King James Version

What Does Matthew 21:23 Mean?

Matthew 21:23 in the King James Version says “And when he was come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came unto him as he was teaching, a... — study this verse from Matthew chapter 21 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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?

Matthew 21:23 · KJV


Context

21

Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done.

22

And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.

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?

24

And Jesus answered and said unto them, I also will ask you one thing, which if ye tell me, I in like wise will tell you by what authority I do these things.

25

The baptism of John, whence was it? from heaven, or of men? And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say unto us, Why did ye not then believe him?


Commentary

KJV Study 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.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural 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.

Reflection Questions

  1. When people demand credentials instead of evaluating truth claims, what does this reveal about their hearts?
  2. How do you respond when God's Word challenges your authority or comfortable religious traditions?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 29 words
καὶ1 of 29

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἐλθόντι2 of 29

when he was come

G2064

to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

αὐτῷ3 of 29

unto him

G846

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

εἰς4 of 29

into

G1519

to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases

τὸ5 of 29
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἱερὸν6 of 29

the temple

G2411

a sacred place, i.e., the entire precincts (whereas g3485 denotes the central sanctuary itself) of the temple (at jerusalem or elsewhere)

προσῆλθον7 of 29

came

G4334

to approach, i.e., (literally) come near, visit, or (figuratively) worship, assent to

αὐτῷ8 of 29

unto him

G846

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

διδάσκοντι9 of 29

as he was teaching

G1321

to teach (in the same broad application)

οἱ10 of 29
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἀρχιερεῖς11 of 29

the chief priests

G749

the high-priest (literally, of the jews; typically, christ); by extension a chief priest

καὶ12 of 29

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

οἱ13 of 29
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

πρεσβύτεροι14 of 29

the elders

G4245

older; as noun, a senior; specially, an israelite sanhedrist (also figuratively, member of the celestial council) or christian "presbyter"

τοῦ15 of 29
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

λαοῦ16 of 29

of the people

G2992

a people (in general; thus differing from g1218, which denotes one's own populace)

λέγοντες17 of 29

and said

G3004

properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an

Ἐν18 of 29

By

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

ποίᾳ19 of 29

what

G4169

individualizing interrogative (of character) what sort of, or (of number) which one

ἐξουσίαν20 of 29

authority

G1849

privilege, i.e., (subjectively) force, capacity, competency, freedom, or (objectively) mastery (concretely, magistrate, superhuman, potentate, token o

ταῦτα21 of 29

these things

G5023

these things

ποιεῖς22 of 29

doest thou

G4160

to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)

καὶ23 of 29

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

τίς24 of 29

who

G5101

an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)

σοι25 of 29

thee

G4671

to thee

ἔδωκεν26 of 29

gave

G1325

to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)

τὴν27 of 29
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἐξουσίαν28 of 29

authority

G1849

privilege, i.e., (subjectively) force, capacity, competency, freedom, or (objectively) mastery (concretely, magistrate, superhuman, potentate, token o

ταύτην29 of 29
G3778

the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Matthew. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Matthew 21:23 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Matthew 21:23 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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