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Matthew 21:24

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does Matthew 21:24 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And Jesus answered and said unto them, I also will ask you one question, which if ye tell me, I likewise will tell you by what authority I do these things.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And Jesus answered and said unto them, I also will ask you one question, which if ye tell me, I likewise will tell you by what authority I do these things.
Matthew 21:24 — American Standard Version

Context — Matthew 21

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
21And Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do what is done to the fig tree, but even if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou taken up and cast into the sea, it shall be done.
22And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.
23And when he was come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came unto him as he was teaching, and said, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority?
24And Jesus answered and said unto them, I also will ask you one question, which if ye tell me, I likewise will tell you by what authority I do these things.
25The baptism of John, whence was it? from heaven or from men? And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say unto us, Why then did ye not believe him?
26But if we shall say, From men; we fear the multitude; for all hold John as a prophet.
27And they answered Jesus, and said, We know not. He also said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.
← Matthew 21:23Matthew 21:25 →
← Full Chapter 21 Matthew Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And Jesus answered and said unto them, etc.] Not by replying directly to their question, but by putting another question to them, whereby he escaped the snare he saw they laid for him: I also will ask you one thing, word, or question, which if ye tell me; honestly, and plainly answer to it, I likewise will tell you by what authority I do these things: which was putting the thing upon such a foot, and in such a form, as they could not well object to; for Christ promises, that if they would return a plain answer to the question he had to put to them, and which was no unreasonable, nor impertinent one, he would thoroughly satisfy them in this point; and expressly declare his commission and…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“And Jesus answered and said unto them, I also will ask you one thing, &c.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“See also Mark 11:27-33; Luke 20:1-9. Matthew 21:23 When he was come into the temple - That is, probably, into the inner court - the court of the Israelites. They took this opportunity of questioning him on this subject when he was not surrounded by the multitude. By what authority ... - There was a show of propriety in this question. He was making great changes in the affairs of the temple, and they claimed the right to know why this was done, contrary to their permission. He was not “a priest;” he had no civil or ecclesiastical authority as a Jew. It was sufficient authority, indeed, that he came as a prophet and worked miracles. But they professed not to be satisfied with that. These…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“I will ask you one thing - Who have asked me many: The baptism, that is, the whole ministry of John, was it from heaven or from men? - By what authority did he act and teach? Did man or God give him that authority? Was it not God? But if so, the consequence was clear. For John testified that Jesus was the Christ. Matthew 21:25”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“21:24 Jesus propounded a riddle, the solution to which answered the leaders’ question and forced them into a dilemma that revealed their hearts (21:25-26). Answering by counter-question was typical for such debates.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“I also: Mat 10:16; Pro 26:4, Pro 26:5; Luk 6:9; Col 4:6 Matthew 21:25”
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Related study paths

Read Matthew 21 in contextBrowse Greek word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification