Berean Standard Bible
Matthew 21:24
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.
Matthew 21:24 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)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.
- New International Version (NIV)Jesus replied, “I will also ask you one question. If you answer me, I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things.
- English Standard Version (ESV)Jesus answered them, "I also will ask you one question, and if you tell me the answer, then I also will tell you by what authority I do these things.
- New King James Version (NKJV)But Jesus answered and said to them, “I also will ask you one thing, which if you tell Me, I likewise will tell you by what authority I do these things:
Context of Matthew 21:24
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?” “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. 25What was the source of John’s baptism? Was it from heaven or from men?” They deliberated among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will ask, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ 26But if we say, ‘From men,’ we are afraid of the people, for they all regard John as a prophet.”
Read all of Matthew 21Matthew 21:24 word by word
Ἀποκριθεὶς δὲ ὁ Ἰησοῦς εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· ἐρωτήσω ὑμᾶς κἀγὼ λόγον ἕνα, ὃν ἐὰν εἴπητέ μοι κἀγὼ ὑμῖν ἐρῶ ἐν ποίᾳ ἐξουσίᾳ ταῦτα ποιῶ.Read the interlinear
- I will also askκἀγώkagō kamoi kame · and IG2504
- I will also askἐρωτάωerōtaō · to askG2065
- youσύsu · youG4771
- oneεἷςheis · oneG1520
- questionλόγοςlogos · wordG3056
- ·δέde · thenG1161
- ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
- JesusἸησοῦςIēsous · JesusG2424
- repliedἀποκρίνωapokrinomai · to answerG611
- ·εἶπονepō · to sayG2036
- ·αὐτόςautos · it/s/heG846
- ·ὅςhos hē ho · whichG3739
- and ifἐάνean · ifG1437
- Meἐγώegō · I/weG1473
- will tellἐρῶereō · to sayG2046
- byἐνen · in/on/amongG1722
- whatποῖοςpoios · what?G4169
- authorityἐξουσίαexousia · authorityG1849
- I am doingποιέωpoieō · to do/make: doG4160
- these thingsοὗτοςhoutos houtoi hautē hautai · this/he/she/itG3778
Cross-references for Matthew 21:24
- Matthew 10:16Behold, I am sending you out like sheep among wolves; therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.
- Proverbs 26:4Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you yourself will be like him.
- Luke 6:9Then Jesus said to them, “I ask you, which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to destroy it?”
- Colossians 4:6Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
Commentaries on Matthew 21:24
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 24I also will ask you one thing - Our Lord was certainly under no obligation to answer their question: he had already given them such proofs of his Divine mission as could not possibly be exceeded, in the miracles which he wrought before their eyes, and before all Judea; and, as they would not credit him on this evidence, it would have been in vain to have expected their acknowledgment of him on any profession he would make.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 23-27Verses 23-27 See also Mark 11:27-33; Luke 20:1-9. Matthew 21:23 When he was come into the temple - That is, probably, into the inner court - the court of the Israelites. They took this opportunity of questioning him on this subject when he was not surrounded by the multitude. By what authority - There was a show of propriety in this question. He was making great changes in the affairs of the temple, and they claimed the right to know why this was done…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 23-27Verses 23-27 As our Lord now openly appeared as the Messiah, the chief priests and scribes were much offended, especially because he exposed and removed the abuses they encouraged. Our Lord asked what they thought of John's ministry and baptism. Many are more afraid of the shame of lying than of the sin, and therefore scruple not to speak what they know to be false, as to their own thoughts, affections, and intentions, or their remembering and forgetting…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 24Jesus gave a riddle. The answer solved the leaders’ question and placed them in a dilemma that showed what was in their hearts (Matthew 21:25–26). Asking a counter-question was common in debates at that time.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2424. And Jesus answered and said unto them, I also will ask you one thing, &c.Read the comment
Topics related to Matthew 21:24
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Matthew 21
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Catena Aurea
- Illustrated New Testament
- Burkitt’s Expository Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Family Bible Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- John Lightfoot Commentary
- Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- The People’s New Testament
- Robertson’s Word Pictures
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- The Fourfold Gospel and Commentary on Acts
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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