LUKE 20:1–8, THE AUTHORITY OF JESUS QUESTIONED
JESUS’ DIVINE AUTHORITY AND OUR HONEST RESPONSE
Introduction
As Jesus teaches openly in the temple during his final days in Jerusalem, his words and actions draw not only crowds of believers but also the scrutiny of religious leaders who feel threatened by him. The chief priests, scribes, and elders approach him publicly, challenging the basis of his authority. They have already seen him cleanse the temple and teach with a freedom that does not depend on their approval. Their question is not a humble inquiry but a strategic test: if Jesus claims divine authority, they can accuse him of blasphemy; if he remains silent, they hope to weaken his influence. Jesus responds not by defending himself directly, but by exposing the duplicity in their hearts through a counter-question about John the Baptist. In doing so, he reveals that the real issue is not a lack of evidence, but a lack of honesty and openness to the truth.
Bible Passage (Luke 20:1–8)
One day as he was teaching the people in the temple area and proclaiming the good news, the chief priests and scribes, together with the elders, approached him and said to him, “Tell us, by what authority are you doing these things? Or who is the one who gave you this authority?” He said to them in reply, “I shall ask you a question. Tell me, was John’s baptism of heavenly or of human origin?” They discussed this among themselves, and said, “If we say, ‘Of heavenly origin,’ he will say, ‘Why did you not believe him?’ But if we say, ‘Of human origin,’ then all the people will stone us, for they are convinced that John was a prophet.” So they answered that they did not know from where it came. Then Jesus said to them, “Neither shall I tell you by what authority I do these things.”
Background
This episode occurs in Holy Week, after Jesus has entered Jerusalem in triumph and acted prophetically in the temple, driving out sellers and buyers. His presence and teaching in the temple symbolize a direct reclaiming of God’s house, which naturally provokes the guardians of the religious establishment. The group confronting him—the chief priests, scribes, and elders—represents the full spectrum of temple leadership and the Sanhedrin. Their question concerns “authority,” a central theme in Luke: throughout the Gospel, Jesus teaches with authority, forgives sins with authority, commands demons and diseases with authority. Now, as the conflict reaches its peak, the leaders demand to know the source of this authority. By referring to John the Baptist, Jesus links his own mission with John’s prophetic call to repentance and exposes the leaders’ refusal to accept either of them as coming from God.
Opening Life Connection
We often find ourselves in situations where authority is questioned—at work, in the Church, in the family, or in society. Sometimes the question is sincere: we want to know whether a voice truly comes from God or from human ambition. At other times, however, questioning authority can be a way of avoiding conversion: if we can discredit the messenger, we can ignore the message. Many people today ask, “By what authority does the Church teach about morality, sacraments, or social issues?” Behind these questions may lie real wounds, fears, or resistance. This passage invites us to examine whether our questions are honest searches for truth or subtle ways of protecting ourselves from the demands of the Gospel.
Verse-by-Verse / Phrase-by-Phrase Reflection
The scene begins with Jesus “teaching the people in the temple area and proclaiming the good news”. His authority is not exercised in secrecy but in public, for the sake of the people and their salvation. The focus of his authority is service: he teaches and proclaims, offering the good news of God’s kingdom.
The religious leaders “approached him and said to him, ‘Tell us, by what authority are you doing these things? Or who is the one who gave you this authority?’”. Their question acknowledges that Jesus’ actions are powerful and significant. “These things” include his cleansing of the temple, his miracles, and his teaching. They assume that authority must come from an officially recognized human source; they are blind to the possibility that God himself is acting directly in their midst.
Jesus replies by shifting the dialogue: “I shall ask you a question. Tell me, was John’s baptism of heavenly or of human origin?”. Rather than answer on their terms, he brings them back to a recent prophetic movement they all witnessed: John the Baptist’s call to repentance and baptism. “Heavenly or human” is the key discernment: does this work come from God, or is it merely human initiative? The same question applies to Jesus’ own ministry.
They begin to reason, not in terms of truth, but of consequences: “If we say, ‘Of heavenly origin,’ he will say, ‘Why did you not believe him?’”. They know that admitting John’s divine mission would expose their refusal to respond. Their concern is not to align with God’s will but to avoid admitting their own unbelief.
On the other hand, “if we say, ‘Of human origin,’ then all the people will stone us, for they are convinced that John was a prophet.”. Here their fear of the crowd appears. They are trapped between the truth they refuse to accept and the people’s faith that they dare not challenge openly. Their calculations reveal that they are governed by human respect, not by sincere love of God.
“So they answered that they did not know from where it came.” Their answer is a deliberate evasion. It is not that they truly lack information, but that they choose not to take a stand. This feigned ignorance is a refusal of responsibility. Spiritual cowardice hides behind an appearance of neutrality.
Then Jesus says: “Neither shall I tell you by what authority I do these things.”. Jesus does not cater to insincerity. When hearts are closed, more explanations do not help. His refusal is itself a judgment: since they will not acknowledge God’s work in John, they are not ready to receive further revelation about his own divine Sonship. Yet his silence is also merciful; it leaves space for them to reflect and, perhaps later, to convert.
Jewish Historical and Religious Context
The chief priests, scribes, and elders formed the core of the Sanhedrin, the highest Jewish council responsible for religious and some civil matters. Authority in Israel was traditionally linked to the law of Moses, the temple, and prophetic tradition. John the Baptist emerged as a prophet at the Jordan, calling Israel to repentance and baptizing for the forgiveness of sins. Many in the people recognized him as a prophet, but the leaders often resisted him, feeling threatened by his critique of their hypocrisy and his announcement of one “mightier” to come. Public opinion strongly favored John, making it dangerous for leaders to dismiss him as merely human. In this context, to admit John’s baptism as “heavenly” would mean acknowledging that God was doing something new outside their control—and accepting Jesus, whom John had identified as the Lamb of God.
Catholic Tradition and Teaching
The Church sees in this passage a reflection on the nature of true authority. Jesus’ authority comes from his identity as the Son of God, sent by the Father and anointed by the Holy Spirit. In the Church, authority is a service rooted in Christ’s own mission, handed on to the apostles and their successors. The Magisterium teaches not on the basis of human power, but by sharing in Christ’s authority, especially in matters of faith and morals. Catholic tradition also warns against the attitude of the leaders in this text: using religious position to resist God’s new calls to conversion. The discernment “heavenly or human” remains crucial when evaluating spiritual movements, teachings, or inspirations. The Church, guided by the Spirit, seeks to recognize what truly comes from God and to avoid both naive acceptance and cynical rejection.
Historical or Saintly Illustration
St. John Henry Newman’s life illustrates the struggle with authority and conscience. As an Anglican clergyman, he wrestled deeply with the question of where true Christian authority lay—Scripture alone, private judgment, or a visible Church. After much prayer, study, and inner conflict, he came to recognize the Catholic Church as the rightful heir of apostolic authority. His conversion was not an easy submission to human structures, but a hard-won obedience to what he discerned as God’s truth. Newman teaches that authentic authority and personal conscience are not enemies: conscience is the “aboriginal Vicar of Christ,” guiding us to recognize and submit to God-given authority rather than to resist it out of pride or fear.
Application to Christian Life Today
This Gospel invites us to examine our own attitude toward Jesus’ authority and the authority he shares with the Church. When we hear a challenging teaching—about forgiveness, justice, sexuality, care for the poor, or fidelity in marriage—do we respond with openness, or do we look for ways to “test” or discredit the source? Are our questions really seeking truth, or do they hide a desire to avoid change? On a personal level, we can ask: where is Jesus teaching me today—through Scripture, the Church, a spiritual director, or a prophetic voice in my life—and how am I responding? In our communities, we are called to exercise any authority entrusted to us (as parents, priests, teachers, leaders) not as control, but as service grounded in God’s will. In the wider world, where Church authority is often questioned or mocked, we need both humility and courage: humility to admit past failures and sins, and courage to stand by the truth Christ has entrusted to his Church.
Eucharistic Connection
In the Eucharist, we encounter the One whose authority is rooted in total self-giving. On the altar, Jesus exercises not a dominating authority but a sacrificial one: “This is my body, given for you.” His word, proclaimed in the liturgy, questions us as he questioned the leaders: “How do you read it? Do you believe?” When we approach Communion, we are not only receiving comfort; we are submitting ourselves again to his lordship, saying with our “Amen” that we trust his word and authority. From the Mass, we are sent out to live under Christ’s gentle, demanding authority in every area of life, witnessing that true freedom comes not from rejecting God’s rule, but from belonging to him.
Messages / Call to Conversion
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Examine your questions about faith: ask whether they are honest searches for truth or subtle ways of avoiding conversion.
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Acknowledge Jesus as the true source of authority in your life, especially in areas where his teaching challenges your comfort.
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Resist the temptation to live by human respect; seek to please God rather than to manage public opinion or avoid conflict.
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When entrusted with authority—in family, Church, or work—exercise it as a service rooted in God’s will, not as self-protection or control.
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Renew your surrender to Christ’s authority in the Eucharist, allowing his word and his Body to shape your decisions and priorities.
Outline for Preachers
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Background within the Gospel: Holy Week context; Jesus teaching in the temple after cleansing it; rising tension with religious leaders
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Life connection: our mixed attitudes toward authority, both in Church and society; sincere vs. defensive questioning
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Key verses and phrases explained: “teaching the people…proclaiming the good news”, “by what authority are you doing these things?”, “was John’s baptism of heavenly or of human origin?”, “they discussed this among themselves”, “if we say…if we say”, “they did not know from where it came”, “Neither shall I tell you”
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Jewish historical and religious context: role of chief priests, scribes, elders; John the Baptist as prophet; tension between leadership and prophetic movements; fear of the crowd
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Catholic teaching and tradition: Christ’s divine authority; apostolic and ecclesial authority as service; discernment of what is “heavenly or human”; conscience and obedience
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Saintly or historical illustration: St. John Henry Newman’s journey on authority and conscience, or another figure who moved from resistance to obedience
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Application to life today: personal openness to Church teaching, honest questioning vs. self-justification, responsible exercise of authority in family and community
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Eucharistic connection: Christ’s sacrificial authority in the Mass; our “Amen” as acceptance of his lordship; being sent to live under his authority in daily life
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Key messages and call to conversion: honesty before God, preference for truth over popularity, deeper trust in Christ’s authority, service-oriented leadership
