^{27 Ref} 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,

^{28 Ref} and they began saying to him, "By what authority do you do these things? Or who gave you this authority to do these things?"

^{29 Ref} Jesus said to them, "I will ask you one question. Answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things.

^{30 Ref} The baptism of John -- was it from heaven, or from men? Answer me."

^{31 Ref} They reasoned with themselves, saying, "If we should say, 'From heaven;' he will say, 'Why then did you not believe him?'

^{32 Ref} If we should say, 'From men'"--they feared the people, for all held John to really be a prophet.

^{33 Ref} They answered Jesus, "We don't know." Jesus said to them, "Neither do I tell you by what authority I do these things."