Matthew 21:27
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So they answered, “We do not know.” And Jesus replied, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
And they answered Jesus, and said, We cannot tell--Evidently their difficulty was, how to answer, so as neither to shake their determination to reject the claims of Christ nor damage their reputation with the people. For the truth itself they cared nothing whatever. Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things--What composure and dignity of wisdom does our Lord here display, as He turns their question upon themselves, and, while revealing His knowledge of their hypocrisy, closes their mouths! Taking advantage of the surprise, silence, and awe produced by this reply, our Lord followed it up immediately by the two following parables. Parable of the Two Sons (Mat 21:28-32).
Open source ↗21:27 The leaders lacked integrity and courage to confess what they believed about John. So Jesus’ refusal to answer their original question was fair.
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
“That is remarkable indeed!” the man said. “You do not know where He is from, and yet He opened my eyes.
and in the morning, ‘Today it will be stormy, for the sky is red and overcast.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but not the signs of the times.
Make the hearts of this people calloused; deafen their ears and close their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed.”
Furthermore, since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, He gave them up to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done.
Whom is He trying to teach? To whom is He explaining His message? To infants just weaned from milk? To babies removed from the breast?
Disregard them! They are blind guides. If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit.”
And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing.