Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Mark 11:29

"And Jesus said unto them, I will ask of you one question, and answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things." — Mark 11:29 (ASV)

As Jesus often did, he answered a question by asking another one: whether John’s mission (expressed by the word “baptism”) was from God (“heaven”) or from humans. The question was particularly appropriate for the situation. John had clearly testified to the divine source of Jesus’ mission. If they recognized the divine authority of John’s mission, they would be forced to recognize Jesus’ mission also and his cleansing of the temple as the legitimate exercise of his authority.