They returned once more to Jerusalem. As he was walking in the temple area, the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders approached him and said to him, "By what authority are you doing these things? Or who gave you this authority to do them?" Jesus said to them, "I shall ask you one question. Answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things. Was John's baptism of heavenly or of human origin? Answer me." They discussed this among themselves and said, "If we say, 'Of heavenly origin,' he will say, '(Then) why did you not believe him?' But shall we say, 'Of human origin'?" — they feared the crowd, for they all thought John really was a prophet. So they said to Jesus in reply, "We do not know." Then Jesus said to them, "Neither shall I tell you by what authority I do these things." (Mk 11:27-33)
Jesus’ preaching and ministry was always questioned. Those who questioned him were mostly the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders. These were the people who were exercising power and authority. The simple and ordinary people just followed Jesus and never questioned him on his authority.
Authority could come from either God (divine) or from men (human). Those who questioned Jesus always concerned about it and they thought that it was not from God. When he chased the demons they thought that the power was from the head of the demons. They thought that he was doing some magic or so. But they were worried if it was from God.
Authority which Jesus exercised was from God. This was what the people believed. The people saw the miracles which Jesus worked for them and they also heard the teaching and preaching. People were convinced that the authority was from God. The people who were exercising authority (scribes and Pharisees etc) considered Jesus’ authority as a challenge.
