Jesus' Authority Challenged
(Matthew 21:23-27; Mark 11:27-33)
1And it came to pass, that on one of those days, as he taught the people in the temple, and preached the gospel, the chief priests and the scribes came upon him with the elders, 2And spake unto him, saying, Tell us, by what authority doest thou these things? or who is he that gave thee this authority? 3And he answered and said unto them, I will also ask you one thing; and answer me: 4The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men? 5And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say, Why then believed ye him not? 6But and if we say, Of men; all the people will stone us: for they be persuaded that John was a prophet. 7And they answered, that they could not tell whence it was. 8And Jesus said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.
The Parable of the Wicked Tenants
(Matthew 21:33-46; Mark 12:1-12)
9Then began he to speak to the people this parable; A certain man planted a vineyard, and let it forth to husbandmen, and went into a far country for a long time. 10And at the season he sent a servant to the husbandmen, that they should give him of the fruit of the vineyard: but the husbandmen beat him, and sent him away empty. 11And again he sent another servant: and they beat him also, and entreated him shamefully, and sent him away empty. 12And again he sent a third: and they wounded him also, and cast him out. 13Then said the lord of the vineyard, What shall I do? I will send my beloved son: it may be they will reverence him when they see him. 14But when the husbandmen saw him, they reasoned among themselves, saying, This is the heir: come, let us kill him, that the inheritance may be ours. 15So they cast him out of the vineyard, and killed him. What therefore shall the lord of the vineyard do unto them? 16He shall come and destroy these husbandmen, and shall give the vineyard to others. And when they heard it, they said, God forbid.
17And he beheld them, and said, What is this then that is written, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner?
18Whosoever shall fall upon that stone shall be broken; but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.
Paying Taxes to Caesar
(Matthew 22:15-22; Mark 12:13-17)
19And the chief priests and the scribes the same hour sought to lay hands on him; and they feared the people: for they perceived that he had spoken this parable against them. 20And they watched him, and sent forth spies, which should feign themselves just men, that they might take hold of his words, that so they might deliver him unto the power and authority of the governor. 21And they asked him, saying, Master, we know that thou sayest and teachest rightly, neither acceptest thou the person of any, but teachest the way of God truly: 22Is it lawful for us to give tribute unto Caesar, or no? 23But he perceived their craftiness, and said unto them, Why tempt ye me? 24Shew me a penny. Whose image and superscription hath it? They answered and said, Caesar's. 25And he said unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar's, and unto God the things which be God's. 26And they could not take hold of his words before the people: and they marvelled at his answer, and held their peace.
Sadducees Question the Resurrection
(Matthew 22:23-33; Mark 12:18-27)
27Then came to him certain of the Sadducees, which deny that there is any resurrection; and they asked him, 28Saying, Master, Moses wrote unto us, If any man's brother die, having a wife, and he die without children, that his brother should take his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother. 29There were therefore seven brethren: and the first took a wife, and died without children. 30And the second took her to wife, and he died childless. 31And the third took her; and in like manner the seven also: and they left no children, and died. 32Last of all the woman died also. 33Therefore in the resurrection whose wife of them is she? for seven had her to wife.
34And Jesus answering said unto them, The children of this world marry, and are given in marriage: 35But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage: 36Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection. 37Now that the dead are raised, even Moses shewed at the bush, when he calleth the Lord the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. 38For he is not a God of the dead, but of the living: for all live unto him. 39Then certain of the scribes answering said, Master, thou hast well said. 40And after that they durst not ask him any question at all.
Whose Son is the Christ?
(Matthew 22:41-46; Mark 12:35-37)
41And he said unto them, How say they that Christ is David's son?
42And David himself saith in the book of Psalms, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,
43Till I make thine enemies thy footstool. 44David therefore calleth him Lord, how is he then his son?
Beware of the Scribes
(Mark 12:38-40)
45Then in the audience of all the people he said unto his disciples, 46Beware of the scribes, which desire to walk in long robes, and love greetings in the markets, and the highest seats in the synagogues, and the chief rooms at feasts; 47Which devour widows' houses, and for a shew make long prayers: the same shall receive greater damnation.
King James Bible
Text courtesy of BibleProtector.com.
Jesus’ Authority Challenged
(Matthew 21:23–27; Mark 11:27–33)
1 It happened on one of those days, as he was teaching the people in the temple and preaching the Good News, that the priests and scribes came to him with the elders. 2 They asked him, “Tell us: by what authority do you do these things? Or who is giving you this authority?” 3 He answered them, “I also will ask you one question. Tell me: 4 the baptism of John, was it from heaven, or from men?” 5 They reasoned with themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say, ‘Why didn’t you believe him?’ 6 But if we say, ‘From men,’ all the people will stone us, for they are persuaded that John was a prophet.” 7 They answered that they didn’t know where it was from. 8 Jesus said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.”
The Parable of the Wicked Tenants
(Matthew 21:33–46; Mark 12:1–12)
9 He began to tell the people this parable. “A man planted a vineyard, and rented it out to some farmers, and went into another country for a long time. 10 At the proper season, he sent a servant to the farmers to collect his share of the fruit of the vineyard. But the farmers beat him, and sent him away empty. 11 He sent yet another servant, and they also beat him, and treated him shamefully, and sent him away empty. 12 He sent yet a third, and they also wounded him, and threw him out. 13 The lord of the vineyard said, ‘What shall I do? I will send my beloved son. It may be that seeing him, they will respect him.’ 14 “But when the farmers saw him, they reasoned among themselves, saying, ‘This is the heir. Come, let’s kill him, that the inheritance may be ours.’ 15 They threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him. What therefore will the lord of the vineyard do to them? 16 He will come and destroy these farmers, and will give the vineyard to others.” When they heard it, they said, “May it never be!”
17 But he looked at them, and said, “Then what is this that is written, ‘The stone which the builders rejected, the same was made the chief cornerstone?’
18 Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces, but it will crush whomever it falls on to dust.”
Paying Taxes to Caesar
(Matthew 22:15–22; Mark 12:13–17)
19 The chief priests and the scribes sought to lay hands on him that very hour, but they feared the people—for they knew he had spoken this parable against them. 20 They watched him, and sent out spies, who pretended to be righteous, that they might trap him in something he said, so as to deliver him up to the power and authority of the governor. 21 They asked him, “Teacher, we know that you say and teach what is right, and aren’t partial to anyone, but truly teach the way of God. 22 Is it lawful for us to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?” 23 But he perceived their craftiness, and said to them, “Why do you test me?
24 Show me a denarius. Whose image and inscription are on it?” They answered, “Caesar’s.” 25 He said to them, “Then give to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” 26 They weren’t able to trap him in his words before the people. They marveled at his answer, and were silent.
The Sadducees and the Resurrection
(Matthew 22:23–33; Mark 12:18–27)
27 Some of the Sadducees came to him, those who deny that there is a resurrection. 28 They asked him, “Teacher, Moses wrote to us that if a man’s brother dies having a wife, and he is childless, his brother should take the wife, and raise up children for his brother. 29 There were therefore seven brothers. The first took a wife, and died childless. 30 The second took her as wife, and he died childless. 31 The third took her, and likewise the seven all left no children, and died. 32 Afterward the woman also died. 33 Therefore in the resurrection whose wife of them will she be? For the seven had her as a wife.”
34 Jesus said to them, “The children of this age marry, and are given in marriage. 35 But those who are considered worthy to attain to that age and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage. 36 For they can’t die any more, for they are like the angels, and are children of God, being children of the resurrection. 37 But that the dead are raised, even Moses showed at the bush, when he called the Lord ‘The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’ 38 Now he is not the God of the dead, but of the living, for all are alive to him.” 39 Some of the scribes answered, “Teacher, you speak well.” 40 They didn’t dare to ask him any more questions.
Whose Son Is the Christ?
(Matthew 22:41–46; Mark 12:35–37)
41 He said to them, “Why do they say that the Christ is David’s son?
42 David himself says in the book of Psalms, ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand,
43 until I make your enemies the footstool of your feet.”’ 44 “David therefore calls him Lord, so how is he his son?”
Beware of the Scribes
(Mark 12:38–40)
45 In the hearing of all the people, he said to his disciples,
46 “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk in long robes, and love greetings in the marketplaces, the best seats in the synagogues, and the best places at feasts; 47 who devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense make long prayers: these will receive greater condemnation.”
Jesus’ Authority Challenged
(Matthew 21:23–27; Mark 11:27–33)
1 One day as Jesus was teaching the people in the temple courts a and proclaiming the gospel, the chief priests and scribes, together with the elders, came up to Him. 2 “Tell us,” they said, “by what authority are You doing these things, and who gave You this authority?”
3 “I will also ask you a question,” Jesus replied. “Tell Me: 4 John’s baptism—was it from heaven, or from men?”
5 They deliberated among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will ask, ‘Why did you not believe him?’ 6 But if we say, ‘From men,’ all the people will stone us, for they are convinced that John was a prophet.”
7 So they answered that they did not know where it was from.
8 And Jesus replied, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.”
The Parable of the Wicked Tenants
(Matthew 21:33–46; Mark 12:1–12)
9 Then He proceeded to tell the people this parable: “A man planted a vineyard, rented it out to some tenants, and went away for a long time. 10 At harvest time, he sent a servant to the tenants to collect his share of the fruit of the vineyard. But the tenants beat the servant and sent him away empty-handed.
11 So he sent another servant, but they beat him and treated him shamefully, sending him away empty-handed.
12 Then he sent a third, but they wounded him and threw him out.
13 ‘What shall I do?’ asked the owner of the vineyard. ‘I will send my beloved son. Perhaps they will respect him.’
14 But when the tenants saw the son, they discussed it among themselves and said, ‘This is the heir. Let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’ 15 So they threw him out of the vineyard and killed him.
What then will the owner of the vineyard do to them? 16 He will come and kill those tenants, and will give the vineyard to others.”
And when the people heard this, they said, “May such a thing never happen!”
17 But Jesus looked directly at them and said, “Then what is the meaning of that which is written:
‘The stone the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone’ b?
18 Everyone who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces, but he on whom it falls will be crushed.”
Paying Taxes to Caesar
(Matthew 22:15–22; Mark 12:13–17)
19 When the scribes and chief priests realized that Jesus had spoken this parable against them, they sought to arrest Him that very hour. But they were afraid of the people.
20 So they watched Him closely and sent spies who pretended to be sincere. They were hoping to catch Him in His words in order to hand Him over to the rule and authority of the governor. 21 “Teacher,” they inquired, “we know that You speak and teach correctly. You show no partiality, but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. 22 Is it lawful for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”
23 But Jesus saw through their duplicity and said to them, 24 “Show Me a denarius. c Whose image and inscription are on it?”
“Caesar’s,” they answered.
25 So Jesus told them, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”
26 And they were unable to trap Him in His words before the people; and amazed at His answer, they fell silent.
The Sadducees and the Resurrection
(Matthew 22:23–33; Mark 12:18–27)
27 Then some of the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to question Him. 28 “Teacher,” they said, “Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies and leaves a wife but no children, the man is to marry his brother’s widow and raise up offspring for him. d 29 Now there were seven brothers. The first one married a wife, but died childless. 30 Then the second e 31 and the third married the widow, and in the same way all seven died, leaving no children. 32 And last of all, the woman died. 33 So then, in the resurrection, whose wife will she be? For all seven were married to her.”
34 Jesus answered, “The sons of this age marry and are given in marriage. 35 But those who are considered worthy to share in the age to come and in the resurrection from the dead will neither marry nor be given in marriage. 36 In fact, they can no longer die, because they are like the angels. And since they are sons of the resurrection, they are sons of God.
37 Even Moses demonstrates that the dead are raised, in the passage about the burning bush. For he calls the Lord ‘the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’ f 38 He is not the God of the dead, but of the living, for to Him all are alive.”
39 Some of the scribes answered, “Teacher, You have spoken well!” 40 And they did not dare to question Him any further.
Whose Son Is the Christ?
(Matthew 22:41–46; Mark 12:35–37)
41 Then Jesus declared, “How can it be said that the Christ is the Son of David? 42 For David himself says in the book of Psalms:
‘The Lord said to my Lord,
“Sit at My right hand
43 until I make Your enemies
a footstool for Your feet.” ’ g
44 Thus David calls Him ‘Lord.’ So how can He be David’s son?”
Beware of the Scribes
(Mark 12:38–40)
45 In the hearing of all the people, Jesus said to His disciples, 46 “Beware of the scribes. They like to walk around in long robes, and they love the greetings in the marketplaces, the chief seats in the synagogues, and the places of honor at banquets. 47 They defraud widows of their houses, h and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will receive greater condemnation.”
Footnotes:
1 a Literally the temple
17 b Psalm 118:22
24 c A denarius was customarily a day’s wage for a laborer; see Matthew 20:2.
28 d Deuteronomy 25:5
30 e BYZ and TR include married the widow, and he also died,
37 f Exodus 3:6
43 g Psalm 110:1
47 h Literally They devour widows’ houses
Jesus' Authority Challenged
(Matthew 21:23-27; Mark 11:27-33)
1And it came to pass, on one of those days, as he is teaching the people in the temple, and proclaiming good news, the chief priests and the scribes, with the elders, came upon him, 2and spake unto him, saying, 'Tell us by what authority thou dost these things? or who is he that gave to thee this authority?' 3And he answering said unto them, 'I will question you -- I also -- one thing, and tell me: 4the baptism of John, from heaven was it, or from men?' 5And they reasoned with themselves, saying -- 'If we may say, From heaven, he will say, Wherefore, then, did ye not believe him? 6and if we may say, From men, all the people will stone us, for they are having been persuaded John to be a prophet.' 7And they answered, that they knew not whence it was, 8and Jesus said to them, 'Neither do I say to you by what authority I do these things.'
The Parable of the Wicked Tenants
(Matthew 21:33-46; Mark 12:1-12)
9And he began to speak unto the people this simile: 'A certain man planted a vineyard, and gave it out to husbandmen, and went abroad for a long time, 10and at the season he sent unto the husbandmen a servant, that from the fruit of the vineyard they may give to him, but the husbandmen having beat him, did send him away empty. 11'And he added to send another servant, and they that one also having beaten and dishonoured, did send away empty; 12and he added to send a third, and this one also, having wounded, they did cast out. 13'And the owner of the vineyard said, What shall I do? I will send my son -- the beloved, perhaps having seen this one, they will do reverence; 14and having seen him, the husbandmen reasoned among themselves, saying, This is the heir; come, we may kill him, that the inheritance may become ours; 15and having cast him outside of the vineyard, they killed him; what, then, shall the owner of the vineyard do to them? 16He will come, and destroy these husbandmen, and will give the vineyard to others.' And having heard, they said, 'Let it not be!'
17and he, having looked upon them, said, 'What, then, is this that hath been written: A stone that the builders rejected -- this became head of a corner?
18every one who hath fallen on that stone shall be broken, and on whom it may fall, it will crush him to pieces.'
Paying Taxes to Caesar
(Matthew 22:15-22; Mark 12:13-17)
19And the chief priests and the scribes sought to lay hands on him in that hour, and they feared the people, for they knew that against them he spake this simile. 20And, having watched him, they sent forth liers in wait, feigning themselves to be righteous, that they might take hold of his word, to deliver him up to the rule and to the authority of the governor, 21and they questioned him, saying, 'Teacher, we have known that thou dost say and teach rightly, and dost not accept a person, but in truth the way of God dost teach; 22Is it lawful to us to give tribute to Caesar or not?' 23And he, having perceived their craftiness, said unto them, 'Why me do ye tempt? 24shew me a denary; of whom hath it an image and superscription?' and they answering said, 'Of Caesar:' 25and he said to them, 'Give back, therefore, the things of Caesar to Caesar, and the things of God to God;' 26and they were not able to take hold on his saying before the people, and having wondered at his answer, they were silent.
Sadducees Question the Resurrection
(Matthew 22:23-33; Mark 12:18-27)
27And certain of the Sadducees, who are denying that there is a rising again, having come near, questioned him, 28saying, 'Teacher, Moses wrote to us, If any one's brother may die, having a wife, and he may die childless -- that his brother may take the wife, and may raise up seed to his brother. 29'There were, then, seven brothers, and the first having taken a wife, died childless, 30and the second took the wife, and he died childless, 31and the third took her, and in like manner also the seven -- they left not children, and they died; 32and last of all died also the woman: 33in the rising again, then, of which of them doth she become wife? -- for the seven had her as wife.'
34And Jesus answering said to them, 'The sons of this age do marry and are given in marriage, 35but those accounted worthy to obtain that age, and the rising again that is out of the dead, neither marry, nor are they given in marriage; 36for neither are they able to die any more -- for they are like messengers -- and they are sons of God, being sons of the rising again. 37'And that the dead are raised, even Moses shewed at the Bush, since he doth call the Lord, the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob; 38and He is not a God of dead men, but of living, for all live to Him.' 39And certain of the scribes answering said, 'Teacher, thou didst say well;' 40and no more durst they question him anything.
Whose Son is the Christ?
(Matthew 22:41-46; Mark 12:35-37)
41And he said unto them, 'How do they say the Christ to be son of David,
42and David himself saith in the Book of Psalms, The Lord said to my lord, Sit thou on my right hand,
43till I shall make thine enemies thy footstool; 44David, then, doth call him lord, and how is he his son?'
Beware of the Scribes
(Mark 12:38-40)
45And, all the people hearing, he said to his disciples, 46'Take heed of the scribes, who are wishing to walk in long robes, and are loving salutations in the markets, and first seats in the synagogues, and first couches in the suppers, 47who devour the houses of the widows, and for a pretence make long prayers, these shall receive more abundant judgment.'
The Favor of God Message paraphrase
The Authority of Jesus Questioned
¹ One day as Jesus was teaching the people in the temple courts and proclaiming the good news, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, together with the elders, came up to Him. ² “Tell us by what authority You are doing these things,” they said. “Who gave You this authority?”
³ He replied, “I will also ask you a question. Tell Me: ⁴ John’s baptism—was it from heaven, or of human origin?”
⁵ They discussed it among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will ask, ‘Why didn’t you believe him?’ ⁶ But if we say, ‘Of human origin,’ all the people will stone us, because they are convinced that John was a prophet.”
⁷ So they answered, “We don’t know where it was from.”
⁸ Jesus said, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.”
The Parable of the Tenants
⁹ He went on to tell the people this parable: “A man planted a vineyard, rented it to some farmers and went away for a long time. ¹⁰ At harvest time he sent a servant to the tenants so they would give him some of the fruit of the vineyard. But the tenants beat him and sent him away empty-handed. ¹¹ He sent another servant, but that one also they beat and treated shamefully and sent away empty-handed. ¹² He sent still a third, and they wounded him and threw him out. ¹³ “Then the owner of the vineyard said, ‘What shall I do? I will send my son, whom I love; perhaps they will respect him.’ ¹⁴ “But when the tenants saw him, they talked the matter over. ‘This is the heir,’ they said. ‘Let’s kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’ ¹⁵ So they threw him out of the vineyard and killed him.
“What then will the owner of the vineyard do to them? ¹⁶ He will come and kill those tenants and give the vineyard to others.”
When the people heard this, they said, “God forbid!”
¹⁷ Jesus looked directly at them and asked, “Then what is the meaning of that which is written: ‘The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone’? ¹⁸ Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces; anyone on whom it falls will be crushed.”
¹⁹ The teachers of the law and the chief priests looked for a way to arrest Him immediately, because they knew He had spoken this parable against them. But they were afraid of the people.
Paying Taxes to Caesar
²⁰ Keeping a close watch on Him, they sent spies, who pretended to be sincere. They hoped to catch Jesus in something He said so that they might hand Him over to the power and authority of the governor. ²¹ So the spies questioned Him: “Teacher, we know that You speak and teach what is right, and that You do not show partiality but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. ²² Is it right for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”
²³ He saw through their duplicity and said to them, ²⁴ “Show Me a denarius. Whose image and inscription are on it?”
“Caesar’s,” they replied.
²⁵ He said to them, “Then give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”
²⁶ They were unable to trap Him in what He had said there in public. And astonished by His answer, they became silent.
The Resurrection and Marriage
²⁷ Some of the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to Jesus with a question. ²⁸ “Teacher,” they said, “Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies and leaves a wife but no children, the man must marry the widow and raise up offspring for his brother. ²⁹ Now there were seven brothers. The first one married a woman and died childless. ³⁰ The second ³¹ and then the third married her, and in the same way the seven died, leaving no children. ³² Finally, the woman died too. ³³ Now then, at the resurrection whose wife will she be, since the seven were married to her?”
³⁴ Jesus replied, “The people of this age marry and are given in marriage. ³⁵ But those who are considered worthy of taking part in the age to come and in the resurrection from the dead will neither marry nor be given in marriage, ³⁶ and they can no longer die; for they are like the angels. They are God’s children, since they are children of the resurrection. ³⁷ But in the account of the burning bush, even Moses showed that the dead rise, for he calls the Lord ‘the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’ ³⁸ He is not the God of the dead, but of the living, for to Him all are alive.”
³⁹ Some of the teachers of the law responded, “Well said, Teacher!” ⁴⁰ And no one dared to ask Him any more questions.
Whose Son Is the Messiah?
⁴¹ Then Jesus said to them, “Why is it said that the Messiah is the son of David? ⁴² David himself declares in the Book of Psalms: ‘The Lord said to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand ⁴³ until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.”’ ⁴⁴ David calls Him ‘Lord.’ How then can He be his son?”
Warning Against the Teachers of the Law
⁴⁵ While all the people were listening, Jesus said to His disciples, ⁴⁶ “Beware of the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. ⁴⁷ They devour widows’ houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will be punished most severely.”
Footnotes:
20:4: The question Jesus poses exposes the duplicity of the religious leaders who were unwilling to confront the truth of John’s prophetic ministry.
20:16: The tenants in the parable represent the leaders who reject God’s messengers and ultimately His Son, foreshadowing the judgment to come.
20:18: Jesus uses the imagery of the cornerstone to highlight His foundational role in God’s kingdom and the consequences of rejecting Him.
20:25: Jesus’ response on taxes speaks to a broader principle of giving to God what rightfully belongs to Him—our worship and allegiance.
20:36: In the resurrection, life is transformed, with those worthy of it becoming like angels, freed from death and earthly constraints.
20:38: The living God is a profound reality in Scripture, showing that even the patriarchs are alive to Him, pointing to the resurrection.
20:47: Jesus’ critique of the religious leaders emphasizes their hypocrisy, warning against outward displays of piety that hide inner corruption.
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