Definition: And they answered Jesus, and said, We cannot tell. And he said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this passage from Matthew 21:27. It’s a really important part of the story about Jesus' ministry and how he starts to establish his authority. Here’s a simple explanation: The Basic Idea: Jesus is telling his disciples that he has the power to do things like cleanse people, raise the dead, and even change things – all powerful things. He’s saying, “I have this authority.” Let's unpack it word by word: “And they answered Jesus, and said…” - This is just a normal conversation between Jesus and his followers. They’re asking him questions. “…and said, We cannot tell.” – This is the key part. The disciples are saying, “We don't understand what you’re doing!” or “We can’t explain this.” They’re acknowledging that they don’t have a complete understanding of why he’s acting in these ways. “And he said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.” – This is where the real message comes in. Jesus is explaining why he’s doing these things. He's saying: “I don’t tell you because of a rule or law that I was given to me.” What does it mean? It means Jesus is acting on his own free will, not by being told what to do. He’s using his authority – the power he has – to make decisions and act in ways that are beyond human understanding. He’s saying, "I am the one who does this; I have the right to do this." Why is this important? This quote sets the stage for Jesus to become the leader of his followers and to show them that he is not dependent on anyone else to guide him. It's a fundamental statement about his divine authority and power. In short, it’s a declaration of Jesus’ absolute right to act as the one who has this power. --- Do you want me to: Explain another verse from Matthew 21? Discuss what this quote might mean in a broader context (like his ministry)? Give you some related Bible stories or teachings about Jesus’ authority?