TRV
Translation
King James Version
And Jesus said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.
Complete Jewish Bible
Yeshua said to them, “Then I won’t tell you by what s’mikhah I do these things.”
Berean Standard Bible
And Jesus replied, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.”
American Standard Version
And Jesus said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.
World English Bible Messianic
Yeshua said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.”
Geneva Bible (1599)
Then Iesus sayd vnto them, Neither tell I you, by what authoritie I doe these things.
Young's Literal Translation
and Jesus said to them, `Neither do I say to you by what authority I do these things.'
See on the biblical-era map
In the KJVVerse 25,788 of 31,102
Study This Verse
Commentary on Luke 20 verses 1–8
1 ¶ And it came to pass, that on one of those days, as he taught the people in the temple, and preached the gospel, the chief priests and the scribes came upon him with the elders,
2 And spake unto him, saying, Tell us, by what authority doest thou these things? or who is he that gave thee this authority?
3 And he answered and said unto them, I will also ask you one thing; and answer me:
4 The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men?
5 And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say, Why then believed ye him not?
6 But and if we say, Of men; all the people will stone us: for they be persuaded that John was a prophet.
7 And they answered, that they could not tell whence it was.
8 And Jesus said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.
I. II. Main points1. 2. Sub-points
In this passage of story nothing is added here to what we had in the other evangelists; but only in the first verse, where we are told,
I. That he was now teaching the people in the temple, and preaching the gospel. Note, Christ was a preacher of his own gospel. He not only purchased the salvation for us, but published it to us, which is a great confirmation of the truth of the gospel, and gives abundant encouragement to us to receive it, for it is a sign that the heart of Christ was much upon it, to have it received. This likewise puts an honour upon the preachers of the gospel, and upon their office and work, how much soever they are despised by a vain world. It puts an honour upon the popular preachers of the gospel; Christ condescended to the capacities of the people in preaching the gospel, and taught them. And observe, when he was preaching the gospel to the people he had this interruption given him. Note, Satan and his agents do all they can to hinder the preaching of the gospel to the people, for nothing weakens the interest of Satan's kingdom more.
II. That his enemies are here said to come upon him - epestēsan. The word is used only here, and it intimates,
1.That they thought to surprise him with this question; they came upon him suddenly, hoping to catch him unprovided with an answer, as if this were not a thing he had himself thought of.
2.That they thought to frighten him with this question. They came upon him in a body, with violence. But how could he be terrified with the wrath of men, when it was in his own power to restrain it, and make it turn to his praise? From this story itself we may learn, (1.) That it is not to be thought strange, if even that which is evident to a demonstration be disputed, and called in question, as a doubtful thing, by those that shut their eyes against the light. Christ's miracles plainly showed by what authority he did these things, and sealed his commission; and yet this is that which is here arraigned. (2.) Those that question Christ's authority, if they be but catechized themselves in the plainest and most evident principles of religion, will have their folly made manifest unto all men. Christ answered these priests and scribes with a question concerning the baptism of John, a plain question, which the meanest of the common people could answer: Was it from heaven or of men? They all knew it was from heaven; there was nothing in it that had an earthly relish or tendency, but it was all heavenly and divine. And this question gravelled them, and ran them aground, and served to shame them before the people. (3.) It is not strange if those that are governed by reputation and secular interest imprison the plainest truths, and smother and stifle the strongest convictions, as these priests and scribes did, who, to save their credit, would not own that John's baptism was from heaven, and had no other reason why they did not say it was of men but because they feared the people. What good can be expected from men of such a spirit? (4.) Those that bury the knowledge they have are justly denied further knowledge. It was just with Christ to refuse to give an account of his authority to them that knew the baptism of John to be from heaven and would not believe in him, nor own their knowledge, Luk 20:7, Luk 20:8.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 1–8. Public domain.
Copy as
TertullianAD 220
Against Marcion Book IV
But, at any rate, when He actually met their refusal to say what they thought, with such reprisals as, "Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things," He returned evil for evil! "Render unto Caesar the things which be Caesar's, and unto God the things which be God's.
Eusebius of Caesarea (as quoted by Aquinas, AD 1274)AD 339
Catena Aurea by Aquinas
But the rulers who should have been struck with wonder at one who taught such heavenly doctrines, and have been convinced by His words and deeds that this was the same Christ whom the Prophets had foretold, came to hinder Him, so helping onward the destruction of the people. For it follows, And spake unto him, saying, Tell us, by what authority doest thou these things? &c. As if he said; By the law of Moses, those only who are sprung from the blood of Levi have authority to teach, and power over the sacred buildings. But Thou who art of the line of Judah usurpest the offices assigned to us. Whereas, O Pharisee, if thou hadst known the Scriptures, thou wouldest have called to mind that this is the Priest after the order of Melchisedec, who offers to God them that believe on Him by that worship which is above the law. Why then art thou troubled. He cast out of the sacred house things which seemed necessary for the sacrifices of the law, because He calls us by faith to the true righteousness.
His question concerning John the Baptist is not from whence was he sprung, but whence received he his law of baptism But they feared not to shun the truth. For God sent John as a voice, crying, Prepare ye the way of the Lord. But they dreaded to speak the truth, lest it should be said, Why did ye not believe? and they scruple to blame the forerunner, not from fear of God, but of the people; as it follows, And they reasoned within themselves, saying, If we shall say, From, heaven; he will say, Why then believed ye him not.
Ephrem the SyrianAD 373
COMMENTARY ON TATIAN’S DIATESSARON 16.17
While he was teaching the crowds and evangelizing them, the chief priests and the scribes came and said to him, “By what power are you doing this?” If it were a question of his teaching, how could they have called it a work? It is clear that he referred to his works as testimony to the truth of his words, according to what he said: “If you do not believe in me, believe at least in the works.” “By what power are you doing this?” They interrogated him like inquisitors, but he did not reply to them, since they did not approach him as students out of love in order to be taught but as rebels. He asked them in turn, “From where did the baptism of John come?” His word pressured them in such a way that they were forced to confess that they had not believed in John. He asked, “Was it from heaven or from human beings?” They began to reflect on it in their minds and to say, “If we say that it was from heaven, he will say, ‘Why did you not believe in it?’ If we say, ‘From human beings,’ we are afraid of the crowd.” When they said, “If it is from heaven,” they did not also say, “We are afraid of God.” They were thus afraid of human beings but not of God.
Augustine of HippoAD 430
SERMON 293.4
The Jews, to discredit him, said to the Lord, "By what authority are you doing these things? If you are the Christ, tell us openly." They were looking for a pretext, not for faith. They wanted something by which to catch him, not something by which to be liberated. Notice what answer the one who could see their hearts gave to confound them with the lamp. He said, "I will also ask you one question. Tell me, John's baptism, from where is it? Is it from heaven, or from men?" They were immediately sent staggering backward. Although the daylight was only shining gently, they were forced to fumble and blink, since they were unable to gaze at that brilliance. They took refuge in the darkness of their hearts, and there they began to get very agitated among themselves, stumbling and falling about. We might say that they said this to themselves where they were thinking, yet where he could see. If we say, "They said, 'It is from heaven,' he will say to us, 'Why did you not believe him? He testified to Christ the Lord.' If we say, 'From men,' the people will stone us, because they regarded John as a great prophet." They said, "We do not know." You do not know, because you are in darkness and are losing the light. After all, is not it much better, if darkness is occupying the human heart, to let the light in and not to lose it? When they said, "We do not know," the Lord said, "Neither do I tell you by what authority I am doing these things. You see, I know in what mind you said 'We do not know,' not because you wish to be taught, but because you are afraid to confess."
Cyril of AlexandriaAD 444
COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 133
They were unworthy to learn the truth and to see the pathway that leads directly to every good work. Christ answered them, "Neither do I tell you by what authority I do these things." The Jews therefore did not know the truth, and they were not taught of God, that is, of Christ. Christ reveals that knowledge to us who have believed in him. We, receiving in mind and heart his divine and adorable mystery, or rather the knowledge of it, and being careful to fulfill those things which are pleasing to him, shall reign with him.
BedeAD 735
On the Gospel of Luke
And they answered that they did not know whence he was. And Jesus said to them: Neither do I tell you by what authority I do these things. I do not tell you what I know, because you do not wish to confess what you know. Rejected most justly, they certainly left confused, and what is said in the psalm by the Prophet God the Father was fulfilled: I have prepared a lamp for my Christ (Psalm CXXXI), that is, John himself: I will clothe his enemies with confusion (Ibid.). However, it should be noted that the knowledge of the truth is to be concealed from those seeking for two main reasons, namely when the one who seeks is either less capable of understanding what he seeks, or is unworthy out of hatred or contempt for the truth itself that it should be revealed to him. For the sake of the one, the Lord said: I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now (John XVI). For the other reason, however, he instructs the disciples: Do not give what is holy to dogs or cast your pearls before swine (Matthew VII).
Bede (as quoted by Aquinas, AD 1274)AD 735
Catena Aurea by Aquinas
Or when they say, By what authority doest thou these things? they doubt concerning the power of God, and wish it to be understood that of the devil He doeth this. Adding moreover, And who is he that gave thee this authority? Most plainly do they deny the Son of God when they think that not by His own power but another's He doeth miracles. Now our Lord by a simple answer might have refuted such a calumny; but He wisely asks a question, that by their silence or their words they might condemn themselves. And he answered and said unto them, I also will ask, &c.
As if He should say, He whom yon confess had his gift of prophecy from heaven, and gave testimony to Me. And ye heard from him by what power I should do these things. It follows, But if we shall say, Of men; the whole people will stone us: for they be persuaded that John was a prophet. Therefore perceived they in whatever way they should answer they would fall into a trap, fearing the stoning, but much more the confession of the truth. And then it follows, And they answered, that they could not tell whence it was. Because they will not confess that which they knew, they were baffled, and the Lord would not tell them what He knew; as it follows, And Jesus said unto them, Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things. For there are two reasons especially why we should conceal the truth from those that ask; for example, when the questioner is incapable of understanding what he asks, or when from hatred or contempt he is unworthy to have his questions answered.
Theophylact of Ohrid (as quoted by Aquinas, AD 1274)AD 1107
Catena Aurea by Aquinas
For that He might show that they had always rebelled against the Holy Spirit, and that besides Isaiah, whom they remembered not, they had refused to believe John whom they had lately seen; He now in his turn puts the question to them, proving that if so great a Prophet as John who was accounted greatest among them had been disbelieved when he testified of Him, they would in no wise believe Him, answering by what authority He did this.
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
Copy as
Continue studying Luke 20:8 across the web’s major study libraries — every link below opens this exact verse, chapter, or book on the destination site.
Read & Compare
BibleGatewayThis verse in more than 200 translations and 70 languages.
Bible.comThe YouVersion reader — hundreds of translations, reading plans, and highlights.
ESV.orgCrossway's official English Standard Version reader.
NET BibleThe NET translation with 60,000+ translators' notes on every rendering decision.
STEP BibleTyndale House's free study tool — original text, vocabulary, and scholarly resources.
BibliaLogos Bible Software's free web reader.
USCCBThe New American Bible (Revised Edition) with the U.S. bishops' study notes.
Commentaries
BibleHub CommentariesDozens of classic commentaries on this verse, gathered on one page.
StudyLightMore than 100 commentary sets — the largest collection on the web.
BibleRefPlain-English commentary on what this verse means, verse by verse.
Enduring WordDavid Guzik's free commentary on this chapter, widely used by Bible teachers.
Bible Study ToolsVerse commentary alongside Greek and Hebrew study aids.
Original Language & Research
- BibleHub InterlinearThe verse word by word — original language, transliteration, and English.
- BibleHub LexiconEvery word's original-language definition and Strong's entry.
Blue Letter BibleDeep-study tools — Strong's numbers, concordance, and word studies.
CNTR CollationThe earliest Greek manuscripts of this verse, collated letter by letter.
Sermons, Hymns & Audio
TrulyRandomVerse is not affiliated with these sites and doesn’t control their content. They’re linked because they’re genuinely useful.
SUMMARY
Luke 20:8 captures Jesus' profound and strategic refusal to answer the chief priests, scribes, and elders who challenged His authority in the Temple. This pivotal moment, occurring during Passion Week, underscores Jesus' divine sovereignty and wisdom, as He deftly exposes the insincere motives of His interrogators while implicitly asserting that His authority originates from a source far beyond human questioning or validation.
CONTEXT
Literary Context: This verse is the culmination of a direct confrontation initiated by the religious establishment in Jerusalem during the final days of Jesus' earthly ministry, often referred to as Passion Week. Immediately preceding this, Jesus had entered Jerusalem triumphantly and cleansed the Temple, actions that directly challenged the religious leaders' control and authority. In Luke 20:1-2, the chief priests, scribes, and elders, representing the Sanhedrin, confront Jesus in the Temple courts, demanding to know "by what authority" He was doing these things. Their question was a calculated trap: if Jesus claimed divine authority, they could accuse Him of blasphemy; if He claimed human authority, they could dismiss Him as a revolutionary. Jesus, however, masterfully counters their question with one of His own regarding the baptism of John the Baptist (Luke 20:3-4). The leaders, fearing the people who regarded John as a prophet, refused to answer Jesus honestly (Luke 20:5-7). Jesus' response in Luke 20:8 is a direct consequence of their evasion, effectively turning the tables and highlighting their hypocrisy.
Historical & Cultural Context: The setting is the Temple in Jerusalem during Passover week, a time of heightened religious and political tension. Jerusalem would have been teeming with pilgrims, making the Temple courts a focal point for public discourse and potential unrest. The chief priests, scribes, and elders were the most powerful religious and political figures in Judea, holding seats on the Sanhedrin, the supreme Jewish governing council. Their authority was deeply intertwined with the Temple system and the interpretation of the Mosaic Law. Challenging Jesus' "authority" (Greek: exousia) was not merely an academic debate; it was a direct challenge to His legitimacy as a teacher, prophet, and potential Messiah, threatening their established order and control over the populace. Their fear of the people's reaction to John the Baptist's prophetic status (Luke 20:6) reveals their pragmatic, self-preserving motives over any genuine theological inquiry.
Key Themes: This passage significantly contributes to several overarching themes within Luke's Gospel and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it powerfully underscores the theme of Divine Authority vs. Human Authority. Jesus' actions and teachings consistently demonstrate an authority that transcends human institutions, a point emphasized earlier in Luke 4:32 and Luke 4:36. His refusal to answer implicitly asserts that His authority is not subject to their interrogation or validation. Secondly, the passage highlights the Hypocrisy and Blindness of Religious Leaders. The leaders' inability or unwillingness to answer Jesus' simple question about John's baptism exposes their spiritual bankruptcy and their greater concern for reputation and power than for truth. This theme is pervasive in Jesus' interactions with the Pharisees and scribes throughout the Gospels, culminating in the woes pronounced in Luke 11:37-54. Finally, Jesus' strategic silence exemplifies Divine Wisdom and Discernment. He discerns their malicious intent and refuses to be drawn into their trap, demonstrating a wisdom that consistently outmaneuvers His adversaries, a characteristic evident in many of Jesus' parables and dialogues, such as the parable of the wicked tenants immediately following this exchange in Luke 20:9-19.
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Luke 20:8 employs several potent literary devices. Irony is prominent, as the religious leaders, who ostensibly represent divine authority, are utterly incapable of discerning or acknowledging true divine authority embodied in Jesus. Their demand for an explanation of His exousía is met with a refusal that implicitly underscores the very divine nature of that authority, which they are too spiritually blind to perceive. Jesus' response also functions as a Rhetorical Counter, a strategic non-answer that effectively turns the tables on His interrogators. Instead of directly engaging their trap, He uses their own refusal to answer His question about John the Baptist as justification for His silence, thereby exposing their hypocrisy and insincerity. This act of strategic silence is a form of Implication or Subtext, where the unspoken message is more powerful than any direct statement. By refusing to explain, Jesus implies that His authority is not derived from human institutions or traditions, but from a higher, unquestionable source, making their inquiry irrelevant.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 20:8 is deeply theological, revealing profound truths about Jesus' identity, the nature of divine authority, and the spiritual blindness of those who reject God's truth. Jesus' refusal to answer is not an evasion, but a powerful assertion that His authority is self-attesting and not dependent on human validation or explanation. It highlights the chasm between human-conceived religious power and genuine divine power. The leaders sought to trap Jesus within their legalistic framework, but Jesus operates from a realm of inherent divine right, demonstrating that true authority is recognized by spiritual discernment, not by institutional credentials. This episode serves as a stark warning against intellectual pride and spiritual obstinacy, showing how those who claim to be guardians of truth can become its greatest opponents when their own power is threatened.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 20:8 offers profound lessons for believers navigating a world that often challenges spiritual authority and truth. Jesus' example teaches us the importance of discernment in our interactions, particularly when confronted by those whose motives are not genuine inquiry but rather an attempt to trap or discredit. Not every question deserves a direct answer, especially when the interrogator's heart is closed to truth. Sometimes, strategic silence or a counter-question, as Jesus demonstrated, can be the most powerful way to expose hypocrisy and uphold truth without casting "pearls before swine" (Matthew 7:6). This passage challenges us to recognize that true authority, whether in our lives or in the church, ultimately comes from God, not from human titles, positions, or popular opinion. Our allegiance should be to Christ's divine authority, not to the shifting sands of human approval or institutional power. It encourages us to stand firm in the truth, even when it is misunderstood or rejected, trusting in God's wisdom to vindicate His ways.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why did Jesus refuse to tell the religious leaders by what authority He did these things?
Answer: Jesus refused to answer the religious leaders' question not because He lacked an answer, but because He recognized their malicious intent. Their question was a trap, designed either to accuse Him of blasphemy (if He claimed divine authority) or to dismiss Him as a revolutionary (if He claimed human authority). By first asking them about John the Baptist's authority (Luke 20:3-4), Jesus exposed their hypocrisy and fear of the people. Since they refused to answer His question truthfully, Jesus reciprocated by refusing to answer theirs. His refusal implicitly asserted that His authority was divine and not subject to their human interrogation or validation, simultaneously highlighting their spiritual blindness and unwillingness to acknowledge God's messengers.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 20:8, though a moment of refusal, powerfully points to the Christ-centered fulfillment of all authority. Jesus' refusal to state "by what authority" He acted underscores that His authority is not derived but inherent, flowing from His very being as the Son of God. This inherent authority is foundational to His redemptive mission. The very "things" He did – teaching with power, casting out demons, healing the sick, and ultimately cleansing the Temple – were all manifestations of His divine exousía. This authority culminates in His death and resurrection, where He demonstrates ultimate power over sin and death, fulfilling the prophecies of a Messiah who would reign with supreme dominion. After His resurrection, Jesus declares, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me" (Matthew 28:18), confirming that the authority He implicitly asserted in Luke 20:8 is now explicitly His, to be exercised for the building of His kingdom and the salvation of all who believe. His refusal to answer the religious leaders foreshadows their ultimate rejection of His authority, leading to His crucifixion, yet it is through this very act that His divine authority is ultimately revealed and established for all eternity (Philippians 2:9-11).