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Home Mark 11:27-33 NRSVue

Mark 11:27-33 NRSVue

27Again they came to Jerusalem. As he was walking in the temple, the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders came to him 28and said, “By what authority are you doing these things? Who gave you this authority to do them?” 29Jesus said to them, “I will ask you one question; answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things. 30Did the baptism of John come from heaven, or was it of human origin? Answer me.” 31They argued with one another, “What should we say? If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ 32But shall we say, ‘Of human origin’?”—they were afraid of the crowd, for all regarded John as truly a prophet. 33So they answered Jesus, “We do not know.” And Jesus said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.”

New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition (NRSVUE)

“Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.”

Some thoughts on this scripture

Reflection
Jesus spoke openly to the disciples to help them to understand what he meant but was careful not always to become involved in refined argument. I take care to approach the word of God with reverence not looking for food for thought, not seeking a teaching for others but taking time to listen to Jesus who wants to converse with me.

Reflection
It is for the good of my heart that Jesus speaks to me in my prayer. As I listen for his word I try to allow my heart to receive it, careful not to let my mind get lost in argument our analysis.

Reflection
The Pharisees saw religion as a ground for dispute, challenge and authority. Jesus sees it as being at the service of faith and refuses to be drawn into an argument of the mind. I ask God to help me not to allow my faith to become a matter of argument but to draw me into relationship.

Reflection
Jesus knew that answering the Pharisees’ question would lead only to further debate. I pray for the wisdom to know when, instead of trying to have the last word, it might be better for me to keep silent or to say less.

Reflection
Jesus was challenging the authority of the religious leadership, and they felt threatened, so they decided to confront him. By what authority are you doing these things? Does Jesus and his way of acting and speaking challenge me, or have I grown too used to them? Do I feel he has authority over me, do I resist him?

Reflection
Jesus knew they were not really interested in his answer, so he answered their challenge by challenging them himself. Unfortunately, they were not after the truth but after holding on to their own power. Perhaps I notice the same mechanism in myself, as I seek to justify and rationalise my choices to myself.