Matthew 21:23

“And when he was come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came unto him as he was teaching, and said, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority?”

Context:This verse is part of a larger passage that describes Jesus’ activities in Jerusalem during the final week of his earthly ministry. In Matthew 21, Jesus entered Jerusalem triumphantly on a donkey, fulfilling the prophecy of Zechariah 9:9. He cleansed the temple by driving out the money changers and those who were buying and selling. Following this, he healed the blind and the lame in the temple area, causing great admiration among the people. The verse you mentioned occurs after these events.

Setting:Jesus entered the temple, which was the centre of religious and cultural life for the Jewish people. The chief priests and the elders, who were religious authorities, approached Jesus as he was teaching in the temple.

Questioning Jesus’ authority:The chief priests and the elders questioned Jesus about the authority by which he performed his actions and taught the people. They were likely upset by the commotion caused by Jesus’ actions in the temple and were trying to challenge his legitimacy.

Significance of the question:The religious leaders were the established authorities in the temple and had control over religious matters. By asking Jesus about his authority, they were essentially questioning his right to challenge their authority and teaching. They wanted to determine whether Jesus’ actions were authorised by God or if he was acting on his own accord.

Jesus’ response:In the following verses (Matthew 21:24-27), Jesus responded to their question with a counter-question about John the Baptist’s authority. The chief priests and elders were caught in a dilemma because they did not want to admit that John’s authority came from God, which would imply that they should have recognised Jesus’ authority as well. Therefore, they refused to answer Jesus’ question.

Teaching and reflection:This encounter highlights the ongoing conflict between Jesus and the religious leaders of his time. Jesus’ authority and teachings were often challenged by the religious establishment, who were more concerned with maintaining their power and traditions than recognising the work of God in their midst.

• Application:The question of authority is still relevant today. As believers, we must recognise and submit to the authority of Jesus Christ in our lives. Jesus’ authority is not based on earthly positions or titles but comes directly from God. We are called to obey his teachings, trust in his sovereignty, and allow his authority to guide our actions and decisions.