A Question of Authority – Matthew 21:23ff

The central question in Matthew 21:23 and following centers around the issue of authority.  The chief priests and elders of the people want to know by what authority Jesus is teaching and performing miracles and who gave him this authority.  So, as Jesus is teaching in the temple in Jerusalem, they interrupt him to ask: “By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority.”

I don’t know what sort of answer they expected from Jesus.  They would have found fault with w...