Mark 11:28 Meaning and Explanation
“And say unto him, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority to do these things?”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The leaders demand to know by what authority Jesus does these things, and who gave him that authority.
What Does Mark 11:28 Mean?
The question aims at the temple cleansing and everything around it—the royal entry, the teaching, the acclaim of the crowds. The council was the credentialing body for temple affairs, and Jesus holds no office it granted: no scribal ordination, no priestly appointment, no permission of theirs.
It is the right question asked in the wrong spirit; they are gathering grounds for accusation, not seeking truth. Mark's whole Gospel has been answering them: Jesus teaches with authority (Mark 1:22), forgives sins (Mark 2:10), commands sea and storm, unclean spirits, and death itself. His authority is from the Father, declared at his baptism: 'Thou art my beloved Son' (Mark 1:11). Authority in God's house is never self-assumed but given of God (Hebrews 5:4-5)—and Jesus bears it in fullness.
Mark 11:28 in the Original Language
exousia (ἐξουσία), 'authority' -- the rightful power to act; warrant, not mere strength.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mark 11:28
What does Mark 11:28 mean?
The leaders demand to know by what authority Jesus does these things, and who gave him that authority.