Matthew 21:25

Jesus’ Authority Questioned

23 ^aNow when He came into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people confronted Him as He was teaching, and ^bsaid, “By what authority are You doing these things? And who gave You this authority?”

24 But Jesus answered and said to them, “I also will ask you one thing, which if you tell Me, I likewise will tell you by what authority I do these things:

25 The ^abaptism of ^bJohn—where was it from? From heaven or from men?” And they reasoned among themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will say to us, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’

26 But if we say, ‘From men,’ we ^afear the multitude, ^bfor all count John as a prophet.”

27 So they answered Jesus and said, “We do not know.” And He said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.

The Parable of the Two Sons

28 “But what do you think? A man had two sons, and he came to the first and said, ‘Son, go, work today in my ^avineyard.’

29 He answered and said, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he regretted it and went.

30 Then he came to the second and said likewise. And he answered and said, ‘I go, sir,’ but he did not go.

31 Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said to Him, “The first.” Jesus said to them, ^a“Assuredly, I say to you that tax collectors and harlots enter the kingdom of God before you.

32 For ^aJohn came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him; ^bbut tax collectors and harlots believed him; and when you saw it, you did not afterward¹ relent and believe him.

The Parable of the Wicked Vinedressers

33 “Hear another parable: There was a certain landowner ^awho planted a vineyard and set a hedge around it, dug a winepress in it and built a tower. And he leased it to vinedressers and ^bwent into a far country.

34 Now when vintage-time drew near, he sent his servants to the vinedressers, that they might receive its fruit.

Commentaries:

Adam Clarke

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Matthew 21:26 >>

Matthew 21:25

The baptism of John - Had John a Divine commission or not, for his baptism and preaching? Our Lord here takes the wise in their own cunning. He knew the estimation John was in among the people; and he plainly saw that, if they gave any answer at all, they must convict themselves: and so they saw, when they came to examine the question. See Matthew 21:25, Matthew 21:26.

**Other Adam Clarke entries containing Matthew 21:25:**

Matthew 21:25
Mark 11:27-33
Luke 20:2

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Matthew 21:26 >>

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