This week’s readings are all from Mark chapter 11. Click here to see a full listing of each day’s reading and the full chapter of Mark 11. Full readings of day’s smaller segments of the readings will be posted on this site during the week.
Today’s Reading
They came again to Jerusalem. While Jesus was walking in the temple courts, the chief priests, the experts in the law, and the elders came up to him and said, “By what authority are you doing these things? Or who gave you this authority to do these things?” Jesus said to them, “I will ask you one question. Answer me and I will tell you by what authority I do these things: John’s baptism—was it from heaven or from people? Answer me.” They discussed with one another, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say, ‘Then why did you not believe him?’ But if we say, ‘From people—’” (they feared the crowd, for they all considered John to be truly a prophet). So they answered Jesus, “We don’t know.” Then Jesus said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.” (Mark 11.27–33 NET)
I feel the drama in this encounter and these questions. Things are really starting to get ugly (this is how I feel about it). My Bible notes say that in this passage that no matter what Jesus said in response to their question they were not going to believe it and would use it against him.
yeah, they are definitely not asking these questions with the desire to seek knowledge or answers.