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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadBob Utley You Can Understand the Bible - Mark 11:27 - 11:33
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NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Mar_11:27-33
27They came again to Jerusalem. And as He was walking in the temple, the chief priests and the scribes and the elders came to Him, 28and began saying to Him, "By what authority are You doing these things, or who gave You this authority to do these things?" 29And Jesus said to them, "I will ask you one question, and you answer Me, and then I will tell you by what authority I do these things. 30Was the baptism of John from heaven, or from men? Answer Me." 31They began reasoning among themselves, saying, "If we say, 'From heaven,' He will say, 'Then why did you not believe him?' 32But shall we say, 'From men'?"— they were afraid of the people, for everyone considered John to have been a real prophet. 33Answering Jesus, they said, "We do not know." And Jesus said to them, "Nor will I tell you by what authority I do these things."
Mar_11:27 "They came again to Jerusalem" This seems to imply they left Jerusalem and spent the nights back in Bethany, possibly with Lazarus, Mary, and Martha.
▣ "walking in the temple" Can you imagine how the merchants were watching Him! Jesus did not hide from or avoid confrontation. This was His moment of impact on Jerusalem.
▣ "the chief priests and the scribes and the elders" This is the full designation for the Sanhedrin. This was an official ruling body of seventy members in Jerusalem, which developed out of the Great Synagogue of Ezra's day. It was made up of the High Priest and his family, local scribes, and wealthy, influential elders from the Jerusalem area. See Special Topic at Mar_12:13.
Mar_11:28 "'By what authority are You doing these things'" This has been and is the crucial question about Jesus. Where did He get His power and authority to speak and act? Jesus did not fit their expected mold of what YHWH's Messiah would do and say!
Mar_11:29 Jesus often used this second-question technique when dealing with those who tried to trick or trap Him (cf. Mar_2:6-9; Mar_2:19; Mar_2:25-26; Mar_3:23-24; Mar_10:3; Mar_10:37-39; Mar_12:14-16). He would be open with them if they would be open to Him (cf. Mar_11:33).
Mar_11:30 "'Was the baptism of John from heaven'" Jesus answered their question with a question that dealt with their rejection of John the Baptist. They were not really seeking truth (cf. Mar_11:31-33). They were more concerned with their reputations and maintaining power (cf. Mar_11:32).
Mar_11:31 "if" This is a third class conditional sentence, which means potential action.
Mar_11:33 Jesus answers them by the parable in Mar_12:1-12, which is one of the most severe condemnations of Israel and her leaders in the entire NT.
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