Bible Strands
Matthew 21:27
So they answered, “We do not know.” And Jesus replied, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Jesus speaks to the chief priests and elders in the temple after they question his authority. They refuse to answer his counterquestion about John the Baptist's origin, prompting his direct response.
The words — ἀποκριθέντες (apokrithentes) means "answering," recording the leaders' stated ignorance. ἔφη (ephē) means "was saying," underscoring Jesus' deliberate refusal to disclose the source of his authority.
The thread — The text's record of evasion and withheld revelation aligns with Isaiah 6:10 and Romans 1:18, where suppressed truth hardens the hearers. The refusal to acknowledge divine commission mirrors the deceptive patterns outlined in 2 Thessalonians 2:9.
Why it lands — The verse requires readers to accept Jesus' authority without demanding human validation or political safety. It demands a direct reckoning with his claims rather than a negotiated compromise.
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 they answered Jesus, and said, We cannot tell. And he said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.
Cross-references
- Romans 1:18 The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness.
- 2 Thessalonians 2:9 The coming of the lawless one will be accompanied by the working of Satan, with every kind of power, sign, and false wonder,
- Isaiah 6:10 Make the hearts of this people calloused; deafen their ears and close their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed.”
- Isaiah 28:9 Whom is He trying to teach? To whom is He explaining His message? To infants just weaned from milk? To babies removed from the breast?
- Isaiah 29:10 For the LORD has poured out on you a spirit of deep sleep. He has shut your eyes, O prophets; He has covered your heads, O seers.
- Isaiah 42:19 Who is blind but My servant, or deaf like the messenger I am sending? Who is blind like My covenant partner, or blind like the servant of the LORD?
- Isaiah 56:10 Israel’s watchmen are blind, they are all oblivious; they are all mute dogs, they cannot bark; they are dreamers lying around, loving to slumber.
- Jeremiah 8:7 Even the stork in the sky knows her appointed seasons. The turtledove, the swift, and the thrush keep their time of migration, but My people do not know the requirements of the LORD.
- Malachi 2:6 True instruction was in his mouth, and nothing false was found on his lips. He walked with Me in peace and uprightness, and he turned many from iniquity.
- Matthew 15:14 Disregard them! They are blind guides. If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit.”