PER289

The authority of the Messiah Jesus challenged

In the Temple of Jerusalem, the religious leaders publicly challenge Jesus’ authority. With a clever counter-question about the baptism of John, he reduces them to silence and exposes their bad faith. This synoptic episode (Matt 21.23-27; Mark 11.27-33; Luke 20.1-8) illustrates the growing opposition of the authorities to the Messiah during his last week before the arrest.

4 min Jesus’ authority Temple of Jerusalem Pharisees challenge John the Baptist 4 verses 4 books

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Biblical texts

Matthew

Matthew 21.23-27 (King James Version)

And when he was come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came unto him as he was teaching, and said, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority?

And Jesus answered and said unto them, I also will ask you one thing, which if ye tell me, I in like wise will tell you by what authority I do these things.

The baptism of John, whence was it? from heaven, or of men? And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say unto us, Why did ye not then believe him?

But if we shall say, Of men; we fear the people; for all hold John as a prophet.

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.

King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org

Mark

Mark 11.27-33 (King James Version)

And they come again to Jerusalem: and as he was walking in the temple, there come to him the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders,

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

And Jesus answered and said unto them, I will also ask of you one question, and answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things.

The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men? answer me.

And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say, Why then did ye not believe him?

But if we shall say, Of men; they feared the people: for all men counted John, that he was a prophet indeed.

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.

King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org

Luke

Luke 20.1-8 (King James Version)

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,

And spake unto him, saying, Tell us, by what authority doest thou these things? or who is he that gave thee this authority?

And he answered and said unto them, I will also ask you one thing; and answer me:

The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men?

And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say, Why then believed ye him not?

But and if we say, Of men; all the people will stone us: for they be persuaded that John was a prophet.

And they answered, that they could not tell whence it was.

And Jesus said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.

King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org

John

John (King James Version) not cited in the book

Technical details

Location: The courtyard of the Temple of Jerusalem

Date: Tuesday, March 29, AD 33

Method: We continue with Mark

Note on the method: Matthew and Luke confirm this information

The Messiah Jesus was constantly questioned by the , who sought to trap him and to find in him the slightest fault.

Comments

Every day, the Messiah Jesus, accompanied by his disciples, went to the Temple of Jerusalem. This place, consecrated to prayer, had nevertheless become a true battlefield of spiritual conflict. The religious men of the day, unbelieving and jealous of his influence, sought only one thing: to catch him at fault, to trap him by his words in order to discredit his authority among the people.

On this day, his authority is openly called into question. But with unequaled wisdom, the Master exposes their contradictions and turns their accusations back upon them. No wonder, then, that the Temple guards could cry out:

John 7.46 (King James Version) :

The officers answered, Never man spake like this man.

King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org

His word resounded with a power and a purity that surpassed all human speech.

Sadly, these religious men were not seeking the truth. Their only intention was to preserve their position, their power and the privileges that religion conferred on them. By recalling the example of John the Baptist, Jesus reminds them that their heart is closed: they rejected the prophet who came to prepare the way, just as they now reject the Messiah himself.

Revealingly, they do not dwell on the facts themselves, the cleansing of the Temple and the driving out of the merchants, but on Jesus’ authority to act in this way. Deep down, they knew full well that by tolerating these transactions in the house of God they had gravely abused it. The Temple, once a place of prayer, had become a business center where money flowed freely. Finances were flourishing; conscience, by contrast, had fallen asleep. But they would never have admitted it, for fear of seeing their religious system exposed by the truth embodied in Jesus, the Holy and Righteous One.

L’autorité du Messie Jésus contestée. Au Temple de Jérusalem, les chefs religieux contestent publiquement l'autorité de Jésus. Par une contre-question habile sur le baptême de Jean, il les réduit au silence et dévoile leur mauvaise foi. Cet épisode synoptique (Mt 21.23-27 ; Mc 11.27-33 ; Lc 20.1-8) illustre l'opposition croissante des autorités face au Messie durant sa dernière semaine avant l'arrestation. Commentaires. Chaque jour, le Messie Jésus, accompagné de ses disciples, se rendait au Temple de Jérusalem. Ce lieu, consacré à la prière, était pourtant devenu un véritable champ d’affrontement spirituel. Les religieux de l’époque, incrédules et jaloux de son influence, ne cherchaient qu’une chose : le prendre en défaut, le piéger par ses paroles pour discréditer son autorité auprès du peuple. En ce jour, son autorité est ouvertement mise en question. Mais, avec une sagesse inégalée, le Maître dévoile leurs contradictions et renverse leurs accusations. Rien d’étonnant, alors, que les gardiens du Temple aient pu s’écrier : Passage : Jean 7, verset 46. Sa parole résonnait avec une force et une pureté qui dépassaient tout discours humain. Malheureusement, ces hommes religieux ne cherchaient pas la vérité. Leur seule intention était de préserver leur position, leur pouvoir et les privilèges que leur conférait la religion. Jésus, en évoquant l’exemple de Jean-Baptiste, leur rappelle que leur cœur est fermé : ils ont rejeté le prophète venu préparer la voie, tout comme ils rejettent maintenant le Messie lui-même. Fait révélateur, ils ne s’attardent pas sur les faits eux-mêmes, la purification du Temple et la chasse des marchands, mais sur l’autorité de Jésus pour agir ainsi. Au fond, ils savaient pourtant qu’en tolérant ces transactions dans la maison de Dieu, ils avaient largement abusé. Le Temple, autrefois un lieu de prière, était devenu un centre d’affaires où l’argent coulait à flots. Les finances étaient florissantes ; la conscience, en revanche, s’était endormie. Mais jamais ils ne l’auraient reconnu, de peur de voir leur système religieux mis en lumière par la vérité qu’incarnait Jésus, le Saint et le Juste.