Mark 11:33

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.

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}.

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

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

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.

Mark 11:33 concludes a pivotal exchange between Jesus and the chief priests, scribes, and elders in Jerusalem. This verse highlights their evasion and Jesus' masterful response, underscoring His divine authority.

Context

Following Jesus' dramatic cleansing of the Temple, the religious leaders confronted Him, demanding to know by what authority He performed such actions (Mark 11:28). Instead of directly answering, Jesus posed a counter-question about the source of John the Baptist's authority: was it from heaven or from men? The leaders, caught in a dilemma—fearing the people if they denied John's divine mandate, and entrapping themselves if they affirmed it without having believed him—chose to feign ignorance. Their response, "We cannot tell," was a deliberate evasion, not an honest admission.

Key Themes

  • Divine Authority of Jesus: The core issue was Jesus' inherent authority (Greek: exousia). His actions and teachings were not from human permission but from God. By refusing to answer their manipulative question, Jesus protected the sanctity of His divine mission from being subjected to their earthly judgment. His authority is absolute, as seen in Matthew 28:18.
  • Religious Hypocrisy and Evasion: The leaders' refusal to answer stemmed from fear of public opinion and loss of power, rather than a genuine search for truth. Their "we cannot tell" exposed their spiritual blindness and the fear of man that characterized their leadership.
  • Jesus' Strategic Wisdom: Jesus' response, "Neither do I tell you by what authority I do these things," was not a refusal to answer but a strategic parry. He demonstrated divine wisdom by refusing to engage in their power games when they themselves refused to acknowledge clear spiritual truth.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "authority" is exousia (ἐξουσία), which denotes rightful power, jurisdiction, or liberty. The religious leaders questioned Jesus' exousia, implying He was acting without proper human or religious sanction. Jesus' refusal to "tell" them highlights that His authority was not subject to their approval, nor would He cast pearls before swine (a concept related to Matthew 7:6).

Practical Application

This passage reminds us that truth is not always served by direct answers, especially when the questioners are insincere or seeking to trap. It teaches us to:

  • Discern Motives: Understand whether questions are asked out of genuine inquiry or out of a desire to undermine or manipulate.
  • Uphold Divine Truth: Recognize that God's authority is supreme and not dependent on human validation or approval.
  • Exercise Wisdom: Learn from Jesus' example of strategic silence or indirect answers when facing hostile or insincere questioning, protecting the sacred from contempt.

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.

  • 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.

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