Luke 20:2

KJV

And spake unto him, saying, Tell us, by what authority doest thou these things? or who is he that gave thee this authority?

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} spake {G2036} unto {G4314} him {G846}, saying {G3004}, Tell {G2036} us {G2254}, by {G1722} what {G4169} authority {G1849} doest thou {G4160} these things {G5023}? or {G2228} who {G5101} is he {G2076} that gave {G1325} thee {G4671} this {G5026} authority {G1849}?

Complete Jewish Bible

and said, “Tell us, what s’mikhah do you have that authorizes you to do these things? Who gave you this s’mikhah?”

Berean Standard Bible

“Tell us,” they said, “by what authority are You doing these things, and who gave You this authority?”

American Standard Version

and they spake, saying unto him, Tell us: By what authority doest thou these things? or who is he that gave thee this authority?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 20:2 captures a pivotal confrontation in the temple, where the chief priests, scribes, and elders challenge Jesus' authority. Following His dramatic cleansing of the temple and subsequent daily teaching, these religious leaders demand to know the source of His power and actions. Their question, "Tell us, by what authority doest thou these things? or who is he that gave thee this authority?", is not a genuine inquiry but a calculated attempt to trap Jesus, either by forcing Him to claim divine authority (which they could deem blasphemy) or human authority (which would undermine His public appeal), thereby providing grounds for His arrest or discrediting His ministry.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated immediately after Jesus' powerful and provocative actions in the Jerusalem temple. In [Luke 19:45-46](/luke/19-45-46 "Jesus Cleanses the Temple"), Jesus had just driven out those who were selling and buying, declaring the temple a "house of prayer" that they had turned into a "den of robbers." This act of cleansing was a direct challenge to the established religious order and their commercial exploitation of the sacred space. Following this, [Luke 19:47-48](/luke/19-47-48 "Jesus Teaches in the Temple Daily") states that Jesus was teaching daily in the temple, drawing large crowds who "hung on His words." The "things" referred to in [Luke 20:2](/luke/20-2 "The Challenge to Jesus' Authority") are precisely these authoritative actions: His expulsion of the merchants and His public, impactful teaching, which implicitly claimed a right to regulate temple affairs and interpret God's will. The question posed by the religious leaders is therefore a direct response to Jesus' perceived usurpation of their authority within their domain.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The chief priests, scribes, and elders represented the highest echelons of Jewish religious and political power in Jerusalem, forming the core of the Sanhedrin, the supreme Jewish governing body. The temple was not merely a place of worship but the center of Jewish life, economy, and national identity. The chief priests, particularly, held significant power, collaborating with the Roman authorities to maintain order, and benefiting financially from the temple system. For Jesus, an itinerant Galilean preacher, to enter the temple and disrupt its operations, then teach with an authority that surpassed their own, was an act of profound defiance to their established order and a direct threat to their influence and control. Their question about "authority" (Greek: _exousia_) was a legal and theological challenge, probing whether Jesus operated under a recognized rabbinic ordination, a prophetic commission, or some other, perhaps illegitimate, source of power.

* **Key Themes:** The central issue highlighted in [Luke 20:2](/luke/20-2 "The Challenge to Jesus' Authority") is the **Authority of Jesus**. This confrontation brings to the forefront the question of the source and legitimacy of Jesus' actions and teachings, a theme that permeates His ministry. From the very beginning, people recognized that He taught "as one who had authority, and not as their scribes" ([Mark 1:22](/mark/1-22 "Jesus Teaches with Authority")). This verse also underscores the **Religious Opposition and Challenge** Jesus faced. The chief priests, scribes, and elders represent the entrenched religious establishment, whose power and traditions were threatened by Jesus' radical message and actions. Their questioning is not a search for truth but a strategic maneuver to discredit or condemn Him, reflecting a pattern of hostility seen throughout the Gospels, such as their accusations in [Luke 11:15](/luke/11-15 "Accusations Against Jesus"). Finally, the question "who is he that gave thee this authority?" reveals a fundamental tension between **Divine Commission vs. Human Mandate**. The leaders implicitly assume that any legitimate authority must stem from a human institution or recognized tradition, unwilling to consider or acknowledge a direct divine source for Jesus' power.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **authority (Greek, _exousía_):** From G1849, this word signifies more than mere power or strength (_dynamis_); it denotes the **right**, privilege, or delegated power to act. It encompasses both the ability and the legitimate claim to exercise that ability. When the religious leaders question Jesus' _exousía_, they are not merely asking about His capability, but about His legal, moral, and spiritual right to perform such significant acts and teach with such profound impact. This term is crucial, as it speaks to the very core of Jesus' identity and mission.
* **doest thou (Greek, _poiéō_):** From G4160, this verb means "to make or do" in a very wide application. In this context, it refers to Jesus' active performance of deeds—specifically, cleansing the temple and teaching. The questioners are scrutinizing His actions, not just His words. The choice of _poiéō_ emphasizes the tangible, impactful nature of what Jesus was doing, which directly challenged their control and order.
* **gave (Greek, _dídōmi_):** From G1325, this verb means "to give" and implies a bestowal or grant. The leaders' second question, "who is he that gave thee this authority?", explicitly seeks the source of Jesus' _exousía_. They are looking for a human or institutional grantor of this power, assuming it must be delegated from a recognized earthly authority, rather than originating from God Himself.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And spake unto him, saying, Tell us":** This introduces the direct confrontation. The religious leaders, having observed Jesus' actions and teachings, initiate a formal challenge. Their demand for Jesus to "tell us" indicates a desire for a direct, public answer that they can then use against Him.
* **"by what authority doest thou these things?":** This is the first part of their two-pronged question. It probes the nature and legitimacy of Jesus' power. They are demanding to know the basis or right by which He performs the actions of cleansing the temple and teaching with such profound effect. This question targets the very foundation of His public ministry.
* **"or who is he that gave thee this authority?":** This second part clarifies and intensifies the first. It seeks to identify the specific individual or institution from whom Jesus received His mandate. This reveals their assumption that His authority must be derived, not inherent, and that it must come from a source they recognize or can investigate. It also implies a suspicion that His authority might be self-proclaimed or illegitimate.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 20:2 employs several key literary devices. **Interrogation** is central, as the verse is framed as a direct question from the religious leaders to Jesus, designed to elicit a response that can be used against Him. This is not a genuine inquiry but a **Rhetorical Question** in the sense that its primary purpose is to trap Jesus, not to gain understanding. The underlying **Conflict** between Jesus and the religious establishment is palpable, as their challenge is a direct manifestation of their escalating hostility and fear of His growing influence. There is also a strong element of **Irony**, as the leaders, who claim to be authorities on divine matters, are utterly blind to the true divine authority standing before them. Their question, intended to expose Jesus' lack of human accreditation, inadvertently highlights the unique, transcendent source of His power, which they refuse to acknowledge. This scene also serves as **Foreshadowing**, hinting at the ultimate rejection and condemnation of Jesus by these same authorities.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The challenge to Jesus' authority in Luke 20:2 is a moment of profound theological significance, revealing the core conflict between divine truth and human resistance. The religious leaders, steeped in tradition and institutional power, could not comprehend or accept an authority that did not derive from their established systems. Their demand for a human source for Jesus' power underscores their spiritual blindness to the direct, inherent, and divine authority of the Son of God. Jesus' subsequent response, turning the question back to them about John the Baptist's authority ([Luke 20:3-8](/luke/20-3-8 "Jesus' Counter-Question")), brilliantly exposes their hypocrisy and unwillingness to acknowledge truth, whether from God or man, if it challenged their vested interests. This episode ultimately affirms that Jesus' authority is not delegated by any earthly institution, but is intrinsic to His divine nature and mission, a truth later fully revealed in His post-resurrection declaration.

* [Matthew 21:23-27](/matthew/21-23-27 "Parallel Account: Jesus' Authority Challenged")
* [Mark 11:27-33](/mark/11-27-33 "Parallel Account: Jesus' Authority Questioned")
* [Matthew 28:18](/matthew/28-18 "Jesus Declares All Authority Given to Him")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 20:2 serves as a timeless mirror, reflecting the human tendency to question and resist divine authority when it challenges our preconceived notions, established systems, or personal comfort. The religious leaders were not seeking truth; they were seeking control and validation of their own power. For believers today, this verse prompts us to deeply examine the source of authority we acknowledge in our lives. Do we recognize and submit to the divine authority of Christ, not merely as a historical figure, but as the living Lord whose words and actions carry ultimate weight? Or do we, like the chief priests, scribes, and elders, seek human explanations, institutional endorsements, or personal convenience as the basis for our belief and obedience? This passage challenges us to confront any resistance within our own hearts to God's truth and to humbly acknowledge that Jesus' actions and teachings are backed by the ultimate heavenly mandate, inviting us to trust and follow Him without reservation.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life do I tend to question or resist Jesus' authority?**
* **How does my understanding of Jesus' divine authority impact my daily decisions and priorities?**
* **Am I more concerned with human approval or divine affirmation in my faith journey?**
* **What "things" in my life or in the church might Jesus challenge with His authority today, and how would I respond?**

### FAQ

**Who were the individuals challenging Jesus in Luke 20:2?**
Answer: The individuals challenging Jesus were "the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders" ([Luke 20:1](/luke/20-1 "The Challenge to Jesus' Authority")). These groups represented the religious and political establishment in Jerusalem, forming the core of the Sanhedrin, the supreme Jewish ruling council. The chief priests were primarily Sadducees, responsible for temple operations; the scribes were experts in the Law, often Pharisees; and the elders were influential lay leaders. They collectively held significant power and authority among the Jewish people.

**Why did they ask Jesus "by what authority doest thou these things?"**
Answer: They asked this question primarily to trap Jesus and find grounds to accuse Him. Jesus had just dramatically cleansed the temple and was teaching daily with profound impact, actions that implicitly challenged their authority and control over the temple and the people. By asking about His authority, they aimed to force Him into a dilemma: if He claimed divine authority, they could accuse Him of blasphemy; if He claimed human authority, they could discredit Him as merely another false prophet or rebel, undermining His popular support. Their goal was to either arrest Him or diminish His influence, as seen in the broader narrative of [Luke 20](/luke/20 "Jesus' Authority Challenged and Parables").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The confrontation in [Luke 20:2](/luke/20-2 "The Challenge to Jesus' Authority"), where Jesus' authority is questioned, profoundly foreshadows His ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment. The religious leaders, seeking a human or institutional source for His power, were blind to the truth that Jesus' authority was inherent, divine, and ultimately given to Him by the Father for the salvation of the world. This scene sets the stage for the Passion narrative, where Jesus' claims to divine authority would lead to His crucifixion, yet paradoxically, it is through His death and resurrection that His supreme authority is fully vindicated and established. As [Philippians 2:9-11](/philippians/2-9-11 "Christ's Exaltation and Authority") proclaims, God "highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." His _exousía_ is not merely for teaching or temple cleansing, but for forgiving sins ([Mark 2:10](/mark/2-10 "Jesus Forgives Sins with Authority")), casting out demons ([Luke 4:36](/luke/4-36 "Jesus' Authority Over Demons")), and ultimately, for exercising all authority in heaven and on earth ([Matthew 28:18](/matthew/28-18 "The Great Commission and Jesus' Authority")) to bring about the new creation. Thus, the challenge in Luke 20:2, though intended to undermine Him, ultimately serves to highlight the unique, unparalleled, and saving authority of Christ, the true Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "Jesus, the Lamb of God")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

John 2:18

Then answered the Jews and said unto him, What sign shewest thou unto us, seeing that thou doest these things?

Acts 7:27

But he that did his neighbour wrong thrust him away, saying, Who made thee a ruler and a judge over us?

Mark 11:28

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

Mark 11:33

And they answered and said unto Jesus, We cannot tell. And Jesus answering saith unto them, Neither do I tell you by what authority I do these things.

Matthew 21:23

¶ And when he was come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came unto him as he was teaching, and said, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority?

Matthew 21:27

And they answered Jesus, and said, We cannot tell. And he said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.

Exodus 2:14

And he said, Who made thee a prince and a judge over us? intendest thou to kill me, as thou killedst the Egyptian? And Moses feared, and said, Surely this thing is known.