Charles Spurgeon Commentary Matthew 21:23

"And when he was come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came unto him as he was teaching, and said, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority?" — Matthew 21:23 (ASV)

Jesus knew that these men came to him for no good purpose, angry that they were so willing only to try and trip him up in his speech. He was always willing to teach when men were willing to learn, but he did not care to cast his pearls before swine. Therefore, mark the holy caution, the sacred ingenuity with which our Lord replied to these men.

Jesus returned to His Father’s house, and there He was again met by His old antagonists. When He came into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to Him. They had rallied their forces and taken time to regain their courage.

They interfered with Him as He was teaching and demanded His authority for what He said and did. He had taken their breath away by His daring cleansing of the temple, unarmed and unaided, and only after a night’s interval did they dare to question His right to act as He had done.

Now they put the question to Him: “By what authority doest thou these things? And who gave thee this authority?” It was admitted that He did marvelous things, but in what official capacity did He act, and who placed Him in that office?

This was carrying the war home. They struck out fiercely at their assailant. They hoped to wound Him on this point and to overcome Him. Poor fools! They were not worthy of an answer from Him.