1One day as Jesus was teaching the people in the temple courts and proclaiming the gospel, the chief priests and scribes, together with the elders, came up to Him.
2“Tell us,” they said, “by what authority are You doing these things, and who gave You this authority?”
3“I will also ask you a question,” Jesus replied. “Tell Me:
4John’s baptism—was it from heaven, or from men?”
5They deliberated among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will ask, ‘Why did you not believe him?’
6But if we say, ‘From men,’ all the people will stone us, for they are convinced that John was a prophet.”
7So they answered that they did not know where it was from.
8And Jesus replied, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.”