Snarky Jesus

[23] And when he entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came up to him as he was teaching, and said, "By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?" [24] Jesus answered them, "I also will ask you one question, and if you tell me the answer, then I also will tell you by what authority I do these things. [25] The baptism of John, from where did it come? From heaven or from man?" And they discussed it among themselves, saying, "If we say, 'From heaven,' he will say to us, 'Why then did you not believe him?' [26] But if we say, 'From man,' we are afraid of the crowd, for they all hold that John was a prophet." [27] So they answered Jesus, "We do not know." And he said to them, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things. Matthew 21:23-27 (ESV)


By what authority? It is a preposterous question. Nicodemus understood that no one could do these works if they were not from God. The Pharisees were trying to trap Jesus. Jesus answers back with pure snark. They want to trap him, and he asks a question that will trap them. Jesus shows little patience. Of course he also knows the Pharisees will finally get what they are asking for, but it will be on his time, not theirs. He sets the terms. In the meantime he’ll just egg them on. The authority by which he does these things is obvious to those who care to know. Go ahead, like Baby Jesus if you want to. My favorite Jesus is snarky Jesus