New Testament
Matthew 21:27
The Clear Bible Translation matches the King James Version, written at a 10th-grade reading level in plain English
At a Glance
In this passage, Jesus is confronted by religious leaders who question His authority to teach and perform miracles.
- Author
- Matthew the apostle
- Written
- Around AD 60-70
- Genre
- Gospel
- Original Audience
- Jewish Christians
So they answered Jesus, "We don't know." He replied, "Then I'm not going to tell you by what authority I do these things either.
And they answered Jesus, and said, We cannot tell. And he said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.
Verse Analysis
Plain-English insight for readers
In this passage, Jesus is confronted by religious leaders who question His authority to teach and perform miracles. When they refuse to answer His question about the source of John the Baptist's authority, Jesus decides not to reveal His own authority either. This exchange highlights the leaders' unwillingness to acknowledge the truth and their fear of the people's reaction. By not answering, Jesus demonstrates that He will not engage with those who are insincere or evasive. The leaders' inability to provide a straightforward answer reflects their lack of understanding and commitment to God's message. This moment serves as a reminder that true authority comes from God, and those who seek to undermine it often find themselves trapped in their own contradictions. Jesus' response also emphasizes the importance of honesty and integrity in spiritual matters, as well as the consequences of rejecting divine truth.
Related Bible verses
How to apply Matthew 21:27 to your life
This passage encourages us to seek truth sincerely and to be honest in our spiritual inquiries. It reminds us that avoiding difficult questions can lead to spiritual stagnation. We should strive to understand and acknowledge God's authority in our lives, rather than shying away from it.
Curated for this public verse page. Matthew Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers about this verse
What does Matthew 21:27 teach about authority?
Matthew 21:27 illustrates the challenge of recognizing true authority. Jesus, confronted by religious leaders, highlights their refusal to acknowledge the source of John the Baptist's authority, which reflects their own spiritual blindness. By not revealing His authority, Jesus emphasizes that genuine authority comes from God and that those who evade the truth often find themselves trapped in their own contradictions.
Why did Jesus refuse to answer the religious leaders?
Jesus refused to answer the religious leaders because they were insincere and evasive in their questioning. When they could not provide a straightforward answer about John the Baptist's authority, Jesus chose not to reveal His own authority. This response underscores the importance of honesty and integrity in spiritual matters, as well as the consequences of rejecting divine truth.
What can we learn from the exchange between Jesus and the leaders?
The exchange between Jesus and the religious leaders teaches us the importance of seeking truth sincerely. It reminds us that avoiding difficult questions can lead to spiritual stagnation. We should strive to understand and acknowledge God's authority in our lives, rather than shying away from it, as this can deepen our faith and commitment to His message.
How does this verse relate to spiritual honesty?
Matthew 21:27 emphasizes the significance of spiritual honesty. The religious leaders' inability to answer Jesus reflects their lack of commitment to God's truth. Jesus' refusal to engage with their insincerity serves as a reminder that true spiritual growth requires honesty in our inquiries and a willingness to confront difficult truths about our faith.
The Book of Matthew
Matthew 1: The Generation and Birth of Jesus Christ
The book begins with the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. It records the generations from Abraham to David, from David until the carrying away into Babylon, and from the carrying away into Babylon unto Christ, each being fourteen generations. The genealogy concludes with Jacob begetting Joseph, the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.
Unlock the full Matthew summary
Continue reading every chapter — themes, structure, and turning points.
The complete summary of Matthew — a chapter-by-chapter breakdown covering all 28 chapters.
What you get
Every chapter of Matthew summarized in clear, modern English
How each section connects — narrative flow, key themes, and turning points
Permanent access — read anytime, on any device
Best value • Save over 90%
One-time purchase • Access anytime
ClearBible summaries are proprietary content and may not be copied, republished, or resold.
Checkout works as a guest. After payment, you create an account to claim your unlock.