Albert Barnes Commentary Matthew 21:24-25

"And Jesus answered and said unto them, I also will ask you one question, which if ye tell me, I likewise will tell you by what authority I do these things. The baptism of John, whence was it? from heaven or from men? And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say unto us, Why then did ye not believe him?" — Matthew 21:24-25 (ASV)

And Jesus answered, and so forth. Jesus was under no obligation to give them an answer. They knew well by what authority he did this. He had not concealed his power in working miracles and had not kept back the knowledge that he was the Messiah.

He therefore referred them to a similar case—that of John the Baptist. He knew the esteem in which John was held by the people. He took the wise in their own craftiness. Whatever answer they gave, he knew they would convict themselves.

And so they saw, when they looked at the question. They reasoned correctly. If they said, From heaven, he would directly ask why they did not believe him. They professed to hear all the prophets. If they said, Of men, their reputation would be gone, for all the people believed that John was a prophet.

The baptism of John. For an account of this, see Matthew 3. The word baptism here probably includes all his work. This was his principal employment; and hence he was called the Baptist, or the Baptizer. But our Saviour's question refers to his whole ministry: "The ministry of John, his baptism, preaching, prophecies—was it from God, or not?" If it was, then the inference was clear that Jesus was the Messiah; and then they might easily know by what authority he did those things.

From heaven. By Divine authority, or by the command of God.

Of men. By human authority.