Devine Scripture

Matthew 21:23

What does Matthew 21:23 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 21:23 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 21:23 means

Upon Jesus' return to the Temple, the chief priests and elders confronted Him while He was teaching. They challenged His authority, demanding to know, "By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority?" This was a direct assault on His right to teach, cleanse the Temple, and perform miracles, revealing their legalistic mindset and their deep-seated opposition to His growing influence.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And when he was come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came unto him as he was teaching, and said, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority?

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And when he was come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came unto him as he was teaching, and said, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority?

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And when he was come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came unto him as he was teaching, and said, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority?

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And when he had come into the Temple, the chief priests and those in authority over the people came to him while he was teaching, and said, By what authority do you do these things? and who gave you this authority?

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And he having come to the temple, there came to him when teaching the chief priests and the elders of the people, saying, `By what authority dost thou do these things? and who gave thee this authority?'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And when he was come into the temple, there came to him, as he was teaching, the chief priests and ancients of the people, saying: By what authority dost thou these things? And who hath given thee this authority?

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And when he came into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him [as he was] teaching, saying, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority?

Context

This verse shifts the scene back to the Temple in Jerusalem, describing the direct confrontation between Jesus and the religious leaders, following His teachings on faith and prayer. This challenge to His authority immediately precedes Jesus' counter-question, initiating a series of rhetorical exchanges. This marks a renewed and intensified opposition from the religious establishment.

v.22And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.

v.23This passage

v.24And Jesus answered and said unto them, I also will ask you one question, which if ye tell me, I likewise will tell you by what authority I do these things.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Acts 7:27

    But he that did his neighbor wrong thrust him away, saying, Who made thee a ruler and a judge over us?

  • 1 Chronicles 24:1

    And the courses of the sons of Aaron were these. The sons of Aaron: Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar.

  • Exodus 2:14

    And he said, Who made thee a prince and a judge over us? thinkest thou to kill me, as thou killedst the Egyptian? And Moses feared, and said, Surely the thing is known.

  • Mark 11:27

    And they come again to Jerusalem: and as he was walking in the temple, there come to him the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders;

  • Luke 19:47

    And he was teaching daily in the temple. But the chief priests and the scribes and the principal men of the people sought to destroy him:

  • Acts 4:7

    And when they had set them in the midst, they inquired, By what power, or in what name, have ye done this?

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