Lesson 4430

 Lesson 4430)(03-20-24) Luke 20:1-8 

“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.” 

 

Today’s quote relates a time when Jesus was teaching and preaching the gospel in the temple when the Jewish chief priests, scribes, and elders confronted Him. They questioned His authority, asking by what authority He does these things and who gave Him this authority. Jesus responded with a question of His own, concerning the baptism of John: Was it from heaven, or was it and act of men? They discussed among themselves the implications of any answer they might, knowing that if they say from heaven, Jesus will ask why they didn't believe the message John preached; but if they say it was of men, they feared the people would stone them, for the people believed John was a prophet sent from God. Therefore, they decided to answer that they did not know where John's baptism (message) came from. Jesus then told them that He would not tell them by what authority He does these things, skillfully avoiding their trap and highlighting their hypocrisy.~