Matthew 21:23
And when he was come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came unto him as he was teaching, and said, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority?
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 29
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐλθόντι
when he was come
G2064
ἐλθόντι
when he was come
Strong's:
G2064
Word #:
2 of 29
to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
αὐτῷ
unto him
G846
αὐτῷ
unto him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
3 of 29
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
εἰς
into
G1519
εἰς
into
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
4 of 29
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἱερὸν
the temple
G2411
ἱερὸν
the temple
Strong's:
G2411
Word #:
6 of 29
a sacred place, i.e., the entire precincts (whereas g3485 denotes the central sanctuary itself) of the temple (at jerusalem or elsewhere)
προσῆλθον
came
G4334
προσῆλθον
came
Strong's:
G4334
Word #:
7 of 29
to approach, i.e., (literally) come near, visit, or (figuratively) worship, assent to
αὐτῷ
unto him
G846
αὐτῷ
unto him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
8 of 29
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
διδάσκοντι
as he was teaching
G1321
διδάσκοντι
as he was teaching
Strong's:
G1321
Word #:
9 of 29
to teach (in the same broad application)
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀρχιερεῖς
the chief priests
G749
ἀρχιερεῖς
the chief priests
Strong's:
G749
Word #:
11 of 29
the high-priest (literally, of the jews; typically, christ); by extension a chief priest
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
12 of 29
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πρεσβύτεροι
the elders
G4245
πρεσβύτεροι
the elders
Strong's:
G4245
Word #:
14 of 29
older; as noun, a senior; specially, an israelite sanhedrist (also figuratively, member of the celestial council) or christian "presbyter"
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
15 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
λαοῦ
of the people
G2992
λαοῦ
of the people
Strong's:
G2992
Word #:
16 of 29
a people (in general; thus differing from g1218, which denotes one's own populace)
λέγοντες
and said
G3004
λέγοντες
and said
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
17 of 29
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
ποίᾳ
what
G4169
ποίᾳ
what
Strong's:
G4169
Word #:
19 of 29
individualizing interrogative (of character) what sort of, or (of number) which one
ἐξουσίαν
authority
G1849
ἐξουσίαν
authority
Strong's:
G1849
Word #:
20 of 29
privilege, i.e., (subjectively) force, capacity, competency, freedom, or (objectively) mastery (concretely, magistrate, superhuman, potentate, token o
ποιεῖς
doest thou
G4160
ποιεῖς
doest thou
Strong's:
G4160
Word #:
22 of 29
to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
23 of 29
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τίς
who
G5101
τίς
who
Strong's:
G5101
Word #:
24 of 29
an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)
ἔδωκεν
gave
G1325
ἔδωκεν
gave
Strong's:
G1325
Word #:
26 of 29
to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
27 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Acts 4:7And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this?Exodus 2:14And he said, Who made thee a prince and a judge over us? intendest thou to kill me, as thou killedst the Egyptian? And Moses feared, and said, Surely this thing is known.Matthew 26:55In that same hour said Jesus to the multitudes, Are ye come out as against a thief with swords and staves for to take me? I sat daily with you teaching in the temple, and ye laid no hold on me.
Historical Context
The Sanhedrin (70 members) controlled temple operations and religious teaching. Only authorized rabbis could teach there—requiring formal training under recognized teachers. Jesus lacked their pedigree (John 7:15), yet taught 'as one having authority' (Matt 7:29). His temple cleansing directly challenged their jurisdiction.
Questions for Reflection
- When people demand credentials instead of evaluating truth claims, what does this reveal about their hearts?
- How do you respond when God's Word challenges your authority or comfortable religious traditions?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The chief priests and the elders came unto him as he was teaching, and said, By what authority doest thou these things?—The Sanhedrin's delegation (ἀρχιερεῖς καὶ πρεσβύτεροι, archiereis kai presbyteroi) demands Jesus's credentials. By what authority (ἐν ποίᾳ ἐξουσίᾳ, en poia exousia) questions His legal right to cleanse the temple and teach.
They rejected Jesus's miracles, fulfillment of prophecy, and divine wisdom—what more authority did they need? Their question was trap-setting, not truth-seeking. They wanted Jesus to claim divine authority explicitly so they could charge Him with blasphemy, or admit He lacked rabbinic credentials so crowds would dismiss Him.