And they said to Him, “By what authority are You doing these things, and who gave You this authority to do these things?”
The leaders’ question referred especially to the cleansing of the temple and to Christ’s authority to teach. They wanted to force Him to justify His actions before them, as though they were the final judges in the house of God. In the question there is an outward appearance of legality, but inward hypocrisy. They were not seeking the truth, but wanted to trap Him. If He said that His authority was from God, they could accuse Him of blasphemy. If He refused to answer, they could present Him before the people as an unlawful teacher. But Christ will answer their false question with such wisdom that He will expose their dishonesty.