Authority Issues Mark 11:27-33

Authority Issues

If you have your Bible and I hope that you do, please turn with me to Mark 11:27-33. We will be jumping back into this Gospel account as we work through this book. Depending on weather and if everything goes to plan, we should finish up Mark at the end of June if the Lord wills it. From there we will go into a short series on Ruth and then into the book of Philippians.

Just to recap where we’ve been since its been over a month since we’ve been in Mark, Jesus has entered Jerusalem and man oh man has it been a ride so far. Jesus enters in this joyful procession where the crowds ask for Jesus to save them! They shout, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” and the next day Jesus curses a fig tree and it withers and dies , then Jesus cleanses the temple by overturning vendors tables and yells at everyone for desecrating the temple through commerce. Instead of it being a place of prayer and worship it became a place of livestock trading and money changing! Jesus isn’t wasting anyone’s time that’s for sure! So the question naturally arises from the religious leaders, “Who allowed you to do this?”

In today’s world we deal with issues of authority. Authority is the power or right to give orders or make decisions. So think about authority for a moment. Does anyone have authority in your life? You might have a boss, right? Bosses make decisions that directly impact you. If they want to go to a new computer program then you have to go along with it. Parents have authority in their children’s lives. Parent’s have the right to tell children to knock out a chore or to hand over their phone. Elected officials are authorities, right? They make decisions that have far reaching consequences for us. For Mark’s audience, authority was an extremely important and sensitive topic. Much of Mark’s audience in Rome were slaves in a society ruled by social status. Of course, we need to include the Lord God as the ultimate authority over us. He literally has determined our days, ordered our steps, and sustains us by the Word of His power. Do you recognize His authority over you or are you like the religious leaders and balk at the authority of Christ? “Who gave you permission to do this?”

Let’s talk about authority today and especially the authority of Jesus Christ as we read Mark 11:27-33. READ. PRAY.

“And they came again to Jerusalem. And as he was walking in the temple, the chief priests and the scribes and the elders came to him, and they said to him, “By what authority are you doing these things, or who gave you this authority to do them?”

Jesus said to them, “I will ask you one question; answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things. Was the baptism of John from heaven or from man? Answer me.” And they discussed it with one another, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ 

But shall we say, ‘From man’?”—they were afraid of the people, for they all held that John really was a prophet. So they answered Jesus, “We do not know.” And Jesus said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.”

Mark reemphasizes the centrality of Christ being in Jerusalem. This is the fourth time in chapter 11 that Mark emphasizes the fact that they are in Jerusalem. Jesus has arrived at His goal. His purpose. From Caesarea Philippi He fixed His eyes on Jerusalem and traveled and healed and taught for six months on the way south to this location.

And for the fifth time in this chapter, Mark emphasizes the setting: the Temple. The Temple was the central place of worship for the Jews in the ancient world and it was led by three major groups: Priests, scribes and influential laymen called elders. These three groups composed the Sanhedrin, the 70-member ruling Jewish council. These are the three groups that have questioned, antagonized, and resisted Jesus throughout all of His and John the Baptist’s ministries. Jesus had prophesied that it is this group of men that will crucify Him. Mark 8:31

Mark 8:31 ESV

And he began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes and be killed, and after three days rise again.

Mark 10:33 ESV

saying, “See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death and deliver him over to the Gentiles.

And we see most recently in Mark 11:18

Mark 11:18 ESV

And the chief priests and the scribes heard it and were seeking a way to destroy him, for they feared him, because all the crowd was astonished at his teaching.

So these are bad men. They are ungodly and hateful. They’re not seeking truth and really trying to find our what Jesus was up to, they’re seeking for a way to kill Him. What is Jesus doing in the temple before approached by this group? He’s walking around it. The day before He had cleansed the temple of all the traders and livestock. He isn’t afraid any repercussions at all. This is a clash of authority and this is a continuation of conflicts that began way back in Mark 3:22

Mark 3:22 ESV

And the scribes who came down from Jerusalem were saying, “He is possessed by Beelzebul,” and “by the prince of demons he casts out the demons.”

So if you’re taking notes write down this first point is The Challenge to Christ’s Authority. These men gather to ask Jesus Mark 11:28 “By what authority are you doing these things, or who gave you this authority to do them?” The biggest concern that these men have is about authority. That word in the Greek is exousia which is the noun of exesti. It means permission, right, liberty, power to do something. Paul uses this phrase to describe the authority given to him by the chief priests to persecute Christians in Acts. Exesti and exousia combine the two ideas of who gave you the right and what gives you might to do these things?

What things? The cleansing of the temple of course! Jesus is cutting into these mens profits because they got a percentage of the cut from all of the trade occurring in the temple. So the questions that these men are asking are not authentic, searching questions but non-questions. The implicit answer to their question is “Not us”. They are seeking to undermine Jesus Christ who is the ultimate authority.

You see, they dont know it yet but, Jesus is God Almighty! In John, He identifies Himself as “I Am” which leads to the Jews attempting to kill Him. Listen to how the psalmist describes the extent of God’s kingdom authority. Psalm 103:19 “The Lord has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all.” Jesus is the one that rules and reigns. There is no throne higher than our God’s! God’s kingdom rules over all. This means that there is nothing that occurs outside His permissive will. And He reigns from on high with glory and power and wisdom and might. The audacity of these men to try and exert any kind of authority over their Lord! He’s the one that gave them the Law! He sent the prophets! He led them out of Egypt! Just like their forefathers, they knew neither the power or love of God.

Psalm 89:14 “Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; steadfast love and faithfulness go before you.” This is the kind of ruler that Jesus is. Jesus is righteous. This means that everything that our King does is good! No one can look at Jesus and accuse Him of wrongdoing. He is good and always good. Jesus is a just king. This tells us that He is fair and unchanging in His judgments. He is steadfast and solid. His commands aren’t burdensome, but they’re set upon a foundation of love and faithfulness which proves that He never changes in His loving attitude toward us. This is the king these men are approaching and accusing.

Imagine a king that holds absolute authority over His kingdom. Every law, every decision, and every action flows from His decree. Yet, unlike earthly kings who can be fallible, Christ’s authority is perfect, just, and eternal. Matthew 28:18 declares, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” His rule extends over all creation, from the smallest sparrow to the highest star, and we can trust His reign completely.

In Mark 4:35-41, Jesus calms the storm with a simple command: “Peace! Be still!” The disciples marvel, asking, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” This illustrates His authority over nature. When the chaos of life feels overwhelming, we can rest in the truth that Christ’s word holds power over every storm, both literal and metaphorical storms.

A general in the military commands troops, but even the most powerful general’s authority is limited to their army. Christ, however, is the Supreme Commander of heaven and earth. In Matthew 8:8-10, the centurion recognizes Jesus’ authority, comparing it to his own over soldiers, but acknowledges that Jesus’ power extends beyond human capability—He heals with a word. Christ’s authority is unmatched and extends to all realms, visible and invisible.

An artist has authority over their painting—they decide every stroke, color, and detail. Similarly, Christ has authority because He is the Creator. John 1:3 says, “All things were made through him.” Everything in creation belongs to Him, and He has the right to govern it. When we acknowledge His authority, we submit to the One who knows us completely and designs all things for His glory and our good.

Imagine a courtroom where the judge has both the knowledge of the law and perfect insight into every case. Christ is the ultimate Judge with authority to execute justice (John 5:22). Unlike human judges, He sees the heart and knows every motive. His authority ensures that justice will ultimately prevail, offering both accountability and hope to the world.

A shepherd’s voice carries authority for the sheep because they know and trust him. In John 10:27-28, Jesus says, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” His authority is not oppressive but loving, guiding His people into safety and eternal life. His leadership reminds us that His authority is both powerful and compassionate, ensuring we are never without care.

I could continue on and on. But, do you believe that Jesus Christ has authority? What about all authority over you? Be careful, because if you believe that then it requires change in your life! It means that you believe your time is under His authority. Your resources are all His. What you do professionally is His. If we believe that Christ is our ultimate authority then it should impact our homes, relationships, and actions.

Or are you more like the religious leaders that resist Christ’s rightful authority? If God’s Word says to spend your time in certain ways and you reject it— does that sound like “Who gave you this authority?” If God’s Word instructs us to avoid certain sins and to do certain things and you continue, does that sound like “By what authority do you have?”

Jesus asks A Counter Question. The first question was designed to shame Jesus and make Him submit. Jesus’ question is designed to reveal their lack of authority in face of God and it is a conditional question. Jesus’ answer of a question with a question is a common rabbinic teaching tool. The if, then… style demonstrates that if they can answer this question, then they will receive their answer. Jesus graciously designs the question in such a way that His answer depends on theirs. In other words, their decision about John’s ministry will determine their decision about Him.

The question is Mark 11:30 “Was the baptism of John from heaven or from man? Answer me.”” Notice the strong command of an authoritative questioner. “Answer me.” The question that Christ asks demands an answer. We began our series a year ago emphasizing the truth that you must do something with Jesus Christ. This question from Christ is not a false dichotomy. It is either or. Either John’s baptism was from heaven, meaning from God Himself, or from man which carries absolutely zero authority.

You see, Jesus is shifting the focus to the leader’s failure to discern divine authority. Jesus never claimed to be sent by anyone but the Father. Jesus wasn’t a disciple of any of the prestigious rabbis. He never taught in anyone’s name but His own. “You have heard it said, but I say to you…” It is this failure to see or admit that condemns these men. In fact, they think that the question is a trap and in some ways it is, but it is a trap of God’s love to show them that He is the Messiah.

The right answer is that John’s authority was from God. Matthew 3:3 “For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah when he said, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; make his paths straight.’ ”” John 1:29 “The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” John’s ministry was given by God’s grace to prepare the way for Christ’s ministry. His baptism was a baptism of repentance that had far reaching influence. Later, in the book of Acts there is a man named Apollos that was taught about the baptism of John and Priscilla and Aquila explained the truth of Jesus Christ and Apollos became very influential in the early church.

But it is by rejecting John the Baptist that the leaders rejected God’s plan of salvation. Are you willing to recognize the authority of God as revealed in His Word? I sure hope so! No one can be a growing, maturing believer without submission to God’s Word.

The third point is The Leaders Ignorance. Look at their debate. Mark 11:31–32 “And they discussed it with one another, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ But shall we say, ‘From man’?”—they were afraid of the people, for they all held that John really was a prophet.” They’re not really concerned with what’s true or false here. If they were seeking truth they would ask about John’s baptism and message, not what others say about him. They’re concerned with what’s safe or unsafe! What will give them victory in debate in the very public area that they are in, rather than what will give them truth as the outcome.

Note that if John’s baptism is from man then John’s message was false and He was a false prophet with a false Gospel and Christ has false authority. At best Jesus could be considered a con-man. But if John’s baptism was from heaven, that means that John’s message was from God and was truth which means there’s a true Gospel and that Christ has true authority which these men have been resisting for years. R Alan Cole writes, “The root of the trouble lay not in their intellect, but in their stubborn wills: they stood self-condemned… it was yet another opportunity for them to realize and confess their blindness, and to ask for sight. Theirs was the unforgivable sin, that constant wilful opposition and blindness that is the sin against the Holy Spirit.”

True spiritual authority comes from God’s Word and God’s Spirit. Not human traditions or political influence. People want God! They want truth! They’re starving for authoritative teaching, not wishy-washiness! Give people Christ! Show them Jesus! Point them to the true authority in this world! We are people of the Word and we must choose, are we seeking and sharing God’s truth or relying on worldly wisdom for authority?

The chief priests, scribes and elders consider their options and choose a third one: “We don’t know.” They plead ignorance to the question! How on earth can they be the nation’s spiritual leaders with authority if they can’t discern spiritual matters? They would rather suffer the humiliation of ignorance than humble themselves before God! This is an ongoing issue in Israel’s history. In the book of Jeremiah, God constantly criticizes His people because of their willful ignorance. That’s what these leaders are doing right? Listen to Jeremiah 5:21-22

Jeremiah 5:21–22 (ESV)

“Hear this, O foolish and senseless people, who have eyes, but see not, who have ears, but hear not. Do you not fear me? declares the Lord.

They don’t want to acknowledge God’s authority or understand it at all. Christ accused the Pharisees of the same thing. But they have eyes, but there’s a veil over their hearts. They have ears, but their ears stop up the ability to understand. They can read the signs of the times but they’re foolish and senseless and have no fear of God.

Jeremiah 6:10 ESV

To whom shall I speak and give warning, that they may hear? Behold, their ears are uncircumcised, they cannot listen; behold, the word of the Lord is to them an object of scorn; they take no pleasure in it.

Look at these unbelieving people! Their hearts are hardened toward God, His Word, and His authority. They hate it! It’s true of this group. They understand the Word in the same way the lost misunderstand the Word with uncircumcised ears. They hear it, but don’t understand it! Stephen said the same thing right before they killed him in Acts 7:51–53

Acts 7:51–53 ESV

“You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you. Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who announced beforehand the coming of the Righteous One, whom you have now betrayed and murdered, you who received the law as delivered by angels and did not keep it.”

This just underscores their refusal to listen to God’s Word and their choice is to pursue idolatry. The choice of the Jewish leaders here is the same. To reject the Lord Jesus Christ is idolatry. To reject His authority is treasonous. They know the Word. They’ve seen the signs. They’ve heard testimony of the miracles. They’ve seen Jesus’ life for three and a half years and they want to destroy Him because they hate God and they hate God because they’re ignorant of Him. This is the biggest danger of ignorance, a rejection of Christ, and it’s disastrous.

A man once hired a builder to construct a house but later discovered that the builder had never made anything nor studied it. When a storm came it was destroyed. Proverbs 24:3-4

Proverbs 24:3–4 ESV

By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established; by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches.

In the Middle ages, scientists believed that illnesses were caused by bad air. Because of this, they ignored good hygiene and the presence of germs that could have been washed away with soap and water caused an untold number of deaths. Understanding is crucial to thriving and a lack of it causes tremendous harm. These men, instead of say, “We’re not sure, can you teach us?” Simply viewed Jesus through the worst possible lens and rejected Him in their ignorance.

So because of their lack of an answer Christ responds in kind. The Silent Rebuke. Jesus refuses to answer their insincere question, effectively silencing their challenge. His authority stands unshaken, requiring no validation from human institutions. Jesus affirms this in John 19:10-11

John 19:10–11 ESV

So Pilate said to him, “You will not speak to me? Do you not know that I have authority to release you and authority to crucify you?” Jesus answered him, “You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above. Therefore he who delivered me over to you has the greater sin.”

The issue of the authority of Christ hasn’t been settled. In fact, over the next weeks, we will see more conflict over the issue of authority. But for today I have to ask what do you think about the authority of Christ? I believe Christ’s authority requires our submission, not our debate. So are you living in obedience to Him? Are you walking with Jesus? Jesus’ authority is rooted in Who He is. He is the eternal God made flesh. He knows where He came from, and what will happen. He has decreed creation from the beginning and has all the rights and privileges of being God Almighty because He is.

Head: God wants you to know that Jesus has all authority. As the Great Commission says, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me”. Jesus Christ is the supreme Master and Commander of our lives. He rules is and reigns over it. So submit to Him.

Heart: God wants you to believe that you must orient your life around His authority. Don’t be like the chief priests, scribes and elders that resist Jesus. But in humble submission, revere Him as Lord and God!

Hand: God wants you to consider if there are things in your life that you need to repent of and change. Whatever that is is between you and the Lord! Ask Him and read the Word. He will give you the answer you need.