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Matthew 21:23-27

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12Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves.

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23Jesus entered the temple courts, and, while he was teaching, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him. “By what authority are you doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave you this authority?”

24Jesus replied, “I will also ask you one question. If you answer me, I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things.

25John’s baptism—where did it come from? Was it from heaven, or of human origin?” They discussed it among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will ask, ‘Then why didn’t you believe him?’

26But if we say, ‘Of human origin’—we are afraid of the people, for they all hold that John was a prophet.”

27So they answered Jesus, “We don’t know.” Then he said, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.

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1)       Is verse 12 included in VisionCasting-Matthew21.12-17?

o   Yes. 

 

2)       Why is verse 12 included here?

o   It is included here to provide continuity of context. 

 

3)       Why did the religious leaders ask Jesus about the authority by which he cleared the temple and the party that gave him the authority, given that they controlled the operation of the temple?

o   It is because Jesus was infringing upon their authority. 

 

4)       According to what Jesus said in verses 24 and 25 under what condition would he tell the religious leaders by what authority he was clearing the temple?

o   Jesus would tell the religious leaders by what authority he was clearing the temple. 

o   If

o   They would tell him if John’s baptism was

§  From heaven.

§  Or of human origin.

 

5)       According to the discussion of the religious leaders in verses 25 and 26 how did Jesus’ question put them in a difficult situation?

o   If they say, ‘From heaven,’ Jesus will ask, ‘Then why didn’t you believe him?’

o   If they say, ‘Of human origin’—they are afraid of the people.

o   For

o   They all hold that John was a prophet.

 

6)       Did the religious leaders care whether John’s baptism was from heaven or of human origin if we judge from the way they formulated their reply to Jesus?

o   No, they could care less.

o   Where

o   It was from.

 

7)       According to verse 27 did Jesus tell the religious leaders the authority by which he cleared the temple and why?

o   No, because they were unable to answer Jesus’ question.

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Matthew 21:23-27

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