Mark 11:28

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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}?

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?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Mark 11:28 captures the pivotal moment when the chief priests, scribes, and elders directly confront Jesus in the Temple courts, demanding to know the source of His authority for His recent actions, particularly the cleansing of the Temple. This interrogation serves as a direct challenge to His messianic claims and a strategic attempt by the religious establishment to undermine His influence and legitimacy among the people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated immediately after Jesus' dramatic cleansing of the Temple, where He overturned the tables of money changers and drove out those selling animals for sacrifice, declaring the Temple a "house of prayer for all nations" that had been turned into a "den of robbers" ([Mark 11:15-17](/mark/11-15-17 "Mark 11:15-17 - Jesus Cleanses the Temple")). His actions were a direct challenge to the established religious order and their profitable, yet corrupt, practices. The leaders' question in [Mark 11:28](/mark/11-28 "Mark 11:28 - The Question of Jesus' Authority") is a direct response to this perceived usurpation of their jurisdiction and a challenge to His right to perform such acts. The narrative then flows into Jesus' counter-question about John the Baptist's authority ([Mark 11:29-33](/mark/11-29-33 "Mark 11:29-33 - Jesus' Counter-Question")), which masterfully exposes the hypocrisy and fear of His interrogators.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jerusalem during Passover week was a highly charged environment, bustling with pilgrims. The Temple was the epicenter of Jewish religious, social, and economic life, controlled by the priestly aristocracy, primarily the Sadducees, who held significant power under Roman oversight. The chief priests, scribes, and elders represented the Sanhedrin, the highest Jewish ruling council. Their authority was derived from their positions within this established system and their interpretation of the Mosaic Law and traditions. For someone like Jesus, a Galilean teacher without formal rabbinic training or priestly lineage, to perform such a radical act as cleansing the Temple was an unprecedented challenge to their authority and a potential incitement to unrest, which could provoke Roman intervention. Their question was not a genuine search for truth but a legal and theological trap designed to force Jesus into a position where they could accuse Him of blasphemy or sedition.
* **Key Themes:** The central theme explored in [Mark 11](/mark/11 "Mark 11 - Authority and Faith") and particularly in this verse is the **nature of authority**. The religious leaders operate under human-sanctioned authority, rooted in tradition, position, and political expediency. Jesus, however, consistently demonstrates an inherent **divine authority**, evident in His teaching ([Mark 1:22](/mark/1-22 "Mark 1:22 - Jesus Teaches with Authority")), His power over demons and disease ([Mark 1:27](/mark/1-27 "Mark 1:27 - Jesus Commands Demons")), and now, His actions in the Temple. This confrontation highlights the stark contrast between worldly, self-serving authority and God-given, righteous authority. Another key theme is **confrontation and opposition**, as Jesus' ministry continually brought Him into conflict with those who clung to power and tradition over truth and righteousness, culminating in the events leading to His crucifixion.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **authority (Greek, _exousía'_):** G1849. This term signifies not merely permission, but a comprehensive combination of right, power, and privilege. It denotes the legitimate capacity to act, often implying delegated power or inherent mastery. When the religious leaders question Jesus' "authority," they are probing the ultimate source of His actions, asking whether He possesses the legitimate right and power to perform such significant deeds, especially those impacting the Temple, which was under their jurisdiction. It encompasses both the legal right and the effective power to execute that right.
* **doest/do (Greek, _poiéō'_):** G4160. This verb is a broad term meaning "to make or do" in a very wide application. In this context, it refers to Jesus' specific actions, particularly the cleansing of the Temple and His teaching within its precincts. The leaders are not just questioning His words but His deeds, which directly challenged their established order and control. The repetition of "do these things" emphasizes the specific, tangible actions that provoked their inquiry.
* **gave (Greek, _dídōmi'_):** G1325. This verb means "to give," also with a wide application. In the leaders' second question, "who gave thee this authority," they are seeking to identify the source of Jesus' power. They are looking for a human or institutional grantor of authority, a rabbi, a council, or even a Roman official. This reveals their inability to comprehend or accept the possibility of inherent, divine authority, which Jesus subtly points to in His subsequent counter-question regarding John's baptism.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And say unto him,"**: This phrase sets the scene for the direct confrontation. The "him" refers to Jesus, and the "say" (from _légō_) indicates a formal, deliberate questioning, not a casual inquiry. The interrogators are identified in the preceding verse ([Mark 11:27](/mark/11-27 "Mark 11:27 - Jesus Returns to the Temple")) as the chief priests, scribes, and elders—the official religious and political leadership.
* **"By what authority doest thou these things?"**: This is the initial, direct challenge. The phrase "By what authority" (_en poíō exousía_) questions the legitimacy and source of Jesus' power. "These things" refers to His recent actions, primarily the Temple cleansing, but also His teaching and miraculous deeds that had drawn large crowds and challenged their control. They are demanding to see His credentials, his "license" to operate as He does.
* **"and who gave thee this authority to do these things?"**: This second question is a clarification and intensification of the first, designed to force Jesus into a corner. It seeks to identify the specific grantor of His authority. If He claims divine authority, they could accuse Him of blasphemy. If He claims human authority, they could dismiss Him as an unauthorized renegade. The repetition of "authority" and "do these things" underscores the gravity of their concern and their desire to pinpoint the origin of His power.

#### Literary Devices
Mark 11:28 employs several significant **literary devices**. The most prominent is **Interrogation**, as the entire verse consists of two direct questions posed by the religious leaders. This serves to immediately establish a confrontational tone and highlight the central conflict over authority. The questions themselves function as a **Rhetorical Trap**, designed not to elicit genuine information but to corner Jesus, forcing Him to make a statement that could be used against Him, whether for blasphemy or sedition. The **Repetition** of the phrase "authority" (_exousía_) and "do these things" (_poiéō taûta_) emphasizes the core issue at stake—the legitimacy and source of Jesus' actions. This repetition underscores the leaders' obsession with formal authorization and their inability to recognize inherent divine power.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The interrogation of Jesus' authority in Mark 11:28 is a profound theological moment, highlighting the clash between human-derived religious power and divine, inherent authority. The religious leaders, steeped in tradition and institutional hierarchy, could not conceive of authority that did not originate from their established systems or human appointment. Jesus, however, operated with an authority that stemmed directly from His divine nature and His unique relationship with God the Father. This confrontation foreshadows the ultimate rejection of Jesus by the religious establishment, who prioritized their power and traditions over the truth of God's revelation in Christ. It underscores the biblical principle that true authority in God's kingdom is not conferred by human institutions but flows from God Himself, often manifested in ways that challenge human expectations and established norms.

* [Matthew 21:23](/matthew/21-23 "Matthew 21:23 - The Question of Jesus' Authority")
* [Luke 20:2](/luke/20-2 "Luke 20:2 - The Leaders Question Jesus' Authority")
* [John 5:27](/john/5-27 "John 5:27 - The Father Gives Authority to the Son")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The challenge to Jesus' authority in Mark 11:28 resonates deeply with contemporary life, inviting us to reflect on the nature of true authority and where we place our trust. In a world saturated with competing claims to truth and power, discerning genuine authority is paramount. This passage reminds us that authentic spiritual authority does not always conform to human expectations, institutional credentials, or popular acclaim. Instead, it is often characterized by humility, service, and a radical commitment to God's will, as exemplified by Jesus. For believers, recognizing Jesus' inherent divine authority strengthens our faith, assuring us that His teachings are truth, His commands are righteous, and His power is absolute. It calls us to examine the sources of authority we permit in our own lives, ensuring that our ultimate allegiance is to Christ, who acts with perfect wisdom and divine right, rather than to human systems or fleeting trends.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What sources of authority do I primarily recognize and submit to in my life?**
* **How do I discern between human-derived authority and divinely-appointed authority in religious or spiritual matters?**
* **In what ways might I, like the religious leaders, be resistant to God's authority when it challenges my comfort, traditions, or preconceived notions?**
* **How does understanding Jesus' inherent authority impact my trust in His teachings and His power to act in my life?**

### FAQ
**Why were the religious leaders so concerned about Jesus' authority?**

Answer: The religious leaders were deeply concerned about Jesus' authority because His actions, particularly the cleansing of the Temple ([Mark 11:15-17](/mark/11-15-17 "Mark 11:15-17 - Jesus Cleanses the Temple")), directly challenged their control, power, and theological interpretations. The Temple was their domain, and Jesus' disruptive acts were seen as a usurpation of their jurisdiction. Furthermore, His growing popularity and claims implicitly threatened their standing with the Roman authorities, who maintained peace by allowing the Jewish leadership to manage religious affairs. They sought to discredit Him by demanding to know the source of His "authority" (_exousía_), hoping to trap Him into a statement that could be used for accusations of blasphemy or sedition. Their question was a strategic attempt to delegitimize Him in the eyes of the people and the Roman government.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Mark 11:28, with its pointed question about Jesus' authority, finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the New Testament's consistent portrayal of Jesus as the Son of God, who possesses all authority by divine right. The leaders' demand, "By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority to do these things?" is ultimately answered by the resurrection and ascension of Christ. After His resurrection, Jesus explicitly declares, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me" ([Matthew 28:18](/matthew/28-18 "Matthew 28:18 - The Great Commission")). This is not a delegated authority in the human sense, but a declaration of His inherent divine power, now fully manifested and acknowledged. The One who was questioned by the earthly religious powers is revealed as the One to whom all power belongs, the very Word of God through whom all things were made ([John 1:1-3](/john/1-1-3 "John 1:1-3 - The Word Was God")). His authority to cleanse the Temple, teach, heal, forgive sins ([Mark 2:10](/mark/2-10 "Mark 2:10 - Jesus Forgives Sins")), and ultimately lay down His life and take it up again ([John 10:18](/john/10-18 "John 10:18 - Jesus' Authority Over His Life")) stems not from any human source, but from His unique identity as God incarnate. Thus, the challenge in Mark 11:28 serves to highlight the incomprehensible depth of Christ's true authority, which transcends all earthly power structures and culminates in His cosmic reign as Lord over all.

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

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: