Mark 11:27 - Meaning and Application

Here we see Christ examined by the great Sanhedrin, the Jewish ruling court, about his authority. They believed they had the right to question prophets about who sent them. They came to him while he was walking in the temple and teaching the people, first one group and then another. The cloisters, or covered walkways, in the temple courts were well suited for this kind of teaching.

The leading men were troubled to see how many people followed him and listened closely. So they came to him with some formality and, as it were, put him on trial with this question, “By what authority do you do these things?” (Mark 11:28). They meant to trap him and put him in a difficult spot. If they could make the people think he had no lawful commission, that he had not been properly sent, then they would say the people should not listen to him. This was their last excuse for stubborn unbelief. Since they were determined not to receive his teaching, they looked for some flaw in his commission. If they could not see it approved in their own court, they would reject it.

People in the Roman Catholic controversy sometimes use a similar argument about the mission of ministers. If they can raise doubts about that, they think they have won the case, even when Scripture is clearly on the other side. Still, this is a serious question that all who act as magistrates or ministers should be ready to answer for themselves: By what authority do I do these things? For how can anyone preach unless he is sent? And how can anyone act with peace, confidence, or hope of success unless he is authorized? (Jeremiah 23:32).

Christ answered them in a way that left them trapped by their own question. He said, in effect, “What do you think about the baptism of John? Was it from heaven, or from men? By what authority did John preach, baptize, and gather disciples? Answer me” (Mark 11:30). He made them deal with John, because his ministry and John’s ministry were closely connected. They had the same source and the same purpose, to prepare the way for the gospel kingdom. Christ could ask this with even more right because they had already sent their own committee to question John (John 1:19). So he was saying, “Now tell me what you found out about him.”

They knew what they believed about John, but they did not know what to say now. Anyone who does not make it a rule to speak as they truly think will soon get into this kind of trouble.

If they said John’s baptism was from heaven, which it really was, then they would shame themselves. Christ would immediately ask them why they had not believed John and received his baptism. They could not bear Christ to say that, though their own consciences already said it. They had learned how to silence conscience when it bothered them. What conscience said might trouble them a little, but it would not fully expose them. Like Saul, they cared most about honor before the people (1 Samuel 15:30).

If they said John was only from men, that he was not sent by God and made up his own teaching and baptism, then they would put themselves in danger. The people were ready to react strongly, because everyone believed John really was a prophet. So they could not safely speak against him. There is a worldly, fearful concern for safety that even evil rulers can feel. God sometimes uses that fear to restrain violence and keep the world from becoming worse than it is.

By putting them in this dilemma, Christ did two things. First, he left them confused and beaten, forced into a shameful retreat. They pretended not to know, saying, “We cannot tell,” and that was humiliating enough for proud men. In truth, their refusal showed malice and stubbornness. What Christ did by his wisdom, we should try to do by our good conduct, putting foolish people to silence (1 Peter 2:15).

Second, Christ came out with honor and showed that he did not need to answer their proud demand. He said, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.” They did not deserve an answer, because it was clear they were not seeking truth, but victory. He did not need to answer them either, because the works he had already done showed plainly that God had sent him. No one could do the miracles he did unless God was with him. In just a few days, his resurrection would show them who gave him authority, for by rising from the dead he would be declared the Son of God with power. At the same time, their refusal to believe him would show them to be enemies of God.