers did.