Is Spiritual Authority a Thing Anymore? (Mark 11:27-12:12)

In Mark 11:27-12:12 the authority of Jesus is questioned by the Jewish religious leaders. The encounter uncovers the answer to a timeless question: Is spiritual authority a thing anymore?

Q: Is Spiritual Authority a Thing Anymore?

• Today, we’re going to talk about authority. I’ll bet some of you bristled just at the mention of the word. We don’t like authority. We want to push back against it, and sometimes, rightfully so. We live in a broken world filled with fallen people and if someone is asking you to do something contrary to God’s Word, you should push back. But this is much deeper than that. There’s something in our fallen nature that pushes back on any authority, good or bad. “You can’t tell me what to do! You’re not my boss! Who said you were in charge?” - Go to any playground or any backyard where you have a group of kids hanging out and playing together and the odds are pretty good you’re going to hear one of those phrases before too long. 
• We think there is joy in being free from authority. There is joy in being submitted to righteous authority. 
• Psalm 119:1-8 Joyful are people of integrity, who follow the instructions of the Lord.2 Joyful are those who obey his laws and search for him with all their hearts.3 They do not compromise with evil,  and they walk only in his paths.4You have charged us to keep your commandments carefully.5 Oh, that my actions would consistently reflect your decrees!6 Then I will not be ashamed when I compare my life with your commands. 7 as I learn your righteous regulations, I will thank you by living as I should!8.I will obey your decrees. Please don’t give up on me!

What Authority

Jesus answers the question with a question of his own, and within it is a clue to the answer they’re seeking. Jesus’ authority comes from himself, but this authority was affirmed by God the Father and the Holy Spirit at his baptism. Mark 11:27-33

Mark 11:27-28 (NLT) Again they entered Jerusalem. As Jesus was walking through the Temple area, the leading priests, the teachers of religious law, and the elders came up to him. They demanded, “By what authority are you doing all these things? Who gave you the right to do them?”

• Jesus and the disciples are again entering Jerusalem. We see this pattern of spending the day in Jerusalem and then going back to Bethany at night. Jesus has loyal supporters in Bethany. This is where he raised Lazarus from the dead. It’s like having a safe house. There would be plenty of warning from the community if the religious leaders tried to arrest Jesus in Bethany. 
• Jesus isn’t looking to start an argument with the religious leaders. He’s more interested in teaching the people, but the religious leaders seek him out. As he is walking through the temple area, they come to him. You can bet they’ve been waiting for him to show up. They ask, “Who gave you the authority to do these things?” Mark doesn’t say specifically what “things” they’re referring to. Certainly, the clearing of the money changers and the sacrificial animal sellers from the temple had to at least be part of that. It could also include his healings on the Sabbath and other ways he has violated the oral traditions. 
• These three groups mentioned - priests, teachers of the law, and elders - were the three groups that comprised the Sanhedrin. The Sanhedrin had been allowed by the Romans to exercise authority over the Jewish nation in religious matters and some authority in political matters. The religious leaders have been accustomed to having the authority. They viewed this authority as God-given. Even the Roman authorities gave the Jewish leaders much freedom in how they administered religious ceremonies in the temple and the rules and regulations of the temple. 
• (Pillar New Testament Commentary) What the Sanhedrin means by "these things" is not entirely obvious, although it ostensibly points to the preceding clearing of the temple (11:15-19).
• The religious leaders had exercised authority over worship and the temple for generations. Jesus has threatened that, even pushed against it, and they wanted to know what gave him the right to do so. 
• Worldly authority
• In the Temple, most authoritative place
• Among Jewish authorities
• (Pillar New Testament Commentary) The "chief priests, scribes, and elders" were the three groups that comprised the Sanhedrin, although in this instance they represent a delegation from the Sanhedrin rather than the entire council. The Sanhedrin, a buffer organization between Rome and the Jewish nation, was composed of seventy-one members who held near complete freedom in religious matters and restricted power in political matters.

Mark 11:29-30 (NLT) “I’ll tell you by what authority I do these things if you answer one question,” Jesus replied. “Did John’s authority to baptize come from heaven, or was it merely human? Answer me!”

• Jesus answers the question with a question of his own, and within it, is a clue to the answer they’re seeking.. Jesus’ authority comes from himself, but this authority was affirmed by God the Father and the Holy Spirit at his baptism. 
• This isn’t the only time in scripture we see Jesus answer a question with a question. We saw Jesus do it in Mark chapter 10 with the rich young ruler. “Why do you call me good?” In his conversation with Nicodemus in John 3, Nicodemus asks, “How can this be?” Jesus responds, “ You are Israel’s teacher and you do not understand these things? I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things?” 
• Jesus isn’t simply dodging the question. Jesus is trying to get them to recognize the truth in his question. If they say John’s authority came from heaven then they would also have to accept John’s claims about Jesus. John knew Jesus was the Son of God. They can’t say publicly that John’s authority was from heaven or they would have to admit that Jesus’ authority was divine. They couldn’t say that John’s authority was merely human because they were afraid the people would riot. They’re stuck and can’t answer the question either way, so they refuse to answer it. 
• We’ve seen the authority of Jesus on display throughout Mark’s gospel
• Jesus’ divine authority:
• forgives sins (2:10)
• claims supremacy over Torah and Sabbath (2:23—3:6)
• binds Satan, "the strong man" (3:27)
• Countless miracles

(Pillar New Testament Commentary) Ironically, the counter-question contains the seeds of the truth the Sanhedrin hopes to learn, for it was at the baptism by John that the heavens were parted, the Spirit of power descended into Jesus (Gk., eis auton, 1:10), and the voice from heaven declared him God's Son. The baptism of Jesus, in other words, was the event that inaugurated his exousia, his conscious oneness with the Father, and his sovereign freedom and empowerment for ministry.

Mark 11:31-33 (NLT) They talked it over among themselves. “If we say it was from heaven, he will ask why we didn’t believe John. But do we dare say it was merely human?” For they were afraid of what the people would do, because everyone believed that John was a prophet. So they finally replied, “We don’t know.” And Jesus responded, “Then I won’t tell you by what authority I do these things.”

• They weren’t really seeking truth. The question was a loaded question, not one presented because they really wanted to know. They were hoping to use it to trap Jesus or have a reason to accuse him in front of the crowds. 
• Right truth at the right time - sometimes we need to discern if someone asking questions is really seeking truth or just wanting to debate. Asking them questions can be a great way to determine their motives in the conversation. 
• (Pillar New Testament Commentary) To those unwilling to commit themselves, Jesus refuses to commit himself. "'Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.'" Those who cannot be honest with themselves cannot be honest about Jesus.

Wicked Farmers

Jesus uses a parable that is an indictment on the rebelliousness of Israel’s leaders and also foreshadows his death. It is a warning that we should not mistake God’s patience for lack of power or authority. Mark 12:1-8

Mark 12:1 (NLT) Then Jesus began teaching them with stories: “A man planted a vineyard. He built a wall around it, dug a pit for pressing out the grape juice, and built a lookout tower. Then he leased the vineyard to tenant farmers and moved to another country.

• Jesus is speaking to a Jewish audience. They were aware that the vineyard was used in the Old Testament as a picture of Israel. The tenant farmers represented the religious leaders and the vineyard was the nation of Israel as a whole. 
• This was a common practice in Jesus’ day, especially in Galilee. Archaeologists have discovered records of this same sort of dispute between landowners and tenant farmers. 
• (Pillar New Testament Commentary) The parable describes "the kind of thing that went on in Galilee during the half century preceding the general revolt of A.D. 66." Secular records of the day as well as rabbinic literature depict a widespread system of absentee landowners who employed middle-men to supervise tenant farmers.

Mark 12:2-6 (NLT) At the time of the grape harvest, he sent one of his servants to collect his share of the crop. But the farmers grabbed the servant, beat him up, and sent him back empty-handed. The owner then sent another servant, but they insulted him and beat him over the head. The next servant he sent was killed. Others he sent were either beaten or killed, until there was only one left—his son whom he loved dearly. The owner finally sent him, thinking, ‘Surely they will respect my son.’

• This is representative of the many prophets sent by God to warn the nation of Israel. So many of them were mistreated as in the parable. 
• 1 Kings 19:2 Jezebel’s threat to Elijah
• Jeremiah 38:4 threat made against Jeremiah’s life 
• Acts 7:52 - which one of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? They killed those who had previously announced the coming of the righteous one. 
• (Pillar New Testament Commentary) The son represents not only the father's legal claim, however, but also his compassion…. In the story of the sending of the son Jesus is speaking of his own unprecedented role in the history of Israel.

Mark 12:7-8 (NLT) “But the tenant farmers said to one another, ‘Here comes the heir to this estate. Let’s kill him and get the estate for ourselves!’ So they grabbed him and murdered him and threw his body out of the vineyard.

• I read this and I think, ‘how did the land owner not see that coming? Did he really think they would show his son mercy?’. But that’s the point. God sent his Son knowing exactly what would happen. It was his plan all along to redeem us from sin. God knows every sinful act you’ve committed. He even knows the ones you’ve thought about but didn’t carry out. And he still sent Jesus to die for you. 
• Jesus knew the religious leaders were going to kill him. We know from their response they understood he was talking about them. I wonder what that stirred in them. Did it frighten them? Did it make them even more angry? Jesus is sitting there telling them “You’re going to kill me.” But he’s not running. He’s not fearful - because they can only do it because he is voluntarily going to the cross. They’re not doing anything to him that he doesn’t want them to do. 
• (Pillar New Testament Commentary) If the farmers kill the heir, they reason, then they will become the heirs. If humanity can dispense with God, or even kill God, then humanity can become God.

Owner’s Response

God is long suffering, but He is also just. He will bring judgment on sin. We can’t thwart the plans of God. In his sovereignty, He is always going to accomplish his purposes. God was going to use the rejection of the Messiah by the Jewish leaders to usher in salvation for all who would believe - Jew and Gentile. 

Mark 12:9-11 (NLT) “What do you suppose the owner of the vineyard will do?” Jesus asked. “I’ll tell you—he will come and kill those farmers and lease the vineyard to others. Didn’t you ever read this in the Scriptures? ‘The stone that the builders rejected has now become the cornerstone. This is the LORD’s doing, and it is wonderful to see.’”

• It is the Lord’s doing - another testament to the sovereignty of God. God will use the evil intentions of wicked men to accomplish his purposes. How can the conviction of an innocent man be wonderful to see? How can the brutal torture and crucifixion of the perfect Lamb of God be beautiful to see? Because it is God’s doing! It is his plan to conquer sin and death for all who would believe. It is the place in history where God’s mercy and God’s just collide and it is wondrous to see! 
• This passage that Jesus quotes from the Old Testament is from Psalm 118. This is called the Hosannah Psalm. Those worshiping Jesus as he entered into Jerusalem earlier in the week were quoting from this same Psalm. 
• (Pillar New Testament Commentary) Two points are worthy of note so far. First, the landowner takes vengeance not on the vineyard but on the tenants of the vineyard…. Second, the heroic party is not the tenant farmers but the landowner who justly settles accounts.
• (Pillar New Testament Commentary) Only Mark (and the parallel in Matt 21:42), however, includes the subsequent verse: "the Lord has done this and it is marvelous in our eyes" (v. 11 = Ps 118:23). This additional verse rings with a strong providential note, that the human rejection of God's "cornerstone" was not only foreseen but used by God for his glory.
• Enduring Word commentary on Psalm 118:This psalm is the last of the six Egyptian Hallel Psalms, sung in Jesus’ day as part of the Passover ritual. When Matthew 26:30 and Mark 14:26 tell us that Jesus sang a hymn with His disciples at the last supper, it refers to these Hallel Psalms. As Jesus sang the words for His mercy endures forever, He did it with complete knowledge that the endurance of God’s mercy would be tested to the utmost in the work to come the next day at the cross.
• Enduring Word commentary - This is a strong and important statement in the New Testament understanding of the person and work of Jesus. Jesus quoted this of Himself in Matthew 21:42, Mark 12:10-11, and Luke 20:17. Peter quoted it in reference to Jesus in Acts 4:11. Paul alluded to this verse in Ephesians 2:20, and Peter also referred to it in 1 Peter 2:7-8. No text in the Old Testament is quoted more in the New Testament. 
• “Now he is the bond of the building, holding Jew and Gentile in firm unity. This precious cornerstone binds God and man together in wondrous amity, for he is both in one. He joins earth and heaven together, for he participates in each. He joins time and eternity together, for he was a man of few years, and yet he is the Ancient of Days. Wondrous cornerstone!” (Spurgeon)
• Jesus holds it all together. He is at the very foundation of it all. 

Mark 12:12 (NLT) The religious leaders wanted to arrest Jesus because they realized he was telling the story against them—they were the wicked farmers. But they were afraid of the crowd, so they left him and went away.

• The religious leaders are convicted that they are the evil tenants who will kill the Son. Instead of receiving, they reject Jesus. When we come face to face with our own brokenness, we have to make the same decision: Do we receive him or reject him? 
• (Pillar New Testament Commentary) The parable's testimony to the sure purposes of God conveyed a profound sense of hope to Mark's beleaguered church in Rome, so ravished by Nero's insane persecutions, as it can also in our day, when the church (at least in the West) is often caught in compromise and confusion and decline. The existence of the vineyard is assured not by the self-aggrandizement of the tenants, but by the self-sacrifice of the Son.

Close

Jesus has ultimate authority in our lives. Spiritual leadership in the church flows from his authority, and obedience to godly leaders benefits the soul. Hebrews 13:17

• Back to the opening question: Is Spiritual Authority a Thing Anymore?
• The answer is yes. Jesus has ultimate authority. Godly spiritual leaders are those who understand that and speak truth in love.
• Hebrews 13:17 (NLT) Obey your spiritual leaders, and do what they say. Their work is to watch over your souls, and they are accountable to God. Give them reason to do this with joy and not with sorrow. That would certainly not be for your benefit.
• This question about authority is a question we should ask ourselves. Who is calling the shots in our life? Are we submitting to the authority of Jesus as we follow him or are we trying to claim our own authority? How do you respond when God’s Word says something that goes against what you want to do or how you feel about something? Do you submit? Do you rebel?