When Authority Meets Authenticity

Matthew 21:23-27 - Monday of the third week of Advent (Year C)(I) - 16 December

From the Gospel according to Matthew

At that time: When Jesus entered the Temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came up to him as he was teaching, and said, ‘By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?’ Jesus answered them, ‘I also will ask you one question, and if you tell me the answer, then I also will tell you by what authority I do these things. The baptism of John, from where did it come? From heaven or from man?’ And they discussed it among themselves, saying, ‘If we say, “From heaven”, he will say to us, “Why then did you not believe him?” But if we say, “From man”, we are afraid of the crowd, for they all hold that John was a prophet.’ So they answered Jesus, ‘We do not know.’ And he said to them, ‘Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.’

The Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ.

Jesus teaches in the Temple, the centre of Jewish religious life and authority. This confrontation happens in the context of escalating tension between Jesus and the religious authorities.

This episode appears in all three Synoptic Gospels: Matthew 21:23-27, Mark 11:27-33, and Luke 20:1-8. The accounts are remarkably similar, indicating the importance of this encounter. However, Matthew's version emphasises the teaching aspect, fitting his portrayal of Jesus as the authoritative teacher of the new covenant.

The religious leaders' question about authority is particularly pointed in Matthew's account, using a double question format: "By what authority?" and "Who gave you this authority?" Jesus' counter-question about John's baptism demonstrates His wisdom in dealing with hostile interrogation. It's not evasion but a masterful exposure of His opponents' insincerity. The reference to John the Baptist is significant as it connects to earlier themes in Matthew's Gospel, where John's ministry authenticated Jesus' mission. Furthermore, the leaders' internal dialogue reveals their political calculation rather than genuine truth-seeking, showing their primary concern with maintaining power rather than discerning God's will.

Reflection: