Mark 11:33

They thought only of themselves and their religious reputation. They cared nothing for the needs of men, and nothing for the holiness of God's house. They wanted to keep their own authority, so they were jealous of anything done in religious matters that was not under their direction. They were indifferent to the corruption in the House of God, and unable to deal with it themselves. So they oppose the One who can deal with the evil, and does — by raising the question of authority.

They were blind, of course, so they were thinking only of man's authority. So the Lord, with admirable wisdom, asks them a question in return. He promises that if they will answer it, He will answer theirs. "Was the baptism of John from heaven or from man?" Where did John get his authority? Heaven's authority had never entered their earth-bound minds. So they find themselves in a serious dilemma.

It was an appeal to conscience. But they had no conscience, except a bad one. It shrank back into silence at once, afraid to commit itself, yet not afraid to treat God and man lightly… Who were they, then, to question the authority of Jesus? If all they could say was "We do not know," they confessed their own incompetence. Those who could not settle the question about the servant were surely not qualified to judge the Master. In truth their incapacity was even less than their hypocritical wickedness: the will was at fault more than the understanding.

They knew where it was from, but a true answer would have condemned themselves. To have denied its heavenly authority would have brought them into conflict with the crowd. So they answered, "We do not know." They showed what they were.

Our Lord refused to go on dealing with those who had closed their eyes to the light. So, when the Pharisees ask Him by what authority He does His miracles, He asks them a question that uncovers their attitude toward God… Our Lord therefore turns from them: "Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things."

To tell them the ground of His authority was useless. It was too late now to tell them. They would have stoned Him if He had named its true source… So Jesus refuses to treat them as competent leaders and guardians of the people's faith. They had judged themselves.

It did not suit them to own their sins, and so the light was soon put out for their hearts… This was their confession: they could not judge the claims of a man who said he had a mission from God, because they could not say whether John was a prophet or not.