King James Version
Matthew 21:27 in the King James Version says “And they answered Jesus, and said, We cannot tell. And he said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do thes...” — study this verse from Matthew chapter 21 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.
“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.”
Matthew 21:27 · KJV
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?
But if we shall say, Of men; we fear the people; for all hold John as a prophet.
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.
But what think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard.
He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went.
KJV Study — Public Domain
“And”
G2532and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
“they answered”
G611to conclude for oneself, i.e., (by implication) to respond; by hebraism (compare h6030) to begin to speak (where an address is expected)
“Jesus”
G2424jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
“tell”
G1492used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl
“unto them”
G846the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
“And”
G2532and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
“unto them”
G846the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
“tell”
G3004properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
“what”
G4169individualizing interrogative (of character) what sort of, or (of number) which one
“authority”
G1849privilege, i.e., (subjectively) force, capacity, competency, freedom, or (objectively) mastery (concretely, magistrate, superhuman, potentate, token o
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.
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