Mark 11:28

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And say unto him, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority to do these things?

Complete Jewish Bible:

and they said to him, "What s'mikhah do you have that authorizes you to do these things? Who gave you this s'mikhah authorizing you to do them?"

Berean Standard Bible:

“By what authority are You doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave You the authority to do them?”

American Standard Version:

and they said unto him, By what authority doest thou these things? or who gave thee this authority to do these things?

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And^{G2532} say^{G3004} unto him^{G846}, By^{G1722} what^{G4169} authority^{G1849} doest thou^{G4160} these things^{G5023}? and^{G2532} who^{G5101} gave^{G1325} thee^{G4671} this^{G5026} authority^{G1849} to^{G2443} do^{G4160} these things^{G5023}?

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Commentary for Mark 11:28

Mark 11:28 is a verse that captures a moment of challenge and confrontation between Jesus and the religious leaders of Jerusalem. The verse is part of a larger narrative where Jesus has entered Jerusalem, causing a stir by cleansing the Temple, overturning the tables of the money changers and driving out those who were buying and selling in the sacred precincts. This action was a direct challenge to the established authority of the chief priests, scribes, and elders, who were responsible for the Temple's operations and the maintenance of religious order.

In the historical context of the time, authority was a critical issue. The Jewish leaders were authorized by Roman authority to maintain order, and they also saw themselves as the guardians of religious tradition. Jesus' actions in the Temple, therefore, were not only a disruption of the status quo but also a claim to an authority that superseded theirs.

The question posed in Mark 11:28, "By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority to do these things?" reflects the tension between Jesus' rapidly growing popularity and the established religious hierarchy's concern over maintaining their influence and power. The leaders are essentially demanding to know the source of Jesus' authority, implying that he has no right to act as he does without sanction from the recognized religious authorities.

Jesus' response to this challenge is both clever and profound. He does not immediately answer their question but instead poses a question about John the Baptist's authority, trapping them in a dilemma that reveals their own lack of integrity and fear of the people. This exchange is emblematic of the broader theme in the Gospels where Jesus' authority is juxtaposed with that of the religious leaders, ultimately leading to his rejection by the establishment and his crucifixion. The verse underscores the central conflict of Jesus' ministry: the revolutionary nature of his message and actions versus the conservative, entrenched interests of the religious elite. It also highlights the existential question faced by his contemporaries and by readers of the Gospel throughout the ages: recognizing the source and legitimacy of Jesus' authority.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: G2532
   There are 5212 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: καί
   Transliteration: kaí
   Pronunciation: kahee
   Description: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
   
2. Strong's Number: G3004
   There are 1244 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: λέγω
   Transliteration: légō
   Pronunciation: leg'-o
   Description: a primary verb; properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas ἔπω and φημί generally refer to an individual expression or speech respectively; while ῥέω is properly to break silence merely, and λαλέω means an extended or random harangue)); by implication, to mean:--ask, bid, boast, call, describe, give out, name, put forth, say(-ing, on), shew, speak, tell, utter.
   
3. Strong's Number: G846
   There are 3776 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: αὐτός
   Transliteration: autós
   Pronunciation: ow-tos'
   Description: from the particle (perhaps akin to the base of ἀήρ through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative ἑαυτοῦ) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons:--her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which. Compare αὑτοῦ.
   
4. Strong's Number: G1722
   There are 2129 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἐν
   Transliteration: en
   Pronunciation: en
   Description: a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between εἰς and ἐκ); "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.:--about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (… sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition.
   
5. Strong's Number: G4169
   There are 33 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ποῖος
   Transliteration: poîos
   Pronunciation: poy'-os
   Description: from the base of ποῦ and οἷος; individualizing interrogative (of character) what sort of, or (of number) which one:--what (manner of), which.
   
6. Strong's Number: G1849
   There are 93 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἐξουσία
   Transliteration: exousía
   Pronunciation: ex-oo-see'-ah
   Description: from ἔξεστι (in the sense of ability); privilege, i.e. (subjectively) force, capacity, competency, freedom, or (objectively) mastery (concretely, magistrate, superhuman, potentate, token of control), delegated influence:--authority, jurisdiction, liberty, power, right, strength.
   
7. Strong's Number: G4160
   There are 519 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ποιέω
   Transliteration: poiéō
   Pronunciation: poy-eh'-o
   Description: apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct):--abide, + agree, appoint, X avenge, + band together, be, bear, + bewray, bring (forth), cast out, cause, commit, + content, continue, deal, + without any delay, (would) do(-ing), execute, exercise, fulfil, gain, give, have, hold, X journeying, keep, + lay wait, + lighten the ship, make, X mean, + none of these things move me, observe, ordain, perform, provide, + have purged, purpose, put, + raising up, X secure, shew, X shoot out, spend, take, tarry, + transgress the law, work, yield. Compare πράσσω.
   
8. Strong's Number: G5023
   There are 237 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ταῦτα
   Transliteration: taûta
   Pronunciation: tow'-tah
   Description: nominative or accusative case neuter plural of οὗτος; these things:--+ afterward, follow, + hereafter, X him, the same, so, such, that, then, these, they, this, those, thus.
   
9. Strong's Number: G5101
   There are 483 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: τίς
   Transliteration: tís
   Pronunciation: tis
   Description: probably emphatic of τὶς; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions):--every man, how (much), + no(-ne, thing), what (manner, thing), where (-by, -fore, -of, -unto, - with, -withal), whether, which, who(-m, -se), why.
   
10. Strong's Number: G1325
    There are 377 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: δίδωμι
    Transliteration: dídōmi
    Pronunciation: did'-o-mee
    Description: a prolonged form of a primary verb (which is used as an alternative in most of the tenses); to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection):--adventure, bestow, bring forth, commit, deliver (up), give, grant, hinder, make, minister, number, offer, have power, put, receive, set, shew, smite (+ with the hand), strike (+ with the palm of the hand), suffer, take, utter, yield.
    
11. Strong's Number: G4671
    There are 204 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: σοί
    Transliteration: soí
    Pronunciation: soy
    Description: dative case of σύ; to thee:--thee, thine own, thou, thy.
    
12. Strong's Number: G5026
    There are 119 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ταύτῃ
    Transliteration: taútēi
    Pronunciation: tow'-tace
    Description: dative case, accusative case and genitive case respectively of the feminine singular of οὗτος; (towards or of) this:--her, + hereof, it, that, + thereby, the (same), this (same).
    
13. Strong's Number: G2443
    There are 535 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἵνα
    Transliteration: hína
    Pronunciation: hin'-ah
    Description: probably from the same as the former part of ἑαυτοῦ (through the demonstrative idea; compare ὁ); in order that (denoting the purpose or the result):--albeit, because, to the intent (that), lest, so as, (so) that, (for) to. Compare ἵνα μή.