Mark 11 28

Mark 11:28 kjv

And say unto him, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority to do these things?

Mark 11:28 nkjv

And they said to Him, "By what authority are You doing these things? And who gave You this authority to do these things?"

Mark 11:28 niv

"By what authority are you doing these things?" they asked. "And who gave you authority to do this?"

Mark 11:28 esv

and they said to him, "By what authority are you doing these things, or who gave you this authority to do them?"

Mark 11:28 nlt

They demanded, "By what authority are you doing all these things? Who gave you the right to do them?"

Mark 11 verses

Mark 11 28 Meaning

Mark 11:28 records the direct challenge from the chief priests, scribes, and elders to Jesus. They question the legitimacy and source of His actions, particularly His recent cleansing of the temple. Their query probes the basis of His authority, asking not only what kind of power He possesses but also who or what entity granted Him such extraordinary permission to act in a manner typically reserved for established religious leaders. It's a fundamental challenge to His divine claim and messianic role, seeking to discredit Him.

Mark 11 28 Context

Mark 11:28 is nestled in the pivotal events of Passion Week, specifically the day after Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem and His act of cleansing the temple. On His entry, Jesus was hailed by the crowds, a clear messianic claim that would have unsettled the established religious order. His subsequent action of overturning the tables of money changers and vendors in the temple, and stopping people from carrying goods through the temple courts (Mk 11:15-17), was a profound assertion of authority over what the temple should be – "a house of prayer for all nations" (Mk 11:17). This directly challenged the operational practices, financial interests, and perceived authority of the chief priests, scribes, and elders who governed the temple. Their livelihood and power structure were threatened. This verse therefore reflects their formal challenge, driven by resentment and fear, aiming to publicly ascertain if Jesus' actions were legitimate under their religious jurisdiction, or if He claimed an authority outside of and superior to theirs. Historically, Jewish leaders meticulously guarded their perceived religious and political power, and Jesus' unauthorized (by their standards) actions and teachings were seen as a direct usurpation.

Mark 11 28 Word analysis

• and they said: Implies a collective and perhaps concerted action by a group. In this context (from Mk 11:27), "they" are the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders—the very core of the Sanhedrin, the highest Jewish religious council. Their questioning carries official weight.
• to Him: Refers to Jesus, highlighting that the challenge is directly confronting His person and actions.
• By what authority: (Greek: En poia exousia - ἐν ποίᾳ ἐξουσίᾳ).
  • En (ἐν): Preposition meaning "in" or "by." Here, it signifies the sphere or source of power.
  • Poia (ποίᾳ): An interrogative pronoun, "what kind of," "what sort of." They want to know the nature or source of the authority.
  • Exousia (ἐξουσία): A crucial term. It means "authority," "right," "power," "jurisdiction," "permission." It is not merely physical might (dynamis) but a legitimate right to act, usually implying a derived or granted status. The leaders want to know if Jesus acts under their official approval, divine appointment (that they would recognize), or an unauthorized personal claim. This challenges the very legitimacy of His mission. They assumed authority was typically conveyed by tradition, priestly lineage, or rabbinic ordination.
• are You doing these things: Refers directly to Jesus' disruptive and cleansing actions in the temple (Mk 11:15-17). These actions were highly public and impacted the temple's economy and reverence. They implicitly also refer to His authoritative teaching, which was seen as a usurpation of their interpretive monopoly.
• and who gave You this authority: (Greek: kai tis soi edōken tēn exousian tautēn - καὶ τίς σοι ἔδωκεν τὴν ἐξουσίαν ταύτην). This is a reinforcing question, drilling down into the grantor of the authority.
  • Tis (τίς): "Who." They seek to identify the person or institution from whom Jesus' authority derives.
  • Soi (σοι): "To you." Directly aimed at Jesus.
  • Edōken (ἔδωκεν): "Gave" or "has given." It signifies a bestowal or delegation of power. They are looking for a human or institutional source, as per their understanding of how authority is properly granted. Their question suggests a hidden assumption that Jesus must have a recognized human commissioning for His radical actions. They do not conceive of His authority being inherent or directly from God in the way He claims.
• this authority: Reinforces their focus on the specific type of legitimate right to act in question. They imply He must have been formally authorized.

Mark 11 28 Bonus section

The scene in Mark 11:27-33 is a vivid portrayal of the ongoing spiritual conflict between light and darkness, divine truth and human tradition. The leaders' question itself shows their fundamental misunderstanding of who Jesus is and the nature of God's direct revelation. They demand credentials from the One who inherently possesses all authority. This also sets the stage for the parables of judgment Jesus tells immediately afterward, further exposing the leaders' spiritual state and predicting the consequences of their rejection. The encounter highlights how hardened hearts can remain blind to God's work, even when confronted by miraculous power and divine teaching. Their inquiry about authority is ironic, as true authority rested not in their titles or traditions, but in the Person standing before them.

Mark 11 28 Commentary

Mark 11:28 represents a critical confrontation between Jesus and the established religious powers. The challenge is multi-faceted: it questions the source, nature, and legitimacy of Jesus' authority, especially in light of His radical cleansing of the temple. The chief priests, scribes, and elders were not seeking genuine understanding; rather, they sought to expose Jesus as an imposter, someone acting outside recognized religious protocols and without proper commissioning. They operated within a hierarchical system where authority was derived from lineage, rabbinic schools, or the Sanhedrin itself. Jesus, however, operated from an inherent divine authority, teaching "as one having authority, and not as the scribes" (Mk 1:22). His actions in the temple were a direct claim to divine prerogative over God's house. Their question, "By what authority...?" was a trap: if Jesus claimed divine authority, they might accuse Him of blasphemy; if He claimed human authority, they could dismiss Him as illegitimate or accuse Him of sedition. Jesus, in His divine wisdom, did not answer their question directly, but countered with a question about John the Baptist's authority (Mk 11:29-30), which exposed their spiritual blindness and hypocrisy. Their refusal to answer regarding John, for fear of the people, highlighted that their concern was not truth but control and self-preservation, revealing their inability or unwillingness to discern true authority, especially when it came from God Himself.