Mark 11:33 Commentary and Bible Study

‘And they answered and said unto Jesus [these pathetic words], We cannot tell.’ That was not an honest answer. They could tell, or at least they thought they could. Luke tells us, ‘All the people that heard [Christ], and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John. ³⁰ But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him’ (Luke 7:29-30). They had already rejected John’s ministry (Matthew 21:32). The real issue was not that they could not tell, but that they would not tell. We cannot tell whether he was an authentic prophet not. So ‘Jesus answering saith unto them, Neither do I tell you by what authority I do these things.’ The Lord’s answer is a denial but, unlike theirs, it is straightforward – you say you cannot answer me; I say I will not answer you. But it wasn't just a tactic. It was based on the fact that John the Baptist, was the agent of God to commission him and point him out on earth. However, although Christ refused to give it, the answer to their question was obvious. He did all that he did with the authority of heaven, and the chief priests, the Pharisees, and the elders were deeply culpable for rejecting it.In those words they finally forfeited all authority and leadership, and Christ had no obligation to reply or to recognise them at all. He is not trying to avoid saying he is the Messiah; he has just ridden into Jerusalem; he has just represented himself symbolically as the Messiah. He is rejecting them with a full audience and demonstrating that they are not fit to occupy the position they do. They have no faith, no obedience, therefore he refuses to deal with them.