Mark 11:28

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

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}?

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?"

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

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

Mark 11:28 records a direct confrontation between Jesus and the religious establishment in Jerusalem, following His triumphal entry and the dramatic cleansing of the Temple.

Context

This verse immediately follows Jesus' actions in the Temple, particularly His overturning the tables of moneychangers and driving out those who sold doves (Mark 11:15-17). These actions were a profound challenge to the established religious order and their profitable practices within the Temple courts. The chief priests, scribes, and elders—the powerful Jewish leaders—came to Jesus as He walked in the Temple, demanding to know the source of His power and authorization for such disruptive acts.

Key Themes

  • The Nature of Authority: The central question revolves around authority (Greek: exousia), which implies both the right and the power to act. The leaders were not just asking for a permit; they were questioning the very source of Jesus' actions, whether it was human, divine, or even demonic. This challenge aimed to delegitimize Him in the eyes of the people.
  • Divine vs. Human Authority: The religious leaders operated under human-sanctioned authority, derived from their positions and traditions. Jesus, however, acted with inherent divine authority, a stark contrast that continually challenged their established order.
  • Questioning Jesus: This interrogation was not a genuine search for truth but an attempt to trap Jesus. If He claimed divine authority, they could accuse Him of blasphemy. If He claimed human authority, they could dismiss Him as a rogue teacher. Jesus' counter-question in the subsequent verses (Mark 11:29-30) masterfully exposes their true intentions.

Linguistic Insight

The Greek word translated as "authority" is exousia (ἐξουσία). It signifies not merely permission, but a combination of right, power, and privilege. When the religious leaders asked "By what authority," they were probing the ultimate source of Jesus' power and right to perform such significant acts, especially the cleansing of the Temple, which was under their jurisdiction. This term is also used elsewhere to describe Pilate's delegated authority and Jesus' own inherent power over life and death.

Practical Application

This passage reminds us that true spiritual authority comes from God, not from human titles, positions, or institutions alone. It challenges us to discern the source of actions and teachings, recognizing that genuine divine authority often operates outside conventional expectations. For believers today, understanding Jesus' inherent authority strengthens our faith in His power and sovereignty, encouraging us to follow Him who acts with perfect wisdom and divine right.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 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.

  • Numbers 16:13

    [Is it] a small thing that thou hast brought us up out of a land that floweth with milk and honey, to kill us in the wilderness, except thou make thyself altogether a prince over us?

  • Numbers 16:3

    And they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron, and said unto them, [Ye take] too much upon you, seeing all the congregation [are] holy, every one of them, and the LORD [is] among them: wherefore then lift ye up yourselves above the congregation of the LORD?

  • Acts 7:27

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

  • Acts 7:28

    Wilt thou kill me, as thou diddest the Egyptian yesterday?

  • Acts 7:51

    ¶ Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers [did], so [do] ye.

  • Acts 7:38

    This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sina, and [with] our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us:

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