Mark 11:33

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} they answered {G611} and said {G3004} unto Jesus {G2424}, We {G1492} cannot {G3756} tell {G1492}. And {G2532} Jesus {G2424} answering {G611} saith {G3004} unto them {G846}, Neither {G3761} do I {G1473} tell {G3004} you {G5213} by {G1722} what {G4169} authority {G1849} I do {G4160} these things {G5023}.

Complete Jewish Bible

So they answered Yeshua, "We don't know." "Then," he replied, "I won't tell you by what s'mikhah I do these things."

Berean Standard Bible

So they answered, “We do not know.” And Jesus replied, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.”

American Standard Version

And they answered Jesus and say, We know not. And Jesus saith unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Mark 11:33 concludes a profound exchange between Jesus and the chief priests, scribes, and elders in Jerusalem, revealing the religious leaders' spiritual blindness and strategic evasion. Confronted about the source of His authority after cleansing the Temple, Jesus masterfully deflects their manipulative question by posing His own regarding John the Baptist's authority. Their feigned ignorance, expressed as "We cannot tell," prompts Jesus' equally strategic refusal to disclose the source of His power, thereby protecting divine truth from insincere scrutiny and underscoring the unchallengeable nature of His commission.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows Jesus' counter-question to the religious leaders concerning the origin of John the Baptist's baptism ([Mark 11:29-30](/mark/11-29-30 "Mark 11:29-30 - Jesus' Counter-Question")). The leaders had challenged Jesus' authority to perform actions like cleansing the Temple ([Mark 11:15-17](/mark/11-15-17 "Mark 11:15-17 - Jesus Cleanses the Temple")) and teaching in its precincts ([Mark 11:27-28](/mark/11-27-28 "Mark 11:27-28 - Questioning Jesus' Authority")). Their question was not a genuine search for truth but a trap designed to discredit Him. Jesus' response places them in an inescapable dilemma: affirming John's divine authority would condemn them for not believing him, while denying it would incite the crowds who revered John as a prophet. Their declaration, "We cannot tell," is thus a calculated, self-preserving lie, not an honest admission of ignorance.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The confrontation occurs in the Temple courts during Passover week, a time when Jerusalem was teeming with pilgrims and religious fervor, making public opinion highly volatile. The "chief priests, scribes, and elders" represented the Sanhedrin, the highest Jewish religious and judicial body, which held significant political and religious authority under Roman rule. They were the official custodians of Jewish law and tradition, and their challenge to Jesus' "authority" (Greek: _exousia_) was a direct questioning of His right to teach, perform miracles, and act as He did, particularly His disruptive cleansing of the Temple. Their concern was not merely theological but deeply rooted in maintaining their established power structure and control over the populace.
* **Key Themes:** The central theme is the **Divine Authority of Jesus**. The leaders' questioning of Jesus' _exousia_ ([Mark 11:28](/mark/11-28 "Mark 11:28 - The Leaders Question Jesus' Authority")) highlights their inability or unwillingness to recognize God's power manifest in Him. By refusing to answer their manipulative question, Jesus protects the sanctity of His divine mission from being subjected to their earthly judgment, asserting that His authority is absolute and not derived from human permission ([Matthew 28:18](/matthew/28-18 "Matthew 28:18 - All Authority Given to Jesus")). Another key theme is **Religious Hypocrisy and Evasion**. The leaders' "We cannot tell" ([Mark 11:33](/mark/11-33 "Mark 11:33 - The Leaders' Evasion")) reveals their spiritual blindness and their prioritization of self-preservation and public image over truth. Their fear of the people ([Mark 11:32](/mark/11-32 "Mark 11:32 - The Leaders' Fear of the People")) underscores the danger of the [fear of man](/proverbs/29-25 "Proverbs 29:25 - The Fear of Man as a Snare") becoming a snare. Finally, **Jesus' Strategic Wisdom** is evident. His counter-question and subsequent refusal to answer directly demonstrate His divine discernment, refusing to engage in a debate with those whose hearts were closed to truth, thereby upholding the sacredness of His mission and avoiding a trap.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **tell (Greek, _eídō'_):** From G1492, a primary verb meaning "to see (literally or figuratively); by implication, (in the perfect tense only) to know." In this context, the leaders' declaration "We cannot tell" (οὐκ οἴδαμεν - _ouk oidamen_) is not an admission of genuine ignorance, but a deliberate refusal to state what they knew to be true, or at least what they feared the implications of acknowledging. It signifies a feigned lack of knowledge or inability to articulate a position, born of strategic self-preservation rather than actual incomprehension.
* **authority (Greek, _exousía'_):** From G1849, denoting "privilege, i.e. (subjectively) force, capacity, competency, freedom, or (objectively) mastery (concretely, magistrate, superhuman, potentate, token of control), delegated influence." The leaders' initial question in [Mark 11:28](/mark/11-28 "Mark 11:28 - Questioning Jesus' Authority") concerned Jesus' _exousia_. This word implies a legitimate right to act, often derived from a higher source. Their challenge was to the divine legitimacy of Jesus' actions, implying He was acting without proper human or divine sanction. Jesus' refusal to answer underscores that His _exousia_ is inherent and not subject to their earthly validation.
* **tell (Greek, _légō'_):** From G3004, a primary verb meaning "to 'lay' forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words...); by implication, to mean." This word is used for both the leaders' response ("We cannot tell") and Jesus' counter-response ("Neither do I tell you"). While the leaders' "telling" is a deceptive evasion, Jesus' "telling" is a strategic refusal to articulate information to those who are unwilling to receive it truthfully. It highlights the difference between dishonest speech and wise silence.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And they answered and said unto Jesus, We cannot tell."**: This clause reveals the religious leaders' calculated response to Jesus' counter-question about John the Baptist's authority. Their "We cannot tell" (οὐκ οἴδαμεν) is a deliberate act of evasion. They understood the implications of either answer (divine origin would indict them for unbelief; human origin would alienate the masses), so they chose to feign ignorance, prioritizing their reputation and power over truth. It exposes their hypocrisy and fear of man.
* **"And Jesus answering saith unto them, Neither do I tell you by what authority I do these things."**: Jesus' response is a masterful parry. By refusing to answer their original question, He mirrors their evasion while simultaneously asserting His divine wisdom and sovereignty. He implicitly communicates that if they are unwilling to acknowledge a clear truth (John's divine authority), then He is under no obligation to reveal a deeper truth (His own divine authority) to their insincere and hostile inquiry. His actions are not subject to their approval or understanding when their hearts are hardened.

#### Literary Devices
Mark 11:33 is rich in **Irony**, as the religious leaders, who are supposed to be the custodians of truth, resort to a blatant lie ("We cannot tell") to avoid accountability. This is further amplified by Jesus' **Strategic Silence**, where His refusal to answer directly serves as a more potent response than any verbal explanation could be, exposing their insincerity. The entire exchange functions as a **Rhetorical Trap**, initiated by Jesus' counter-question, which forces the leaders into an impossible position, revealing their true motives. The leaders themselves act as a **Foil** to Jesus, highlighting His unwavering integrity and divine wisdom against their cowardice and manipulative tactics.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This passage powerfully illustrates the clash between divine truth and human deception, and the inherent authority of God's Son versus the self-serving authority of religious institutions. Jesus' refusal to answer is not an admission of lacking authority, but a demonstration that divine truth is not to be cast before those who are unwilling or unable to receive it sincerely. It highlights the principle that genuine inquiry is a prerequisite for revelation, and that God does not owe an explanation to those whose hearts are hardened and whose questions are designed to trap rather than to learn. This encounter foreshadows the broader rejection of Jesus by the religious establishment, rooted in their fear of losing control and their spiritual blindness to God's work among them.

* [Proverbs 26:4-5](/proverbs/26-4-5 "Proverbs 26:4-5 - Answering Fools")
* [Matthew 7:6](/matthew/7-6 "Matthew 7:6 - Do Not Cast Your Pearls Before Swine")
* [John 8:43-47](/john/8-43-47 "John 8:43-47 - Why You Do Not Understand My Language")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Mark 11:33 offers profound lessons for navigating interactions where truth is not genuinely sought, but rather used as a weapon or a trap. It challenges us to cultivate discernment, recognizing when questions are asked out of sincere inquiry versus manipulative intent. In a world often characterized by skepticism and hostility towards faith, Jesus' example teaches us the wisdom of strategic silence or indirect answers when direct engagement would be futile or compromise sacred truths. We are called to uphold the absolute authority of God's Word and the person of Christ, understanding that their validity does not depend on human validation or approval. This passage encourages us to prioritize spiritual integrity over the need to always "win" an argument, trusting that God's truth will ultimately prevail, even when met with evasion.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do I discern between a genuine question and a manipulative one in my conversations about faith?**
* **In what situations might it be wiser to remain silent or respond indirectly, rather than directly answering a challenging question?**
* **How does my understanding of Jesus' authority impact my confidence in sharing my faith, even when faced with opposition?**
* **Am I ever guilty of feigning ignorance or evading truth to protect my reputation or avoid discomfort?**

### FAQ

**Why didn't Jesus just tell them by what authority He acted?**

Answer: Jesus did not directly answer the religious leaders' question because their inquiry was not a genuine search for truth, but a trap designed to discredit Him and His ministry. They had already demonstrated their unwillingness to acknowledge clear divine revelation, as evidenced by their refusal to affirm John the Baptist's authority, which they knew to be from God ([Mark 11:32](/mark/11-32 "Mark 11:32 - The Leaders' Fear of the People")). To explain His divine authority to those who had already rejected lesser truths would have been akin to "casting pearls before swine" ([Matthew 7:6](/matthew/7-6 "Matthew 7:6 - Do Not Cast Your Pearls Before Swine")), a futile exercise that would have subjected sacred truth to their scorn. Jesus' refusal was a strategic act of wisdom, protecting His mission and implicitly condemning their spiritual blindness and hypocrisy.

**What was the significance of John the Baptist's authority in this exchange?**

Answer: John the Baptist's authority was crucial because he was God's chosen forerunner to the Messiah, preparing the way for Jesus ([Mark 1:2-3](/mark/1-2-3 "Mark 1:2-3 - John the Baptist, the Messenger")). His ministry and baptism were widely accepted by the people as being from God ([Mark 11:32](/mark/11-32 "Mark 11:32 - The Leaders' Fear of the People")). By asking about John's authority, Jesus forced the religious leaders into a dilemma. If they acknowledged John's divine authority, they would implicitly condemn themselves for not having believed him, and consequently, for not recognizing Jesus, whom John proclaimed. If they denied John's divine authority, they would face the wrath of the people. Their inability to answer revealed their spiritual cowardice and their rejection of God's clear revelation through John, which directly paralleled their rejection of Jesus' authority.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Mark 11:33, though seemingly a moment of impasse, profoundly reinforces the Christ-centered narrative of the Gospels. Jesus' unchallengeable authority, which the religious leaders sought to undermine, is a core attribute of His divine nature. His actions in the Temple, and indeed His entire ministry, were not by human commission but by the inherent authority of the Son of God, sent by the Father ([John 5:19-23](/john/5-19-23 "John 5:19-23 - The Son's Authority")). This encounter prefigures the ultimate display of His authority in His death and resurrection, where He would declare, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me" ([Matthew 28:18](/matthew/28-18 "Matthew 28:18 - The Great Commission")). The leaders' rejection of Jesus' authority, rooted in their fear and unbelief, tragically fulfills Old Testament prophecies of the Messiah being rejected by His own people ([Isaiah 53:3](/isaiah/53-3 "Isaiah 53:3 - He Was Despised and Rejected")). Yet, it is through this very rejection that Christ's ultimate redemptive authority is established, as He becomes the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), exercising His power to forgive sins and grant eternal life ([Mark 2:10](/mark/2-10 "Mark 2:10 - The Son of Man Has Authority to Forgive Sins")). Thus, this strategic silence in Mark 11:33 serves to highlight the sovereign and unassailable authority of Christ, whose power is not dependent on human recognition but is foundational to the very fabric of salvation history.

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

Isaiah 6:9

¶ And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not.

Isaiah 6:10

Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed.

Malachi 2:7

For the priest's lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth: for he [is] the messenger of the LORD of hosts.

Malachi 2:8

But ye are departed out of the way; ye have caused many to stumble at the law; ye have corrupted the covenant of Levi, saith the LORD of hosts.

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.

Luke 22:66

And as soon as it was day, the elders of the people and the chief priests and the scribes came together, and led him into their council, saying,

Luke 22:69

Hereafter shall the Son of man sit on the right hand of the power of God.