Luke 20:2

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

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}?

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

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

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

Context

Luke 20:2 immediately follows Jesus' actions in the temple, where He had just cleansed the temple courts of merchants and was subsequently teaching the people daily (Luke 19:45-47). The "things" referred to in this verse are precisely these authoritative actions: His expulsion of the money-changers and His public teaching. The questioners—the chief priests, scribes, and elders—represent the established religious and political powers in Jerusalem. They confront Jesus not out of genuine curiosity, but to challenge His legitimacy and authority, aiming to find grounds for His arrest or discredit Him in the eyes of the people.

Key Themes

  • The Authority of Jesus: This verse highlights the central issue of Jesus' ministry—the source of His power and right to act and teach as He did. The religious leaders demand to know if His authority is from God or from man, a question central to understanding His divine nature and mission.
  • Religious Opposition and Challenge: The question posed by the chief priests, scribes, and elders reveals their deep-seated hostility and resistance to Jesus. They are not seeking truth but attempting to trap Him and undermine His influence, reflecting a pattern of opposition seen throughout His ministry (e.g., Luke 11:15).
  • Divine Commission vs. Human Mandate: The leaders' query, "who is he that gave thee this authority?", implies they were looking for a human or institutional source for Jesus' actions, unwilling to consider a divine one. This underscores their spiritual blindness to God's work unfolding before them.

Linguistic Insights

The key Greek word for "authority" here is exousia (ἐξουσία). It signifies more than just power; it denotes the right, privilege, or delegated power to act. It encompasses both the ability and the legitimate claim to exercise that ability. By asking "by what authority," they were questioning His legal and spiritual right to perform such significant acts and teach with such profound impact, unlike their own scribes (cf. Mark 1:22).

Cross-References and Connections

This challenge to Jesus' authority is a pivotal moment, echoed in parallel accounts in the other Synoptic Gospels (Matthew 21:23-27 and Mark 11:27-33). Jesus' response, turning the question back on them regarding John the Baptist's authority, brilliantly exposes their hypocrisy and avoids their trap. Ultimately, Jesus would declare that all authority in heaven and on earth had been given to Him (Matthew 28:18), confirming the divine source of His exousia.

Practical Application

For believers today, Luke 20:2 serves as a reminder to consider the source of true authority in our lives. Do we recognize and submit to the divine authority of Christ, or do we, like the religious leaders, seek human explanations or resist His claims? This verse challenges us to examine our own hearts for any resistance to God's truth and to acknowledge that Jesus' actions and teachings are backed by the ultimate heavenly mandate.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • John 2:18 (3 votes)

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

  • Acts 7:27 (3 votes)

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

  • Mark 11:28 (3 votes)

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

  • Mark 11:33 (3 votes)

    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 (3 votes)

    ¶ 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 (3 votes)

    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 (3 votes)

    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.