Mark 11:27-12:12

A Question of Authority

Jesus had authority over the Chief Priests, Scribes and Elders on the Church, yet they confronted Him and questioned His authority. I think you?d agree, this is not the swiftest move these guys could make. But let me ask you this: do you ever question God's authority over your life? Our study is in the gospel of Mark.

  1. 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,
  2. And say unto him, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority to do these things?
  3. 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.
  4. The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men? answer me.
  5. And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say, Why then did ye not believe him?
  6. But if we shall say, Of men; they feared the people: for all men counted John, that he was a prophet indeed.
  7. 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.
  1. And he began to speak unto them by parables. A certain man planted a vineyard, and set an hedge about it, and digged a place for the winefat, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country.
  2. And at the season he sent to the husbandmen a servant, that he might receive from the husbandmen of the fruit of the vineyard.
  3. And they caught him, and beat him, and sent him away empty.
  4. And again he sent unto them another servant; and at him they cast stones, and wounded him in the head, and sent him away shamefully handled.
  5. And again he sent another; and him they killed, and many others; beating some, and killing some.
  6. Having yet therefore one son, his wellbeloved, he sent him also last unto them, saying, They will reverence my son.
  7. But those husbandmen said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and the inheritance shall be our's.
  8. And they took him, and killed him, and cast him out of the vineyard.
  9. What shall therefore the lord of the vineyard do? he will come and destroy the husbandmen, and will give the vineyard unto others.
  10. And have ye not read this scripture; The stone which the builders rejected is become the head of the corner:
  11. This was the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?
  12. And they sought to lay hold on him, but feared the people: for they knew that he had spoken the parable against them: and they left him, and went their way.