C. Jesus’ authority (20:1–8)
C. Jesus’ authority (20:1–8)
1–2. The character of Jesus’ teaching at this time appears in the reference to preaching the gospel. At the very time his enemies were plotting against him, he was bringing God’s good news to the people. He was interrogated by the chief priests and the scribes with the elders, which looks like an official inquiry from the Sanhedrin. Jesus’ recent activities had not endeared him to officialdom, so a deputation came to question him. They were concerned with the authority under which he had acted. Their question refers quite generally to these things, but they were doubtless primarily concerned at the cleansing of the temple. What authority could justify Jesus in acting like that? Perhaps he would say, ‘The authority of Messiah’? Then who had given him that authority?
3–4. Jesus countered with ‘I will ask you for a statement’ (Rieu). John the Baptist had been a considerable religious figure and it was legitimate to expect the ecclesiastical authorities to pronounce on the origin of his baptism. Moreover the answer to Jesus’ question would have given the answer to theirs, for John had testified that he was the Messiah. But if they did not believe John’s prophecy of the approaching kingdom, they could not be expected to hail its presence in Jesus.
5–6. Jesus’ question put his opponents on the horns of a dilemma. They do not seem to have been concerned with the facts; they concentrate on the effects, not the truth of the possible answers. They had never accepted John’s baptism and thus to say that that baptism was of heavenly origin would leave them wide open, for in that case they should have believed him and followed him enthusiastically. Had they done this they would have had the answer to their question, for they would have recognized that Jesus derived his authority from the same heavenly source as did John. There can be no doubt that they would have liked to say, From men. That was what they believed, but John’s popularity with the people made it an answer impossible to give. They feared being stoned.
7–8. So they gave no answer and accordingly Jesus gave none to them. He did not say that he had no authority. Throughout the whole of the four Gospels it is clear that he is very conscious of possessing the highest authority. But he will not speak about it to men who will not answer a plain question to which they know the answer.