Matthew 21:27

“And they answered Jesus and said, we cannot tell, etc.] They saw the dilemma they were brought into; they chose rather therefore to speak against their own consciences, and tell a wilful lie, and incur the reproach of ignorance: who, at other times, took upon them to judge of a prophet, whether he was a true or a false one, and by what authority he acted, whether of God, or man: but now being reduced to this wretched condition, contrary to their office and character, declare they did not know, and could not tell from whence John had his commission, and who gave him his authority: and he said unto them, neither tell I you by what authority I do these things: since, according to the proposal…”

“And they answered Jesus, and said, We cannot tell--Evidently their difficulty was, how to answer, so as neither to shake their determination to reject the claims of Christ nor damage their reputation with the people. For the truth itself they cared nothing whatever. Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things--What composure and dignity of wisdom does our Lord here display, as He turns their question upon themselves, and, while revealing His knowledge of their hypocrisy, closes their mouths! Taking advantage of the surprise, silence, and awe produced by this reply, our Lord followed it up immediately by the two following parables. Parable of the Two Sons (Mat 21:28-32).”

“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…”

“Neither tell I you - Not again, in express terms: he had often told them before, and they would not believe him. Matthew 21:30”

“21:27 The leaders lacked integrity and courage to confess what they believed about John. So Jesus’ refusal to answer their original question was fair.”

“We cannot tell: Mat 15:14, Mat 16:3, Mat 23:16-28; Isa 6:10, Isa 28:9, Isa 29:10-12, Isa 42:19, Isa 42:20, Isa 56:10, Isa 56:11; Jer 8:7-9; Mal 2:6-9; Luk 20:7, Luk 20:8; Joh 9:30, Joh 9:40, Joh 9:41; Rom 1:18-22, Rom 1:28; Co2 4:3; Th2 2:9, Th2 2:10 Matthew 21:28”