Jesus said to them, “I will ask you one question. Answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things.
Parallel translations
- KJV And Jesus answered and said unto them, I will also ask of you one question, and answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things.
- BSB “I will ask you one question,” Jesus replied, “and if you answer Me, I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things.
- NKJV But Jesus answered and said to them, “I also will ask you one question; then answer Me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things:
- NASB But Jesus said to them, “I will ask you one question, and you answer Me, and then I will tell you by what authority I do these things.
- NLT “I’ll tell you by what authority I do these things if you answer one question,” Jesus replied.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Jesus answers their challenge with a counter-question, promising to answer if they answer Him.
Overview
Jesus wisely turns the trap back on His questioners, exposing their motives. His counter-question is not evasion but a way of revealing the truth about His authority and theirs. He shows masterful discernment in dealing with hostile opponents.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 3
- Isa 52:13Behold, my servant will deal wisely. He will be exalted and lifted up, and will be very high.
- Luke 20:3–8He answered them, “I also will ask you one question. Tell me:
- Matt 21:24Jesus answered them, “I also will ask you one question, which if you tell me, I likewise will tell you by what authority I do these things.
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Christ at the center
Mark drives urgently to the cross, showing Jesus the Son of God as the suffering Servant who 'came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.'
How Mark 11:29 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.