27 Jesus and his disciples came again to Jerusalem, and as he was walking in the temple, the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders came to him, 28 and they began saying to him, “By what authority do you do these things? Or who gave you this authority to do these things?”

29 Jesus said to them, “I will ask you one question. Answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things. 30 The baptism of John—was it from heaven, or from men? Answer me.”

31 They reasoned with themselves, saying, “If we should say, ‘From heaven;’ he will say, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ 32 If we should say, ‘From men’”—they feared the people, for all held John to really be a prophet. 33 They answered Jesus, “We don’t know.”

Jesus said to them, “Neither do I tell you by what authority I do these things.”

Mark 11:27-33 - World English Bible

If you ever want to throw off your opponent in a debate, answer a question with a question. Normally, such a tactic is meant to change the subject or the focus of the subject, but, the matter of authority, Jesus addressed his answer within his question about the Baptist. Where did John's authority come from? "Answer that question," Jesus implied, "and you will know where mine came from, too."

The leaders were stumped. If they answered, "from heaven," they would be subject to the Lord's commands of discipleship. If they denied John's authority, they would suffer the wrath of the people. So they opted for ignorance. And Jesus had a way to avoid their trap.

Where does the authority of Jesus come from? Answer that question and you will know whether you are a disciple of his or not.

How can you show the world you are a disciple of Jesus?