Luke 20:8Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

For that He might shew that they had always rebelled against the Holy Spirit, and that besides Isaiah, whom they remembered not, they had refused to believe John whom they had lately seen; He now in his turn puts the question to them, proving that if so great a Prophet as John who was accounted greatest among them had been disbelieved when he testified of Him, they would in no wise believe Him, answering by what authority He did this.

Considering their unworthiness to comprehend the truth and recognize the path that leads to all righteous deeds, Christ responded, ‘Neither do I tell you by what authority I do these things.’ Thus, the Jewish leaders failed to grasp the truth because they were not ‘taught of God,’ which means they were not enlightened by Christ. However, for those of us who have faith in Him, Christ Himself unveils the truth. By embracing His divine and precious mystery in both mind and spirit, and by diligently striving to perform those actions that honor Him, we may reign with Him. To Him, and with Him, may there be glory and sovereignty to God the Father, alongside the Holy Spirit, forever and ever, Amen.

Having related the casting out of those that bought and sold in the temple, Luke omits Christ’s going to Bethany and His return again to the city, and the circumstances of the fig-tree, and the answer which was made to the astonished disciples, concerning the power of faith. And having omitted all these, as he does not, like Mark, pursue the events of each day in order, he commences with these words, And it came to pass, that on one of those days; by which we may understand that day on which Matthew and Mark related that event to have taken place.

In a similar manner, refer to the explanation provided.

(Note: Matthew 21:27)

But the rulers who should have been struck with wonder at one who taught such heavenly doctrines, and have been convinced by His words and deeds that this was the same Christ whom the Prophets had foretold, came to hinder Him, so helping onward the destruction of the people. For it follows, And spake unto him, saying, Tell us, by what authority doest thou these things? &c. As if he said; By the law of Moses, those only who are sprung from the blood of Levi have authority to teach, and power over the sacred buildings. But Thou who art of the line of Judah usurpest the offices assigned to us.

Or when they say, By what authority doest thou these things? they doubt concerning the power of God, and wish it to be understood that of the devil He doeth this. Adding moreover, And who is he that gave thee this authority? Most plainly do they deny the Son of God when they think that not by His own power but another’s He doeth miracles. Now our Lord by a simple answer might have refuted such a calumny; but He wisely asks a question, that by their silence or their words they might condemn themselves. And he answered and said unto them, I also will ask, &c.

The Sanhedrin, having resolved to execute Him, aimed to create an illusion of justice while seeking an opportunity to bring allegations against Him from either a spiritual or political standpoint. They sought to derive something from His statements that would allow them to accuse Him of religious misconduct or to question His political views. When they encountered the Lord again in the temple, they promptly asked through their members: By what authority does He perform such actions? This inquiry likely referred not only to His deeds within the temple but also to His role as the Messiah. The Lord, aware of their hidden intentions, refrained from providing a direct response and instead turned the question back on them, posing a challenge to their crafty agenda.

On a Tuesday, when Jesus entered the temple and began His teaching, the chief priests and scribes interrupted Him. They approached Him as a delegation from the Sanhedrin, reminiscent of a previous delegation that had gone to John the Baptist (see John 1:19). They questioned Him about the authority by which He was acting—whether it was divine or merely human—and who had granted Him this authority, seeking clarification on His credentials for such actions as purging the temple of merchants. In response, Jesus posed a question of His own: Was John a prophet or a fraud? His inquiry indirectly revealed His identity, for John had proclaimed Jesus as the Messiah.

It is preferable to acknowledge our ignorance, to which they responded, "We do not know where it comes from." With this reply, the Sanhedrin openly revealed its inability to assess the prophets and offer the people sound counsel regarding them. If they are unable to judge the prophets, they are certainly less equipped to judge the Messiah. Jesus then said to them, "And I will not disclose the authority by which I perform these actions."

There was no way to regard it as trivial. John bore witness to Jesus with clarity and boldness, acknowledging Him not just as a prophet, but recognizing Him as a prophet far superior, indeed the greatest prophet, the Messiah Himself. Did they comprehend this declaration, or did they not? It is evident that Christ was entitled to expect a response to this inquiry before He provided an answer. Yet, they could not—or rather would not—reply. He had placed them in a difficult position. They refrained from stating ‘from heaven,’ as they rejected that notion; they also feared to claim ‘from men,’ since their conviction in John was so profound and widespread, as even Josephus attests, that openly dismissing it would have risked their own safety.