The Pharisees questioned Jesus, asking, “Tell us, by what authority do You do these things? And who gave You this authority?” (Luke 20:2). But Jesus turned the question back to them, and their response revealed both their position and the source of their authority. False authority is performative and dependent on people, while true authority is relational, covenantal, and flows naturally from intimacy with God. At its heart, this exchange between God and man points to one essential question: Where does your control come from?
Their challenge followed what had just taken place in the temple. Jesus was teaching openly—and then He drove out those buying and selling in the temple. One Gospel account records that He even made a scourge and overturned tables. He acted as if He owned the temple.
And He did. He had the right to turn tables over. Jesus was acting in his rightful authority. He had every confidence not only to do what he did but without explanation.
Jesus had called the temple “My Father’s house.” Any Son is heir of the Father’s possessions. By calling it My father’s house essentially he was already revealing his authority and where it came from. The Pharisees questioned His right to act because they believed the temple belonged to them. Their pride surfaced immediately when they felt their control threatened.
Though the religious leaders at that time positioned themselves as the highest authority, their power depended on public approval. they feared the crowd. Like politicians, they answered to those who funded and supported them—not to God. they were ironical asking God to answer to them! Who do You think You are? Who authorized You – we are in charge here , it was meant to intimidate, but no one can intimidate God!
Clearly They did not recognize true authority.
Jesus’ response would reveal their illegitimacy. Jesus answered calmly—not with a demand, but with a question:
“I will also ask you one thing…” i
Jesus question was solid, Instead of questioning their authority, because perhaps they had very little; Jesus pointed to their faith and used John the Baptist—another man clearly sent by God to expose what they believed:
“Was John’s baptism from heaven or from men?”
Suddenly, God was at the center of the conversation. And it struck them deeply—because many of these same leaders had gone to John to be baptized and John rejected some of them calling them a “brood of vipers”
Jesus was calling them to account:
If John was not from God, why did you go to him?
If he was from God, why do you refuse to recognize God’s authority now?
Baptism for God—or for Show?
In Judaism, ritual washing prepared a person spiritually. John’s baptism called for repentance in preparation for the coming Messiah.
So why did these leaders seek baptism if they didn’t believe John was sent by God?
Perhaps because it was expected.
Jesus’ question exposed their hearts. If they truly believed John was from God, their lives would have reflected it. Instead, they feared the crowd.
Their baptism was likely performative—done to maintain status, not to submit to God. They at least had the knowledge that if the people found out they didn’t believe John was a prophet they would quickly be dislodged and lose the respect.
Exposed by Their Own Reasoning
They knew the truth and cowered in the face of it. Their private discussion revealed everything:
- “If we say ‘from heaven,’ He will ask why we didn’t believe him.”
- “If we say ‘from men,’ the people will stone us.”
They were playing both sides—seeking the answer that best protected their position. They feared neither God nor truth, only the loss of influence.
In seeking to protect their power, they exposed their lack of it. Someone with true authority doesn’t need to protect it, or flaunt it. . The leaders silence revealed that whatever authority they had came from pleasing people, not from God. Jesus didn’t care about their authority, he cared about their heart and his return question exposed it.
Their faith had become mechanical, cold, and political. They could not recognize the moment of their visitation, even as the Messiah stood before them.
Authority Revealed
They feared people yet demanded truth from Jesus. They were insecure leaders who needed everything to remain within their control to feel secure and comfortable. they were critical and faultfinding to boost their own righteousness and their own truths.
How they challenged Jesus revealed how they felt about God. Jesus was God manifested among them—and they did not recognize Him.
Faith had become a system.
Law had become a political position.
No relationship.
No love.
No affection.
This interaction exposes a larger spiritual truth: true authority is not about what one possesses, what one controls, or how one is perceived. It is about who possesses you—your heart, your obedience, your covenant relationship with God. Ironically their spiritual ‘mentors’ and patriarchs, though flawed—Abraham, Moses, David, Samuel, Elijah—were granted authority not because of moral perfection, but because they walked with God, heard His voice, and acted in covenantal intimacy (James 2:23; Acts 13:22). Even their failures demonstrated the mercy and grace of God and taught that vulnerability can cultivate dependence on Him. The Pharisees, in contrast, sought status through performance and law-keeping, and their “apparent perfection” became a barrier to recognizing the Messiah. As Jesus famously said, those who have sinned greater love greater and learned to rely on God’s mercy often love Him more deeply than those who rely on their own righteousness.
God did not give authority to Jesus, John, or the patriarchs as a reward for good behavior or strict adherence to the law. Their authority flowed naturally from covenant relationship. Just as a son carries authority in his father’s name simply because of the relationship that exists, their authority was the outworking of intimacy, not achievement.Abraham was called God’s friend. David was a man after God’s own heart.Moses spoke to God face to face! These men knew God in contrast the Pharisees and scribes challenging Jesus when face to face with him accused him.
The Question That Remains
Is the authority shaping my life coming from communion with God—or from my need to control, appear righteous, or preserve influence?
the question remains—for them, and for us:
By what authority do we live, believe, and lead—and from whom does that authority proceed? What is the true source of the power I attempt to exercise?
All authority held by human hands is derivative. We each possess some measure of influence, stewardship, or control—but is it rightly ordered?if so we do not have to protect it defend it or push it on others. Is it exercised in humility or in pride? Is it genuine authority entrusted by God, or a counterfeit seized for ourselves? Is it righteous and legitimate, or corrupt and stolen?
Are we striving to obtain authority for our own ends, to push our own agenda or are we submitting to the authority that flows from the throne of our heavenly Father? Authority that is not received from God cannot endure, and power divorced from divine commission ultimately proves empty.
written by Kim Blenkhorn
edited with the use of CHatGBT
My Faith Place 