"What think ye?" Jesus came to teach, to correct, and to divide; not for the purpose of division but to create an opening in thought for new information. An answer without context is of no benefit. Jesus looked to the audience to determine their understanding. The church leaders and the political leaders thought they were in charge. They did not expect, nor did they want input to the contrary. Jesus brought heavenly things to a three dimensional world. It's bound to get tricky!

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93: Jesus Cleanses The Temple

Matthew 21:10-17; Mark 11:15-19; Luke 19:45-48

When Jesus came to Jerusalem he went into the temple. He began to cast out those who bought and sold therein, overthrew the tables of the moneychangers and the seats of those who sold doves. He would not permit anyone to carry anything through the temple. He taught and said:

            “It is written, ‘My house shall be called the house of prayer,’ but ye have made it a den of thieves.”

            The chief priests and scribes, when they saw the wonders Jesus performed, were greatly displeased and sought to destroy him but were afraid of the multitude who listened eagerly to his words.

            Then the afflicted came to Jesus in the temple and were healed. The people listened attentively to his doctrines and were astonished at his words and deeds.

Children sang in the temple, saying:

            “Hosanna to the son of David.”

            The words of the children and the crowd angered the authorities, and the chief priests and scribes said to Jesus:

            “Hearest what they say?”

            Jesus replied to them:

            “Yea, have ye never read, ‘Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise?’”

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94: Jesus Questioned As To His Authority

Matthew 21:23-27; Mark 11:27-33, Luke 20:1-8

As Jesus was teaching in the temple, preaching the gospel, the chief priests, scribes, and elders came to him, saying:

“Tell us, by what authority doest thou these things? Or who is he that gave thee this authority?”

Jesus answered them, saying:

“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. The baptism of John, whence was it? From Heaven, or of men?”

The chief priests, scribes, and elders reasoned with themselves, saying:

“If we shall say, ‘From Heaven,’ he will say, ‘Why then believed ye him not?’ And if we say, ‘Of men,’ all the people will stone us; for they be persuaded that John was a prophet.”

So they said to Jesus that they were unable to say the source of the baptism of John.

Thereupon Jesus replied:

“Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.”