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MATTHEW 21:23 — KING JAMES VERSION 0
Matt 21:22Matt 21:24
“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?”
And when he came into 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? The authority question from the chief priests and elders is the first of the controversy dialogues that dominate the Jerusalem ministry. The temple cleansing and the healings have provoked the religious leadership's demand for authority: by what authority do you do these things?

Church Fathers on Matthew 21:23

The Priests were tormented with jealousy, because they had seen Christ entering the Temple in great glory. And not being able to master the fire of jealousy which burnt in their breasts, they break forth in speech.

Pseudo-Chrysostom · 5th century

Forasmuch as they could not detract from His miracles, they bring matter of blame from His forbidding to sell in the Temple. As though they had said, Hast Thou assumed the seat of authority? Hast Thou been anointed Priest, that Thou exertest this power?

Chrysostom · 4th century

Or in these words they urge the same cavil as above, when they said, 'He casteth out demons through Beelzebub the Prince of the demons.' [Matt 12:24] For when they say, 'By what authority doest thou thee things?' they doubt concerning the power of God, and would have it understood that the things He does are of the Devil. But when they add, 'Who gave thee this authority?' they most clearly deny the Son of God, whom they suppose to work miracles, not by His own, but by others'…

Jerome · 4th century
Read all 9 entries in the readerCatena Aurea · St. Thomas Aquinas, tr. J. H. Newman · public domain
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Matthew 21:23 — Community Reflections | HolyStudy