COMMENTARY ON MARK

LESSON NUMBER 125

      “ ^{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, ²⁸ And say unto Him, By what authority doest Thou these things? and who gave Thee this authority to do these things? ²⁹ And Jesus answered and said unto them, I will also ask of you one question, and answer Me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things. ³⁰ The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men? answer Me. ³¹ And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; He will say, Why then did ye not believe him? ³² But if we shall say, Of men; they feared the people: for all men counted John, that he was a prophet indeed. ³³ And they answered and said unto Jesus, We cannot tell. And Jesus answering saith unto them, Neither do I tell you by what authority I do these things.”

(Mark 11:27-33; Matthew 21:3-7; Luke 20:1-8)

SOME PEOPLE HAVE NO RIGHT TO KNOW

INTRODUCTION

               As they were returning to Jerusalem, Jesus spoke at length with His disciples about prayer, and especially about seeking forgiveness from God in their prayers. Of course, none of this instruction could have been received if the disciples had not been with Jesus. Even in those days, when their faith was being birthed and developed, they knew they had to be with Jesus to receive any valid knowledge concerning the things of God. None of them concluded that, after spending some quality time with Jesus, they could return to their homes and begin deciphering the Scriptures and acquiring the good things of God. Whether, at this time, they knew it cognitively or not, they sensed in their hearts that Jesus was the End as well as the Beginning, the Last as well as the First, and the Omega as well as the Alpha. There simply is no provision for men to begin with Jesus, and then proceed to spiritual maturity without Him. While it ought to be obvious that a people who required quickening, washing, and sanctification cannot continue in the newness of life without Jesus, there are multitudes of people that are attempting to do so. The Gospel of Christ is too often viewed as only for those who have not yet been delivered from the power of darkness. The earthly ministry of Christ underscores the absurdity of such a view. The disciples had to remain with Jesus to advance, and He had to be with them.

WHO GAVE THEE THIS AUTHORITY?

               “ ^{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, ²⁸ And say unto Him, By what authority doest Thou these things? and who gave Thee this authority to do these things.”

               THEY CAME AGAIN TO JERUSALEM. The Gospel record is wisely beginning to focus our attention on the city of Jerusalem. It was prophesied that this would be the place where “a fountain” would be opened “to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and uncleanness” (Zech 13:1). Joel also foretold, “in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the LORD hath said” (Joel 2:32). This is the reason God had placed His name there, sanctifying the city as the place in which the basis for salvation would be accomplished (1 Kgs 11:36). Therefore, Jesus has returned to the holy city to prepare to lay down His life. I do not doubt that He often pondered the prophesies of salvation that related to that city.

               HE WAS WALKING IN THE TEMPLE. During the last few days of His ministry, Jesus was not often in the streets. When in the city, He spent the majority of His time in the Temple. When He was arrested in the Garden, He reminded those imagining they were capturing Him, “I sat daily with you, teaching in the Temple” (Matt 26:55; Mk 14:49). Luke says of Jesus, “And in the day time He was teaching in the temple” (Luke 21:37). This practice of Jesus was not confined to the last week of His ministry. Throughout those three-plus years when He went about “doing good and healing all who were oppressed of the devil,” whenever He entered Jerusalem, He spent the burden of His time “in the Temple” (John 2:14; 5:14; 7:28; 8:20; 10:43).

               Mark states that Jesus was “walking in the Temple.” Matthew says “He was come into the Temple” (Matt 21:23).

Speaking of the event covered in our text, Luke states that it took place “on one of those days, as He taught the people in the temple, and preached the gospel” (Luke 20:1). Jesus was not simply strolling through the Temple courts, but was teaching the people as He moved along, preaching the Gospel to them. All of this was taking place as He prepared for His death – a staggering experience that moved Him later to pray as His sweat dropped in a bloody form to the ground (Lk 22:44). At that time, He will be moved to pray “with strong crying and tears” because of the awfulness of the hour, and the contemplation of being “cut off” from His God, as well as from the land of the living (Heb 5:7). Now, however, even though He is only a very few days from His betrayal, He is not engaged in such activities. Instead, He is teaching the people and preaching the Gospel. He will wrestle in prayer when the hour comes, but will not spend His time fretting until then.

               For those who desire to be like Jesus – which is God’s predetermined purpose for them – there is a valuable lesson to be learned here. Satan works to cause us to fret, and to live in fear of what is coming. It is far better to busy yourself in the work of the Lord, living by faith and walking in the Spirit, until the time of trial comes. Then you will be able to enter into it with spiritual strength, and glorify God throughout the whole matter.

               THERE COME TO HIM. As Jesus was walking about the Temple courts, teaching the people and preaching the Gospel, He was accessible to the people. He is not the only one there. Now the chief priests, scribes, and elders approach him. A certain modern day preacher (2007) will not allow the people to touch him while he is preaching, because. He says, the anointing is upon Him. Behold the King as he moves about. Lo, even His enemies have access to Him, and can ask Him questions – even if they are the wrong ones. A professed preacher or teacher who is not accessible to the people is a false one.

               WHO GAVE THEE THIS AUTHORITY? The chief priests, scribes, and elders, ask Jesus who gave Him the authority “to do these things.” Luke reads, “who is he that gave Thee this authority?”(Luke 20:2) They have in their mind the cleansing of the Temple that had taken place the previous day. They also might have been referring to the blind and lame people Jesus had also healed in the Temple at the time He cleansed it (Matt 21:14). Matthew says they came to Jesus “as He was teaching” (Matt 21:23). Luke says their approach took place “as he taught in the Temple, and preached the Gospel” (Lk 20:1).

               Observe that these men associated what Jess did with “authority.” The word “authority” comes from a word meaning “liberty to do what one pleases . . . the ability or strength with which one is endued.” ^THAYER These men have seen the results of the authority, and there is no question but that Jesus possessed some extraordinary power or ability. No ordinary man could do such things as successfully cleansing the Temple and, on the same day, healing all manner of blind and lame people. Throughout His ministry Jesus had publicly declared the source of His authority (John 5:36; 10:32,37,38). However, these men had placed no value on the words of Jesus, and therefore did not consider or retain them. It is most unfortunate in our day that men lack the knowledge of the uniqueness of Christ’s work. It is not likely that such a question would be asked today.

IT WAS THE WRONG QUESTION

               “ ²⁹ And Jesus answered and said unto them, I will also ask of you one question, and answer Me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things. ³⁰ The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men? answer Me.”

               One of the evidences that Jesus was the promised Messiah is the manner in which He handled questions. Isaiah prophesied of Him, “And the Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon Him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD; and He shall be of quick understanding” (Isa 11:2-3). This circumstance places at least two obligations upon men. First, to listen to what Jesus says, giving heed to Him who now speaks from heaven. Second, to seek an understanding from Him, for He is come to “give us an understanding” (1 John 5:20).

               I WILL ASK YOU ONE QUESTION. An attribute of the wisdom and understanding that is resident in Jesus is the ability to determine the validity of a question, as well as the motive that prompted it. All questions do not deserve an answer, and our text provides an example of that reality.

               The question asked Jesus had not dealt with the condition of the ones asking it. Therefore, Jesus will first deal with them. He will expose whether or not they are sincere, and if they are truly interested in any authority outside of themselves. He knows the answer to these things, for “He knew what was in man” (John 2:25). Jesus does not conduct an interview, or give a test. He will ask “one question,” and it will be a wise and discerning one.

               ANSWER ME, AND I WILL TELL YOU. Jesus twice makes this statement: “answer Me!” He asks the question as Lord, not as a Teacher. Now, in just a few words, He has changed the whole intellectual climate. The Jewish leaders had asked a question as though Jesus was answerable to them. Now Jesus affirms that before they proceed any further, they must answer Him. This confirms that the questions of men are not the most important questions. They obtain value only if they are valid, and are asked with the proper spirit and focus.

               Jesus, by saying He will answer them if they will answer Him, is not entering into a mere exchange of information. They have come to the light, so to speak, and now He will expose their deeds (John 3:21). This is not a private session, but is taking place as Jesus is walking, talking, teaching, and preaching. Other people are being exposed to this dialog, just as we are. They will learn something about their leaders they probably had not seen before.

               IS IT FROM HEAVEN OR MEN? What a question Jesus asked! “Was the baptism of John from heaven, or from men? Answer Me?” ^NASB At this time, John had already been beheaded, and yet the potency of his ministry remained. It is interesting that Jesus chose a subject that is still the cause of much controversy – baptism. Jesus Himself had submitted to John’s baptism, coming to the Jordan “to be baptized of him” (Matt 3:15). The Pharisees and lawyers, however, “rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him” (Luke 7:30). Perhaps some of the people thought they were not ready, or that they did not understand the purpose of John’s baptism. Jesus pierces their hearts, going straight to the real issue. Did John’s baptism originate with heaven, or with men? There are, then, things upon earth that were originated in heaven – else this question would have no meaning. Furthermore, it is the responsibility of men to distinguish these realities from things that were originated by men – else there would be no need to ask the question.

               One might wonder just how anyone would have known the source of John’s baptism. First, as Peter affirmed to the household of Cornelius, John “preached” this baptism, as well as performed it: “ . . . the baptism which John preached” (Acts 10:37). Paul also declared this in Antioch of Pisidia: “John had first preached . . . the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel” (Acts 13:24). Second, following the baptism of Jesus, John testified, “And I knew Him not: but that He should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water. And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him. And I knew him not: but He that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, the same is He which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost” (John 1:31-33). There was no question, then, concerning the Source of John’s baptism. In it, John called upon men to repent toward God, thereby confirming its source. Further, John himself testified publicly to its origin.

               This is an excellent question to ask concerning things that are true, as well as things that are false. The root of the matter is that if something said to be related to God was originated by men, other men are not obligated to respect and obey it. If, on the other hand, something is from God, that casts an entirely different light upon it. If it is from God, then it must be determined if God still requires it of men – like circumcision or animal sacrifices. If it is no longer required, God will plainly declare it through His messengers. If it is clearly related to the New Covenant and administration of Christ, it is to be received as from God.

WHEN JESUS REFUSES TO ANSWER THE QUESTION

               “ ³¹ And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; He will say, Why then did ye not believe him? ³² But if we shall say, Of men; they feared the people: for all men counted John, that he was a prophet indeed. ³³ And they answered and said unto Jesus, We cannot tell. And Jesus answering saith unto them, Neither do I tell you by what authority I do these things.”

               THEY REASONED WITH THEMSELVES. Upon hearing the question, the men “reasoned with themselves,” or “discussed it among themselves.” ^NIV Their reasoning did not even address the question that was asked of them. Instead, they discussed the outcome of their answer, thinking only of themselves, and not of the question itself. These men were not accustomed to thinking in terms of the ultimate source of things. On one occasion, the Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus asking why His disciples transgressed “the tradition of the elders” (Mk 7:5). They did not have a fleeting thought about the ultimate origin of the elders’ tradition. When they “reasoned,” they assumed they were right, and everyone else was wrong.

               It is of more than passing interest that they reasoned among themselves rather than with Christ Jesus, who had asked the question. Of old time God has said through Isaiah, “Come let us reason together” (Isa 1:18). However, when men accept tradition as valid in religion, they place no corresponding value on God, Christ, or their Word. That, of course, is what enables sectarianism to remain alive and well. Babylon would fall overnight if those choosing to dwell in it would consider the source of its teachings and requirements. However, flesh does not think this way.

               IF IT IS FROM HEAVEN. These men are not reasoning whether or not the baptism of John was from heaven. Rather they are talking among themselves about the possible outcome of SAYING it was from heaven. Jesus already knew what their real answer was. How they felt about John’s baptism was also revealed in their refusal to submit to it. They really did not believe it was from God, else they would have done just as the others whom John baptized.

               Being shrewd, but not spiritually intelligent, they reasoned, “If we shall say, From heaven; He will say, Why then did ye not believe him?” Even to these men, failing to do what is said to be required is an admission that one does not believe the message. As obvious as this form of reasoning is, many of our times cannot even think on this level. They think nothing of saying they believe this or that, even though they do not submit to it. They say they believe the Bible is inspired, yet they rarely read it, and do not conform their lives to it, living “by every word of God.” Yet, these men did not want to be known as those who did not believe someone who was sent from God, so they determine not to say John’s baptism was from heaven.

               IF IT IS FROM MEN. Now they are cast on the horns of a dilemma. Jesus has, so to speak, provided only two possible answers: was the baptism of John from heaven or from men? Now, they reason that if they say it was of human origin, the other people who are privy to this discussion “will stone us: for they be persuaded that John was a prophet” (Luke 20:6). Thus the question that Jesus has asked them has backed them into a corner from which they cannot extricate themselves.

               WE CANNOT TELL. These men do not humble themselves under the mighty hand of God. They do not ask the Lord what they can do, nor do they confess how they really felt about John’s baptism. Instead they reply, “We cannot tell,” or “We do not know” ^NKJV Their reply does not mean they just did not want to answer, i.e. “We prefer not to answer that question.” The answer means, “We have no idea,” ^BBE or “We have not known.” ^YLT They claimed ignorance on the subject, even though they had heard John and rejected his baptism.

               NEITHER DO I TELL YOU. Jesus answers them according to their own words: “Neither do I tell you by what authority I do these things.” We see here the nature of the Lord Jesus, and His conduct toward those whose hearts are not right before Him. He will not even tell such people the Source of His authority, much less break open the secrets of the Kingdom. It is Christ’s manner to veil and conceal the truth to those who are not suited to receive it. That is why He spoke in parables to the people, “lest at any time they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them”(Matt 13:10-15). There is no wisdom or power in men that can overcome this condition. If men’s hearts are fundamentally corrupt, it is impossible for them to see the truth, for the Lord hides it from them. It is this condition that has given rise to the sudden emergence of religious specialists who offer meaningless substitutes for truth. Were it not for the fact that God has hidden the truth, these men could not even surface.

               This is a sterling example of something that was revealed through David: “With the pure Thou wilt show Thyself pure; and with the froward Thou wilt show Thyself froward” (Psa 18:26). These men were froward – headstrong and self-willed. Therefore, Jesus responded to them in the same manner: “Neither will I tell you . . . ” ^NIV He did not answer fools according to their folly (Prov 26:4). How differently Jesus speaks to those humble spirits who follow him!