The Authority of Jesus Challenged

Mark 11

²⁷ Then they came again to Jerusalem. _s And as He was walking in the temple, the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders came to Him. ²⁸ And they said to Him, "By what _t authority are You doing these things? And who gave You this authority to do these things?" ²⁹ But Jesus answered and said to them, "I also will ask you one question; then answer Me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things: ³⁰ "The _u baptism of John - was it from heaven or from men? Answer Me." ³¹ And they reasoned among themselves, saying, "If we say, 'From heaven,' He will say, 'Why then did you not believe him?' ³² "But if we say, 'From men' " - they feared the people, for _v all counted John to have been a prophet indeed. ³³ So they answered and said to Jesus, "We do not know." And Jesus answered and said to them, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things."

1. Cross References
   Matthew 21:23 - 27
   Now when He came into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people confronted Him as He was teaching, and said, "By what authority are You doing these things? And who gave You this authority?
   Luke 20:1 - 8
   Now it happened on one of those days, as He taught the people in the temple and preached the gospel, that the chief priests and the scribes, together with the elders, confronted Him
   
2. Cross References
   John 5:27
   And has given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of Man.
   
3. Cross References
   Mark 1:4
   John came baptizing in the wilderness and preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.
   Mark 1:5
   Then all the land of Judea, and those from Jerusalem, went out to him and were all baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins.
   Mark 1:8
   "I indeed baptized you with water, but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."
   Luke 7:29
   And when all the people heard Him, even the tax collectors justified God, having been baptized with the baptism of John.
   Luke 7:30
   But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the will of God for themselves, not having been baptized by him.
   
4. Cross References
   Matthew 3:5
   Then Jerusalem, all Judea, and all the region around the Jordan went out to him
   Matthew 14:5
   And although he wanted to put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet.
   Mark 6:20
   For Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just and holy man, and he protected him. And when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly.