“I will also ask you one question,” Jesus replied, “and if you answer Me, I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things.
Parallel translations
- WEB Jesus 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.
- KJV And Jesus answered and said unto them, I also will ask you one thing, which if ye tell me, I in like wise will tell you by what authority I do these things.
- NKJV But Jesus answered and said to them, “I also will ask you one thing, which if you tell Me, I likewise will tell you by what authority I do these things:
- NASB But Jesus responded and said to them, “I will also ask you one question, which, if you tell Me, I will also 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, a recognized rabbinic method. He exposes their motives before revealing His own authority.
Overview
Rather than directly defending His authority, Jesus poses a question that will reveal whether His questioners are sincere. This was a legitimate teaching technique, but here it also uncovers the leaders' refusal to follow the truth. Jesus' wisdom in debate displays His divine authority even as His opponents try to trap Him.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 4
- Luke 6:9Then Jesus said to them, “I ask you, which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to destroy it?”
- Col 4:6Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
- Matt 10:16Behold, I am sending you out like sheep among wolves; therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.
- Prov 26:4–5Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you yourself will be like him.
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Christ at the center
Matthew presents Jesus as the promised King — son of David, son of Abraham — the new Moses and true Israel in whom every prophecy reaches 'that it might be fulfilled.'
How Matthew 21:24 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.