It was not a question of Jesus having authority. Jesus’ authority was obvious after he had cleansed the temple, cured the blind and the lame, and taught about the kingdom of God.
The question of Jesus’ authority was not the real question the chief priests and the elders of the people were asking when they asked Jesus the defining question of the Gospel of Matthew:
“By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?” The real question they were asking Jesus was the question beyond the question. The real question they were asking Jesus was the question beyond the question. The real question they were asking Jesus was how Jesus was using his authority.
To understand the question beyond the question, it is important to know about the authority the chief priests and the elders of the people had,
First, the authority of the chief priests. They were a select group of temple priests who were authorized to administer the temple’s worship, buildings, and finances.
Second, the authority of the elders of the people who were the supreme Jewish legislative and judicial court called the Great Sanhedrin. Convened by the high priest of the temple, the Great Sanhedrin was composed of 71 judges who met in a building called the Hall of Hewn Stones in the temple compound. The Great Sanhedrin had final authority for the political, religious, and judicial welfare of Israel. Convening every day except for religious festivals and the sabbath day, the Great Sanhedrin heard appeals from the 23 tribunals who were present in each city in Israel.
The reason the chief priests and the Sanhedrin asked Jesus about his authority was because they were fearful their authority was being challenged when:
- they heard the crowd shout “Hosanna” (an Aramaic phrase that means, Save, please. Son of David) when Jesus rode a donkey into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday.
- Jesus cleansed the temple by overturning the tables of the money changers who were taking advantage of the poor.
- they asked Jesus in anger, “do you hear what these are saying” as the children identified Jesus as the Son of David.
- they asked Jesus “by what authority are you doing these things and who gave you this authority?”
The Gospel of Matthew was written to answer the question that the chief priests and the Sanhedrin had about Jesus. The first verse of the first chapter of Matthew identifies the authority of Jesus by proclaiming that Jesus is the Messiah promised by God to King David about 1,000 years earlier with these words: “An account of the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah, the son of David …”
Throughout the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus’ authority as the Son of David is affirmed as Jesus’ ministry announces the arrival of the new age of God’ kingdom as Jesus fulfills the prophetic message of Isaiah 35:5-6:
“Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be opened; then the lame shall leap like a deer, and the tongue of the speechless sing for joy.”
- Matthew 9:27-32 records Jesus opening the eyes of two blind beggars who called him Son of David.
- Matthew 12:22-23 records the crowd of Jesus’ followers asking if Jesus could be the Son of David when he cured a demon possessed man who was blind and mute.
- Matthew 15:22-28 records a Canaanite woman recognizing what the chief priests and the Sanhedrin could not as she shouted out to Jesus, “Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David” and pleaded with Jesus to cure her tormented daughter.
- Matthew 21:9 records Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday as the crowd shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven.”
- Matthew 21:15 records the children in the temple recognizing the authority of Jesus as they proclaim that Jesus is the Son of David.
Throughout the Gospel of Matthew, the question that the chief priests and the Sanhedrin ask Jesus is answered as Jesus is affirmed as the Son of David. Throughout the Gospel of Matthew, the question beyond the question that the chief priests and the elders of the people ask Jesus is answered as Jesus challenges the misuse and abuse of power for the advantage of the powerful at the expense of the powerless. It is through his authority as the Son of David, that Jesus responds to the question by the chief priests asking a question that is beyond their question.
“Did the baptism of John come from heaven, or was it of human origin?”
Jesus’ question may seem like an odd response to the question the chief priests and the Sanhedrin asked him, almost an avoidance to their question. Jesus’ response, however, was not an avoidance to their question. Jesus’ answer was an invitation for the chief priests and elders to live in God’s authority. Out of fear for maintaining their authority, the chief priests and the Sanhedrin answered Jesus, “We do not know.”
Jesus’ question beyond the question is also an invitation for us to acknowledge God’s authority for our lives as we proclaim that Jesus is the Son of David. What is your response?
The Question Beyond the Question
by Pastor Marc Brown
October 1, 2023
Accompanying Scriptures: Matthew 21:12-16, 23-27
Fort Hill United Methodist Church
Order of Worship for October 1, 2023
Scripture Lesson Matthew 21:12-16, 23-27
The Good News “The Question Beyond the Question”
Music “Come Christians Join to Sing” Hymn #158
Prayer
Blessing
Closing Music “I Have Decided to Follow Jesus” arr. Mark Hayes
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