By what authority are you doing these things? they asked. And who gave you authority to do this? — the authority question is asked twice for emphasis: what authority, and who gave it. The temple cleansing requires authorization: only someone with legitimate authority over the temple can disrupt its operations. The question is designed to force Jesus to either claim divine authority (which could be charged as blasphemy) or acknowledge human authorization (which he cannot demonstrate). It is the same trap structure as the tribute-to-Caesar question.

COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS

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