And Jesus answered and said unto them, I also will ask you one thing, which if ye tell me, I in like wise will tell you by what authority I do these things.
Jesus replied, 'Okay, I've got a question for you too. Answer mine first, and then I'll tell you where I get my authority to do all this.'
Sometimes the best response to a loaded question is asking one right back.
📚 Historical Context
In the historical context of Matthew 21, Jesus had just entered Jerusalem triumphantly and disrupted the temple by driving out the money changers, which provoked the chief priests and elders to challenge his authority. When they confronted him, Jesus responded by posing a counter-question about the source of John the Baptist's authority, forcing them to reflect on their own inconsistencies. This interaction occurred during the tense final week of Jesus's ministry, highlighting the growing opposition from religious leaders who felt threatened by his teachings and actions.
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