Matthew 21:27
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.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 20
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἀποκριθέντες
they answered
G611
ἀποκριθέντες
they answered
Strong's:
G611
Word #:
2 of 20
to conclude for oneself, i.e., (by implication) to respond; by hebraism (compare h6030) to begin to speak (where an address is expected)
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἰησοῦ
Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦ
Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
4 of 20
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
Οὐκ
We cannot
G3756
Οὐκ
We cannot
Strong's:
G3756
Word #:
6 of 20
the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not
οἴδαμεν.
tell
G1492
οἴδαμεν.
tell
Strong's:
G1492
Word #:
7 of 20
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl
ἔφη
he said
G5346
ἔφη
he said
Strong's:
G5346
Word #:
8 of 20
to show or make known one's thoughts, i.e., speak or say
αὐτός,
unto them
G846
αὐτός,
unto them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
9 of 20
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
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
10 of 20
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
αὐτός,
unto them
G846
αὐτός,
unto them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
11 of 20
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
λέγω
tell
G3004
λέγω
tell
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
14 of 20
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 #:
17 of 20
individualizing interrogative (of character) what sort of, or (of number) which one
Historical Context
In Jewish legal tradition, witnesses who refused to testify forfeited their right to bring charges. The leaders' claimed ignorance disqualified them as judges of Jesus's authority. Their intellectual dishonesty—obvious to all observers—undermined their credibility while preserving Jesus's teaching authority.
Questions for Reflection
- When have you claimed 'I don't know' to avoid uncomfortable truth you actually recognized?
- How does persistent rejection of clear truth eventually lead to judicial hardening where God withholds further light?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
We cannot tell—The Greek οὐκ οἴδαμεν (ouk oidamen) means 'we don't know'—a lie. They knew but wouldn't admit it. Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things—Jesus honors their choice. Since they refused to acknowledge God's authentication through John, they'd proven themselves incapable of recognizing divine authority in Jesus.
Jesus's refusal wasn't evasion but righteous judgment. He wouldn't cast pearls before swine (Matt 7:6). Those who willfully suppress truth forfeit further revelation. God's authority authenticates itself to honest seekers; it's hidden from those who've hardened their hearts (Matt 13:11-15).