27. Jesus and his followers went again to Jerusalem. Jesus was walking in the Temple. The leading priests, the teachers of the law, and the Jewish elders came to him.
28. They said to him, “Tell us! What authority do you have to do these things? Who gave you this authority?”
29. Jesus answered, “I will ask you one question. You answer it. Then I will tell you whose authority I use to do these things.
30. Tell me: When John baptized people, was that from God or from man? Answer me!”
31. They argued about Jesus’ question. They said to each other, “If we answer, ‘John’s baptism was from God,’ then Jesus will say, ‘Then why didn’t you believe John?’
32. But if we say, ‘From man,’ then the people will be against us.” (These leaders were afraid of the people. All the people believed that John was a prophet.)
33. So the leaders answered Jesus, “We don’t know.”Jesus said, “Then I will not tell you what authority I use to do these things.”