"BY WHAT AUTHORITY...?"

The people see Jesus as ‘the prophet of Nazareth’ but the elders are ‘sore displeased’.                                                    Why??  The children acclaim Him as Son of David!         

Next day....                                                   

How about some figs to stave off hunger pains on the way back to the temple - except this tree has none. (Matt 21)          

Here’s what the prophet Hosea recorded:

‘I saw your fathers as the first-ripe in the fig tree at her first time’

Yes, this fig tree should be producing figs on last year’s growth before the new season figs appear, just as today’s fathers should be producing fruit for God.                    

Instead, they confront Jesus...

“By what authority doest thou these things?...”

Doing what?? Teaching the truth!

Jesus answers them with 2 parables – the first about repentance, the second about wicked vineyard managers.

Do the elders repent? 

No, they pronounce their own judgment!

“The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth fruit thereof...”                                                                                                      
Judaism is finished! In fact...                                         
“...whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.”

Whoa! This Man sure means business so don’t dare challenge His authority.