Mat 21:23-27 | PNT | STEP | When he was come into the temple . Compare . This was on Tuesday, after the discourse on the fig tree, which occurred the morning after the curse was pronounced. The chief priests and the elders . Mark and Luke add "the scribes". These three classes made up the Sanhedrin, and this was probably a deputation from that body. By what authority doest thou these things ? Such acts as driving the money-changers and traders out of the temple, done the day before.

Matthew 21:23-27

When he was come into the temple. Compare Mr 11:27 Lu 20:1. This was on Tuesday, after the discourse on the fig tree, which occurred the morning after the curse was pronounced.

The chief priests and the elders. Mark and Luke add "the scribes". These three classes made up the Sanhedrin, and this was probably a deputation from that body.

By what authority doest thou these things? Such acts as driving the money-changers and traders out of the temple, done the day before. I also will ask you one thing. A malicious question is often best answered by a question which will expose the questioners. The baptism of John. Though the people generally had obeyed John, they had rejected his baptism. Yet they dared not say it was of men, for fear of the people; nor that it was of heaven, because they had disobeyed it. They therefore say, "We cannot tell" (Mt 21:27). We cannot tell. Hence the Lord refuses to answer their question, but immediately addresses them in a parable. As his death approaches, his parables are unusually solemn.