Matthew 21:23-32
These verses contain a conversation between our Lord Jesus Christ and the chief priests and elders of the people. Those bitter enemies of all righteousness saw the sensation which the public entry into Jerusalem, and the cleansing of the temple, had produced. At once they came about our Lord, like bees, and endeavoured to find occasion for an accusation against Him.
Let us observe in the first place how ready the enemies of truth are to question the authority of all who do more good than themselves. The chief priests had not a word to say about our Lord’s teaching: they made no charge against the lives or conduct of Himself or His followers. The point on which they fastened is His commission: “By what authority doest Thou these things? And who gave Thee this authority?”