Mark 11:33

Verse

So they answered, “We do not know.” And Jesus replied, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.”

American Standard Version (1901)

And they answered Jesus and say, We know not. And Jesus saith unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.

Bible in Basic English

And they said in answer to Jesus, We have no idea. And Jesus said to them, And I will not say to you by what authority I do these things.

Free Bible Version

So they answered Jesus, “We don't know.” “Then I'm not telling you by whose authority I do these things,” replied Jesus.

Geneva Bible 1599

Then they answered, and saide vnto Iesus, We cannot tell. And Iesus answered, and said vnto them, Neither will I tell you by what authoritie I doe these things.

King James (Authorized) Version

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.

One Unity Resource Bible

They answered Yeshua [Salvation], “We don’t know.” Yeshua [Salvation] said to them, “Neither do I tell you by what authority I do these things.”

Plain English Version

So the Jewish leaders said, “We don’t know who told John to do that washing ceremony for people.” Then Jesus said, “You did not answer me, so I will not answer you. I will not tell you which big boss said that I can do those things.”

Translation for Translators

So they answered Jesus, “We do not know where John got his authority.” Then Jesus said to them, “Because you did not answer my question, I will not tell you who authorized me to do those things here yesterday.”

Unlocked Literal Bible

Then they answered Jesus and said, “We do not know.” Then Jesus said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.”

Noah Webster Bible

And they answered and said to Jesus, We cannot tell. And Jesus answering saith to them, Neither do I tell you by what authority I do these things.

World English Bible

They answered Jesus, “We don’t know.” Jesus said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.”

Young's Literal Translation

and answering they say to Jesus, 'We have not known;' and Jesus answering saith to them, 'Neither do I tell you by what authority I do these things.'

Context

Jesus’ Authority Challenged

³²But if we say, ‘From men’...” they were afraid of the people, for they all held that John truly was a prophet. ³³So they answered, “We do not know.” And Jesus replied, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.”

Summary

In Mark 11:33, the religious leaders question Jesus' authority after He cleanses the temple and teaches there. Their motive is not genuine inquiry but rather an attempt to trap Him. Jesus responds wisely by asking them about John the Baptist's authority, revealing their hypocrisy and causing them to retreat. This interaction showcases Jesus' divine wisdom and ability to navigate challenging situations with grace and truth, ultimately silencing His critics and affirming His authority as the Son of God.

Commentary

Tyndale

Tyndale Open Study Notes

11:33 In answering, “We don’t know,” the religious leaders of the nation admitted that they could not answer a simple question that the people had no difficulty in answering: John was sent from God. They thus forfeited the religious leadership of the nation on this question. Their hardness of heart (3:5; 7:6), their unwillingness to see (4:12), and their deliberate refusal to accept the truth made further discussion fruitless. Their blindness and hostility toward God’s servants John the Baptist and Jesus, their desecration of the Temple, and their plot to kill Jesus all revealed why God’s judgment would come within that very generation (13:30).