Apr 20 Deuteronomy 31:30, Deuteronomy 32 Luke 19:45-48, Luke 20:1-26 Psalm 48:9-14
Luke 20:2-8
and said to him, “Tell us by what authority you do these things, or who it is that gave you this authority.”
He answered them, “I also will ask you a question. Now tell me, was the baptism of John from heaven or from man?”
And they discussed it with one another, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say, ‘Why did you not believe him?’
But if we say, ‘From man,’ all the people will stone us to death, for they are convinced that John was a prophet.”
So they answered that they did not know where it came from.
And Jesus said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.”
Was this a genuine question or a chance to get Jesus into trouble?
Either way, they did not expect the reply Jesus gave. And they were stumped. John was popular but he was also an advocate of Jesus. That was well known.
They assessed their answer though a question they asked themselves. “what will people think?”
That’s never going to lead to a good answer. If we are more concerned about what people might say rather than getting to the truth, we will not find the truth. Don’t think about what people “might” say but concentrate on what Jesus has said.
If they had answered honestly I believe Jesus would have answered their question about the authority He did these things under. But they missed out.
