Matthew 21:23
New International Version
Jesus entered the temple courts, and, while he was teaching, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him. “By what authority are you doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave you this authority?”

New Living Translation
When Jesus returned to the Temple and began teaching, the leading priests and elders came up to him. They demanded, “By what authority are you doing all these things? Who gave you the right?”

English Standard Version
And when he entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came up to him as he was teaching, and said, “By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?”

Berean Standard Bible
When Jesus returned to the temple courts and began to teach, the chief priests and elders of the people came up to Him. “By what authority are You doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave You this authority?”

Berean Literal Bible
And of Him having come into the temple, teaching, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to Him, saying, "By what authority are You doing these things? And who gave to You this authority?"

King James Bible
And when he was come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came unto him as he was teaching, and said, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority?

New King James Version
Now when He came into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people confronted Him as He was teaching, and said, “By what authority are You doing these things? And who gave You this authority?”

New American Standard Bible
When He entered the temple area, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to Him while He was teaching, and said, “By what authority are You doing these things, and who gave You this authority?”

NASB 1995
When He entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to Him while He was teaching, and said, “By what authority are You doing these things, and who gave You this authority?”

NASB 1977
And when He had come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to Him as He was teaching, and said, “By what authority are You doing these things, and who gave You this authority?”

Legacy Standard Bible
And when He entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to Him while He was teaching, and said, “By what authority are You doing these things, and who gave You this authority?”

Amplified Bible
When He entered the temple area, the chief priests and elders of the people came to Him as He was teaching and said, “By what [kind of] authority are You doing these things, and who gave You this authority [to exercise this power]?”

Christian Standard Bible
When he entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him as he was teaching and said, “By what authority are you doing these things? Who gave you this authority? ”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
When He entered the temple complex, the chief priests and the elders of the people came up to Him as He was teaching and said, “By what authority are You doing these things? Who gave You this authority?”

American Standard Version
And when he was come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came unto him as he was teaching, and said, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority?

Contemporary English Version
Jesus had gone into the temple and was teaching when the chief priests and the leaders of the people came up to him. They asked, "What right do you have to do these things? Who gave you this authority?"

English Revised Version
And when he was come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came unto him as he was teaching, and said, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Then Jesus went into the temple courtyard and began to teach. The chief priests and the leaders of the people came to him. They asked, "What gives you the right to do these things? Who told you that you could do this?"

Good News Translation
Jesus came back to the Temple; and as he taught, the chief priests and the elders came to him and asked, "What right do you have to do these things? Who gave you such right?"

International Standard Version
Then Jesus went into the Temple. While he was teaching, the high priests and the elders of the people came to him and asked, "By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?"

Majority Standard Bible
When Jesus returned to the temple courts and began to teach, the chief priests and elders of the people came up to Him. “By what authority are You doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave You this authority?”

NET Bible
Now after Jesus entered the temple courts, the chief priests and elders of the people came up to him as he was teaching and said, "By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?"

New Heart English Bible
When he had come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him as he was teaching, and said, "By what authority do you do these things? Who gave you this authority?"

Webster's Bible Translation
And when he had come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him as he was teaching, and said, By what authority doest thou these things; and who gave thee this authority?

Weymouth New Testament
He entered the Temple; and while He was teaching, the High Priests and the Elders of the people came to Him and asked Him, "By what authority are you doing these things? and who gave you this authority?"

World English Bible
When he had come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him as he was teaching, and said, “By what authority do you do these things? Who gave you this authority?”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And He having come into the temple, there came to Him when teaching the chief priests and the elders of the people, saying, “By what authority do You do these things? And who gave You this authority?”

Berean Literal Bible
And of Him having come into the temple, teaching, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to Him, saying, "By what authority are You doing these things? And who gave to You this authority?"

Young's Literal Translation
And he having come to the temple, there came to him when teaching the chief priests and the elders of the people, saying, 'By what authority dost thou do these things? and who gave thee this authority?'

Smith's Literal Translation
And to him, having come into the temple to him teaching, came the chief priests and elders of the people, saying, By what authority doest thou these? and who gave thee this authority?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And when he was come into the temple, there came to him, as he was teaching, the chief priests and ancients of the people, saying: By what authority dost thou these things? and who hath given thee this authority?

Catholic Public Domain Version
And when he had arrived at the temple, as he was teaching, the leaders of the priests and the elders of the people approached him, saying: “By what authority do you do these things? And who has given this authority to you?”

New American Bible
When he had come into the temple area, the chief priests and the elders of the people approached him as he was teaching and said, “By what authority are you doing these things? And who gave you this authority?”

New Revised Standard Version
When he entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him as he was teaching, and said, “By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
When Jesus came to the temple, the high priests and the elders of the people came up to him, while he was teaching, and said to him, By what authority do you do these things? and who gave you this authority?

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And when Yeshua came to The Temple, the Chief Priests and the Elders of the people approached him as he taught them, and they were saying to him, “By what authority do you do these things and who gave you this authority?”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
And after he had come into the temple, the chief priests and elders of the people came to him as he was teaching, and said: By what authority do you these things? And who gave you this authority?

Godbey New Testament
And the chief priests and elders of the people came to Him, while teaching, He having come into the temple, saying, By what authority are you doing these things? And who gave you this authority?

Haweis New Testament
And when he was come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him, as he was teaching, demanding, By what authority doest thou these things? And who gave thee this authority?

Mace New Testament
When he was come into the temple, the chief priests and the magistrates came to him as he was teaching, and said, by what authority dost thou these things? and who gave thee this authority?

Weymouth New Testament
He entered the Temple; and while He was teaching, the High Priests and the Elders of the people came to Him and asked Him, "By what authority are you doing these things? and who gave you this authority?"

Worrell New Testament
And, when He came into the temple, the high-priests and the elders of the people came to Him while He was teaching, saying, "By what authority art Thou doing these things? And who gave Thee this authority?"

Worsley New Testament
And when He was come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to Him as He was teaching, and said, By what authority dost thou these things, and who gave thee this authority?

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Jesus' Authority Challenged
22If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.” 23When Jesus returned to the temple courts and began to teach, the chief priests and elders of the people came up to Him. “By what authority are You doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave You this authority?” 24“I will also ask you one question,” Jesus replied, “and if you answer Me, I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things.…

Cross References
Mark 11:27-33
After their return to Jerusalem, Jesus was walking in the temple courts, and the chief priests, scribes, and elders came up to Him. / “By what authority are You doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave You the authority to do them?” / “I will ask you one question,” Jesus replied, “and if you answer Me, I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. ...

Luke 20:1-8
One 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. / “Tell us,” they said, “by what authority are You doing these things, and who gave You this authority?” / “I will also ask you a question,” Jesus replied. “Tell Me: ...

John 2:18
On account of this, the Jews demanded, “What sign can You show us to prove Your authority to do these things?”

John 5:43
I have come in My Father’s name, and you have not received Me; but if someone else comes in his own name, you will receive him.

John 7:14-16
About halfway through the feast, Jesus went up to the temple courts and began to teach. / The Jews were amazed and asked, “How did this man attain such learning without having studied?” / “My teaching is not My own,” Jesus replied. “It comes from Him who sent Me.

John 8:28
So Jesus said, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and that I do nothing on My own, but speak exactly what the Father has taught Me.

John 10:24-25
So the Jews gathered around Him and demanded, “How long will You keep us in suspense? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly.” / “I already told you,” Jesus replied, “but you did not believe. The works I do in My Father’s name testify on My behalf.

Acts 4:7
They had Peter and John brought in and began to question them: “By what power or what name did you do this?”

Acts 5:28
“We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,” he said. “Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us responsible for this man’s blood.”

Acts 7:27
But the man who was abusing his neighbor pushed Moses aside and said, ‘Who made you ruler and judge over us?

Acts 22:1-2
“Brothers and fathers, listen now to my defense before you.” / When they heard him speak to them in Hebrew, they became even more silent. Then Paul declared,

Exodus 2:14
But the man replied, “Who made you ruler and judge over us? Are you planning to kill me as you killed the Egyptian?” Then Moses was afraid and thought, “This thing I have done has surely become known.”

Exodus 3:11-12
But Moses asked God, “Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” / “I will surely be with you,” God said, “and this will be the sign to you that I have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, all of you will worship God on this mountain.”

Numbers 16:3
They came together against Moses and Aaron and told them, “You have taken too much upon yourselves! For everyone in the entire congregation is holy, and the LORD is in their midst. Why then do you exalt yourselves above the assembly of the LORD?”

Deuteronomy 18:15-19
The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your brothers. You must listen to him. / This is what you asked of the LORD your God at Horeb on the day of the assembly, when you said, “Let us not hear the voice of the LORD our God or see this great fire anymore, so that we will not die!” / Then the LORD said to me, “They have spoken well. ...


Treasury of Scripture

And when he was come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him as he was teaching, and said, By what authority do you these things? and who gave you this authority?

when.

Mark 11:27,28
And they come again to Jerusalem: and as he was walking in the temple, there come to him the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders, …

Luke 19:47,48
And he taught daily in the temple. But the chief priests and the scribes and the chief of the people sought to destroy him, …

Luke 20:1,2
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, …

the chief priests.

1 Chronicles 24:1
Now these are the divisions of the sons of Aaron. The sons of Aaron; Nadab, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.

By what.

Exodus 2:14
And he said, Who made thee a prince and a judge over us? intendest thou to kill me, as thou killedst the Egyptian? And Moses feared, and said, Surely this thing is known.

Acts 4:7
And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this?

Acts 7:27
But he that did his neighbour wrong thrust him away, saying, Who made thee a ruler and a judge over us?

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Authority Chief Courts Elders Entered High Jesus Priests Teaching Temple
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Authority Chief Courts Elders Entered High Jesus Priests Teaching Temple
Matthew 21
1. Jesus rides into Jerusalem upon a donkey
12. drives the buyers and sellers out of the temple;
17. curses the fig tree;
23. puts to silence the priests and elders,
28. and rebukes them by the parable of the two sons,
33. and the husbandmen who slew such as were sent to them.














When Jesus returned to the temple courts
The phrase "when Jesus returned" indicates a deliberate action by Jesus, emphasizing His commitment to His mission. The "temple courts" were central to Jewish religious life, a place of teaching and worship. Historically, the temple was not only a religious center but also a symbol of Jewish identity and God's presence among His people. Jesus' return to this significant location underscores His authority and His role as the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets.

and began to teach
Teaching was a central aspect of Jesus' ministry. The Greek word for "teach" is "didaskō," which implies not just imparting knowledge but also guiding and shaping the moral and spiritual lives of His listeners. Jesus' teaching in the temple courts highlights His role as the ultimate Rabbi, whose wisdom surpasses that of the religious leaders of the time.

the chief priests and elders of the people
The "chief priests and elders" were part of the Sanhedrin, the ruling council of the Jews. They were responsible for maintaining religious order and interpreting the Law. Their approach to Jesus reflects their concern over His growing influence and the challenge He posed to their authority. Historically, these leaders were often seen as protectors of tradition, yet they frequently missed the spirit of the Law in their adherence to its letter.

came up to Him
This phrase indicates a confrontation. The leaders approached Jesus with a sense of authority and expectation of deference. However, Jesus' response would reveal His divine authority, which transcends human institutions. This encounter sets the stage for a deeper revelation of who Jesus is.

'By what authority are You doing these things?'
The question of authority is central to this passage. The Greek word for "authority" is "exousia," which denotes power, right, and jurisdiction. The leaders were questioning Jesus' right to teach and perform miracles, challenging His legitimacy. This reflects a broader theme in the Gospels: the tension between human authority and divine authority.

'And who gave You this authority?'
This second question emphasizes the leaders' concern with the source of Jesus' power. In Jewish tradition, authority was often passed down through lineage or formal training. Jesus, however, derived His authority directly from God the Father, a concept that was difficult for the religious leaders to accept. This question invites readers to consider the divine origin of Jesus' mission and His unique relationship with the Father.

(23) The chief priests and the elders.--St. Matthew and St. Luke add "the scribes," thus including representatives of the three constituent elements of the Sanhedrin. The character of the teaching is further specified by St. Luke, "as He was preaching the gospel"--proclaiming, i.e., the good news of the kingdom, the forgiveness of sins, and the law of righteousness.

By what authority . . .?--The right to take the place of an instructor was, as a rule, conferred by the scribes, or their chief representative, on one who had studied "at the feet" of some great teacher, and been solemnly admitted (the delivery of a key, as the symbol of the right to interpret, being the outward token) to that office. The question implied that those who asked it knew that the Prophet of Nazareth had not been so admitted. The second question gave point to the first. Could He name the Rabbi who had trained Him, or authorised Him to teach?

Verse 23-ch. 22:14. - Our Lord's authority questioned: he replies by uttering three parables. (Mark 11:27-12:12; Luke 20:1-18.) Verses 23-27. - First attack, referring to his late actions: and Christ's answer. Verse 23. - When he was come into the temple. The conversation recorded here belongs to the Tuesday of the Holy Week, and took place in the courts of the temple, at this time filled with pilgrims from all parts of the world, who hung upon Christ's words, and beheld his doings with wonder and awe. This sight roused to fury the envy and anger of the authorities, and they sent forth sections of their cleverest men to undermine his authority in the eyes of the people, or to force from him statements on which they might found criminal accusation against him. The chief priests and the elders of the people. According to the other evangelists, there were also scribes, teachers of the Law, united with them in this deputation, which thus comprised all the elements of the Sanhedrin. This seems to have been the first time that the council took formal notice of Jesus' claims and actions, and demanded from him personally an account of himself. They had been quick enough in inquiring into the Baptist's credentials, when he suddenly appeared on the banks of Jordan (see John 1:19, etc.); but they had studiously, till quite lately, avoided any regular investigation of the pretensions of Jesus. In the thee of late proceedings, this could no longer be delayed. A crisis had arrived; their own peculiar province was publicly invaded, and their authority attacked; the opponent must be withstood by the action of the constituted court. As he was teaching. Jesus did not confine himself to beneficent acts; he used the opportunity of the gathering of crowds around him to preach unto them the gospel (Luke 20:1), to teach truths which came with double force from One who bad done such marvellous things. By what authority doest thou these things? They refer to the triumphal entry, the reception of the homage offered, the healing of the blind and lame, the teaching as with the authority of a rabbi, and especially to the cleansing of the temple. No one could presume to teach without a proper commission: where was his authorization? They were the guardians and rulers of the temple: what right had he to interfere with their management, and to use the sacred precincts for his own purposes? These and such like questions were in their mind when they addressed him thus. Wilfully ignoring the many proofs they had of Christ's Divine mission (which one of them, Nicodemus, had long before been constrained to own, John 3:2), they raised the question now as a novel and unanswered one. Who gave thee this authority? They resolve the general inquiry into the personal one - Who was it that conferred upon you this authority which you presume to exercise? Was it some earthly ruler, or was it God himself? Perhaps they mean to insinuate that Satan was the master whose power he wielded - an accusation already often made. They thought thus to place Christ in an embarrassing position, from which he could not emerge without affording the opportunity which they desired. The trap was cleverly set, and, as they deemed, unavoidable. If he was forced to confess that he spoke and acted without any proper authorization, he would be humiliated in the eyes of the people, and might be officially silenced by the strong hand. If he asserted himself to be the Messiah and the bearer of a Divine commission, they would at once bring against him a charge of blasphemy (Matthew 26:65).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
When
Καὶ (Kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

[Jesus]
αὐτοῦ (autou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

returned
ἐλθόντος (elthontos)
Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2064: To come, go.

to
εἰς (eis)
Preposition
Strong's 1519: A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.

the
τὸ (to)
Article - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

temple courts
ἱερὸν (hieron)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 2411: Neuter of hieros; a sacred place, i.e. The entire precincts of the Temple.

[and] began to teach,
διδάσκοντι (didaskonti)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1321: To teach, direct, admonish. A prolonged form of a primary verb dao; to teach.

the
οἱ (hoi)
Article - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

chief priests
ἀρχιερεῖς (archiereis)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 749: High priest, chief priest. From arche and hiereus; the high-priest; by extension a chief priest.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

elders
πρεσβύτεροι (presbyteroi)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 4245: Comparative of presbus; older; as noun, a senior; specially, an Israelite Sanhedrist or Christian 'presbyter'.

of the
τοῦ (tou)
Article - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

people
λαοῦ (laou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2992: Apparently a primary word; a people.

came
προσῆλθον (prosēlthon)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 4334: From pros and erchomai; to approach, i.e. come near, visit, or worship, assent to.

to Him.
αὐτῷ (autō)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

“By
Ἐν (En)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

what
ποίᾳ (poia)
Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 4169: Of what sort. From the base of pou and hoios; individualizing interrogative what sort of, or which one.

authority
ἐξουσίᾳ (exousia)
Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1849: From exesti; privilege, i.e. force, capacity, competency, freedom, or mastery, delegated influence.

are You doing
ποιεῖς (poieis)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 4160: (a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do.

these things?”
ταῦτα (tauta)
Demonstrative Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 3778: This; he, she, it.

they asked.
λέγοντες (legontes)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3004: (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command.

“And
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

who
τίς (tis)
Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5101: Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.

gave
ἔδωκεν (edōken)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1325: To offer, give; I put, place. A prolonged form of a primary verb; to give.

You
σοι (soi)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

this
ταύτην (tautēn)
Demonstrative Pronoun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3778: This; he, she, it.

authority?”
ἐξουσίαν (exousian)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1849: From exesti; privilege, i.e. force, capacity, competency, freedom, or mastery, delegated influence.


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NT Gospels: Matthew 21:23 When he had come into the temple (Matt. Mat Mt)
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