Who’s in Charge Here?
Today’s reading brought me to Luke 20, where Jesus is questioned by religious leaders about his authority. In Luke 20:2 (NLT), they ask, “By what authority are you doing all these things? Who gave you the right?” The tension is immediate. These leaders hold recognized power within their community, yet here is someone drawing crowds, teaching in the temple, and challenging their influence. It’s easy to see why they would want to know who authorized him.
Answering a Question with a Question
What’s interesting is how Jesus responds. Instead of answering directly, he poses his own question about John the Baptist: “Did John’s authority to baptize come from heaven, or was it merely human?” (Luke 20:4, NLT). This puts the leaders in a difficult position because either answer would trap them. Admitting John’s authority came from heaven would mean acknowledging they had ignored a prophet. Claiming it was merely human would anger the people, who saw John as a prophet. So they choose not to answer, and Jesus, in turn, doesn’t answer their original question.
This exchange feels like a snapshot of a much larger debate about power and legitimacy. Authority isn’t just about holding a title; it’s about perception, tradition, and how people respond to someone’s influence. The religious leaders operated within a formal structure, but Jesus’ authority seemed to come from somewhere harder to pin down—something less official yet deeply compelling to those who heard him.
Authority in Today’s World
How is authority recognized today? We live in a time when expertise can be questioned, and power can shift quickly depending on public opinion. Titles and credentials still matter, but charisma, persuasion, and cultural influence can rival them. The leaders in Luke 20 relied on their positions to assert control, while Jesus challenged them simply by teaching in a way that resonated with the crowds.
The story also highlights the way authority is often defended through questioning. Instead of a conversation aimed at understanding, their questions were more like weapons, designed to discredit. Jesus’ counterquestion doesn’t play into their trap but reveals their fear of losing control. It’s a reminder that dialogue can be used to challenge power structures rather than just share ideas.
The Mystery of True Authority
What I find compelling is how this short interaction captures a struggle over who gets to lead, teach, and shape public thought. It’s easy to imagine this scene happening in other settings: political debates, academic disputes, even workplace dynamics. Authority, whether religious or secular, often requires both recognition from others and a willingness to stand firm when challenged.
This chapter doesn’t spell out where true authority should come from, but it shows how difficult it is to define. The leaders couldn’t answer Jesus without risking their credibility. Jesus didn’t give them the straightforward answer they demanded. Instead, the exchange itself demonstrates that authority is more than a title—it’s something others perceive and respond to, even when they can’t fully explain why.