Mark 11:33

Translations

Modern

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

Traditional

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.

Literal

And answering Jesus, they say, “We do not know.” And Jesus says to them, “Neither do I tell you by what authority I do these things.”

Latin

Et respondentes dicunt Jesu: Nescimus. Et respondens Jesus ait illis: Neque ego dico vobis in qua potestate hæc faciam.

Interlinear

Greek

English

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

Notes

Mark 11:33

We do not 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. This response showed the Jewish leaders were not fit to lead on this issue. Their stubbornness, lack of desire to understand, and refusal to accept the truth made further discussion without purpose (3:5; 7:6; 4:12).

God's judgment would come within that very generation (13:30) because of:

their spiritual blindness and opposition toward God's servants, John the Baptist and Jesus,
their lack of respect for the temple, and
their plot to kill Jesus.

Mark 11:27–33

Jesus cleansed the temple (11:15–17; Matthew 21:12–22; Luke 19:45–46). Then his opponents questioned his authority to do so (see also Matt 21:23–27; Luke 20:1–8; compare John 2:18–22).

Theme notes and profiles

John the Baptist

Events

Related verses

Isaiah 6:9–10
And He replied: “Go and tell this people, ‘Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving.’
2 Thessalonians 2:10–12
…and with every wicked deception directed against those who are perishing, because they refused the love of the truth that would have saved them.
2 Corinthians 4:3–4
And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing.
Isaiah 42:19–20
Who is blind but My servant, or deaf like the messenger I am sending? Who is blind like My covenant partner, or blind like the servant of the LORD?
Job 5:13
He catches the wise in their craftiness, and sweeps away the plans of the cunning.
Isaiah 56:10
Israel’s watchmen are blind, they are all oblivious; they are all mute dogs, they cannot bark; they are dreamers lying around, loving to slumber.
2 Corinthians 3:15
And even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts.
Proverbs 26:4–5
Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you yourself will be like him.
Jeremiah 8:7–9
Even the stork in the sky knows her appointed seasons. The turtledove, the swift, and the thrush keep their time of migration, but My people do not know the requirements of the LORD.
John 9:27
He replied, “I already told you, and you did not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you also want to become His disciples?”
Matthew 16:4
A wicked and adulterous generation demands a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah.” Then He left them and went away.
Isaiah 29:9–14
Stop and be astonished; blind yourselves and be sightless; be drunk, but not with wine; stagger, but not from strong drink.

Parallels

Matthew 21:23–27 Luke 20:1–8

People

Jesus: The Son of God and Savior of the world

Glossary

Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Mark, Gospel of

Topics

Temple: Herod the Great's Temple: Jesus Teaches In

Mark 11:33

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Translations

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Events

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Glossary

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