Matthew 21:23-27

23When 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?”

24“I’ll tell you by what authority I do these things if you answer one question,” Jesus replied.

25“Did John’s authority to baptize come from heaven, or was it merely human?” They talked it over among themselves. “If we say it was from heaven, he will ask us why we didn’t believe John.

26But if we say it was merely human, we’ll be mobbed because the people believe John was a prophet.”

27So they finally replied, “We don’t know.” And Jesus responded, “Then I won’t tell you by what authority I do these things.