27 They came again to Jerusalem . And as He was walking in the temple , the chief priests and the scribes and the elders came to Him, 28 and began saying to Him, "By what authority are You doing these things , or who gave You this authority to do these things ?" 29 And Jesus said to them, "I will ask you one question , and you answer Me, and then I will tell you by what authority I do these things . 30 "Was the baptism of John from heaven , or from men ? Answer Me." 31 They began reasoning among themselves , saying , "If we say , 'From heaven ,' He will say , 'Then why e did you not believe him?' 32 "But shall we say , 'From men '?"-they were afraid of the people , for everyone considered John to have been a real prophet . 33 Answering Jesus , they said , "We do not know ." And Jesus said to them, "Nor will I tell you by what authority I do these things ."
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Mark 11:27-33
Commentary on Mark 11:27-33
(Read Mark 11:27-33)
Our Saviour shows how near akin his doctrine and baptism were to those of John; they had the same design and tendency, to bring in the gospel kingdom. These elders did not deserve to be taught; for it was plain that they contended not for truth, but victory: nor did he need to tell them; for the works he did, told them plainly he had authority from God; since no man could do the miracles which he did, unless God were with him.