In Mark 11:27-33, the religious leaders, specifically the chief priests, scribes, and elders, challenged Jesus by questioning His authority. They asked Him, "By what authority are you doing these things? And who gave you this authority to do them?" This challenge arose after Jesus had cleansed the temple and was teaching there.
Jesus responded to their challenge with a question of His own. He asked them, "Was the baptism of John from heaven or from man? Answer me." This put the religious leaders in a difficult position. If they said it was from heaven, they would have to explain why they did not believe John the Baptist. If they said it was from man, they feared the reaction of the people, who considered John to be a prophet.
Unable to answer without implicating themselves, the religious leaders responded, "We do not know." Jesus then said to them, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things."
Through this exchange, Jesus effectively avoided their trap and exposed their unwillingness to acknowledge the truth.
More: Lesson 9 Jerusalem Controversies.
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