Matthew 21:27

“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.”

Context:To understand the context of this verse, let’s examine the preceding verses. In Matthew 21, Jesus entered Jerusalem triumphantly on a donkey, fulfilling the prophecy in Zechariah 9:9. The people hailed Him as the Son of David, recognizing Him as the promised Messiah.

Upon His arrival in Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple and began to cleanse it, driving out those who were buying and selling. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who were selling doves, proclaiming that the house of God should be a house of prayer.

Confrontation:Following this event, the chief priests and elders of the people came to Jesus and questioned His authority, asking by what authority He was doing these things. They sought to challenge His actions and teachings, as they held positions of religious authority and were likely threatened by Jesus’ influence and popularity among the people.

In response to their question, Jesus countered with a question of His own. He asked them about the baptism of John the Baptist, whether it was from heaven or from men. The religious leaders deliberated among themselves and realized that they could not give a straightforward answer. They were concerned about the implications of their response, as John the Baptist was highly regarded among the people as a prophet.

In Matthew 21:27, the religious leaders replied to Jesus, saying, “We cannot tell.” They chose not to answer Jesus’ question about the baptism of John the Baptist. Their response revealed their reluctance to acknowledge the truth and exposed their hypocritical nature. They were more concerned with maintaining their own positions and authority rather than seeking the truth and submitting to the authority of God.

In response to their evasive answer, Jesus also declined to reveal by what authority He performed His miracles and teachings. His response was a rebuke to their lack of sincerity and their refusal to acknowledge the truth. Jesus often challenged the religious leaders of His time, exposing their hypocrisy and calling them to repentance.

Lessons:Through this passage, we can learn several lessons. Firstly, it teaches us the importance of genuine faith and humility. The religious leaders were more interested in preserving their own authority and reputation than in seeking the truth. Jesus calls us to approach Him with open hearts and a willingness to submit to His authority.

Secondly, this passage emphasizes the importance of recognizing and accepting the messengers of God. John the Baptist was divinely appointed as a forerunner of Jesus, and his baptism held significance. By refusing to answer Jesus’ question, the religious leaders missed an opportunity to acknowledge John’s ministry and the divine authority behind it.

Warning:Lastly, this passage warns us against hypocrisy. The religious leaders portrayed themselves as righteous and knowledgeable, yet they refused to acknowledge the truth when confronted with it. Jesus calls us to be sincere and genuine in our faith, avoiding hypocrisy and self-righteousness.