8 Jesus said, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things."
8 And Jesus said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.
8 And Jesus said to them, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things."
8 Jesus said, "Then neither will I answer your question."
8 And Jesus said to them, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things."
8 And Jesus responded, "Then I won't tell you by what authority I do these things."
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Luke 20:8
Commentary on Luke 20:1-8
(Read Luke 20:1-8)
Men often pretend to examine the evidences of revelation, and the truth of the gospel, when only seeking excuses for their own unbelief and disobedience. Christ answered these priests and scribes with a plain question about the baptism of John, which the common people could answer. They all knew it was from heaven, nothing in it had an earthly tendency. Those that bury the knowledge they have, are justly denied further knowledge. It was just with Christ to refuse to give account of his authority, to those who knew the baptism of John to be from heaven, yet would not believe in him, nor own their knowledge.