Ep. 91: The Authority of Jesus questioned
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MATTHEW 21:23-27, MARK 11:27-33, LUKE 20:1-8
This third day is so crowded, the actors introduced on the scene are so many, the occurrences so varied and the transitions so rapid, that it is even more than usually difficult to arrange all in chronological order. But we’ll do our best! This was, so to speak, Jesus’ last working day, the last of his public mission to Israel, the last day in the Temple, the last of teaching and warning to Pharisees and Sadducees, the last of his call to national repentance.
As usual, the day commenced with teaching in the Temple. From the formal manner in which the chief priests, the Scribes and the elders are introduced and from the fact that they met Jesus immediately on his entry into the Temple, we assume that a meeting of the authorities had been held to organise measures against the growing danger.
Yet, even so, cowardice, as well as cunning, marked their procedure. They dared not directly oppose him, but endeavoured, through attacking him on the one point, his authority. For them, all teaching must be authoritative, approved by an acceptable authority and handed down from teacher to disciple. The ultimate appeal in cases of discussion was always to some great authority, whether an individual teacher or a decree by the Sanhedrin. In this manner had the great Hillel first vindicated his claim to be the teacher of his time and to decide the disputes then pending. And to decide differently from authority was either the mark of ignorant assumption or the outcome of daring rebellion, in either case, to be visited with ‘the ban.’
The question, therefore, with which the Jewish authorities met Jesus did not merely challenge him for teaching but also asked for his authority in what he did. They were not there to oppose him but, when a man did as he had done in the Temple, it was their duty to verify his credentials. He did answer their question, though he also exposed the cunning and cowardice which prompted it. To the challenge for his authority and the dark hint about Satanic influences. He replied by an appeal to John the Baptist.
What was their view of the Baptist in preparation for the Coming of Christ? They would not, or could not answer! If they said the Baptist was a prophet, this implied not only the authority of the mission of Jesus, but the call to believe in him. On the other hand, they were afraid publicly to disown John! And so their cunning and cowardice stood out self-condemned when they pleaded ignorance - a plea so grossly and manifestly dishonest, that Jesus could refuse further discussion with them on this point.
This is an extract from the book, Jesus : Life and Times, available for £10 here (Finalist for Academic Book of the year at 2023 CRT awards)