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They answered Jesus, and said, "We don`t know." He also said to them, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.
Verse Takeaways
1
A Calculated Lie
The religious leaders' claim "We know not" was a deliberate falsehood. Commentators unanimously agree they were caught in a trap. Admitting John the Baptist's authority was from God would force them to accept Jesus' authority, while denying it would enrage the public. They chose to lie, revealing their fear of man and political maneuvering over a love for truth.
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Matthew
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8
18th Century
Presbyterian
We cannot tell. This was a direct falsehood. They could have told; and it should have been, we will not tell. There was no reason…
19th Century
Anglican
We cannot tell — The confession of powerlessness to which the priests and scribes were led was, as has been said, a virtual abdica…
Baptist
He carried the war into the enemy's camp. He answered his accusers by asking them a question which they could not answer in either way without cond…
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The equivocation of the Jewish leaders gives Jesus a reason for refusing to answer their question. The Sanhedrin, of course, were required to check…
17th Century
Reformed Baptist
And they answered Jesus and said, we cannot tell They saw the dilemma they were brought into; they chose rather ther…
As our Lord now openly appeared as the Messiah, the chief priests and scribes were greatly offended, especially because he exposed and removed the …
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13th Century
Catholic
Here, they reprehend by questioning. And firstly, the questioning is related; and secondly, the refutation is related, where it is said,
