201 And it came to pass, on one of those days, as he is teaching the people in the temple, and proclaiming good news, the chief priests and the scribes, with the elders, came upon 'him', 2 and spake unto him, saying, 'Tell us by what authority thou dost these things? or who is he that gave to thee this authority?' 3 And he answering said unto them, 'I will question you—I also—one thing, and tell me: 4 the baptism of John, from heaven was it, or from men?' 5 And they reasoned with themselves, saying—'If we may say, From heaven, he will say, Wherefore, then, did ye not believe him? 6 and if we may say, From men, all the people will stone us, for they are having been persuaded John to be a prophet.' 7 And they answered, that they knew not whence 'it was', 8 and Jesus said to them, 'Neither do I say to you by what authority I do these things.'
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Luke 20:1-8
Commentary on Luke 20:1-8
(Read Luke 20:1-8)
Men often pretend to examine the evidences of revelation, and the truth of the gospel, when only seeking excuses for their own unbelief and disobedience. Christ answered these priests and scribes with a plain question about the baptism of John, which the common people could answer. They all knew it was from heaven, nothing in it had an earthly tendency. Those that bury the knowledge they have, are justly denied further knowledge. It was just with Christ to refuse to give account of his authority, to those who knew the baptism of John to be from heaven, yet would not believe in him, nor own their knowledge.