Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Mark 11:28

"and they said unto him, By what authority doest thou these things? or who gave thee this authority to do these things?" — Mark 11:28 (ASV)

Jesus and his disciples came to Jerusalem and entered the temple area— the focal point of his ministry while in the city. On this occasion he received opposition from three elements of the Jewish religious establishment: chief priests, teachers of the law, and elders. These groups made up the Sanhedrin, the high court of the Jews. They directed a question to him about the source of his authority “for doing these things” (a reference to his cleansing the temple), hoping that his answer would bring him into disrepute with the people and thereby clear the way for their arresting him.