^{1 Ref} It happened on one of those days, as he was teaching the people in the temple and preaching the Gospel, that the {TR adds "chief"}priests and scribes came to him with the elders.

^{2 Ref} They asked him, "Tell us: by what authority do you do these things? Or who is giving you this authority?"

^{3 Ref} He answered them, "I also will ask you one question. Tell me:

^{4 Ref} the baptism of John, was it from heaven, or from men?"

^{5 Ref} They reasoned with themselves, saying, "If we say, 'From heaven,' he will say, 'Why didn't you believe him?'

^{6 Ref} But if we say, 'From men,' all the people will stone us, for they are persuaded that John was a prophet."

^{7 Ref} They answered that they didn't know where it was from.

^{8 Ref} Jesus said to them, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things."