Was John's baptism of heavenly or of human origin?
REFLECTIONS TODAY
The religious authorities in Jerusalem—the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders— would claim their authority to serve and to teach in the Temple from Moses, and through him, from God. They are incensed that Jesus cleansed the Temple by driving out those selling and buying there (Mk 11:15).
Instead of answering them—they will not accept his answer, anyhow—Jesus points to the authority of John the Baptist to baptize people in the Jordan.
Here Jesus makes his answer depend on that of the religious leaders of Judaism. Their decision about John will determine their decision about Jesus.
But the counter-question poses a dilemma, the resolution of which would either expose the leaders to the charge of unbelief (if “of heavenly origin”) or discredit them in the eyes of the people who regard John and Jesus as genuine prophets (if “of human origin”).
The answer of the leaders, implying suspended judgment (“We do not know,” v 33) shows that they are neither really concerned about the truth nor ready to face it. Their own interests prevent them from accepting the truth that makes people free.
Gospel • Mark 11:27-33
Jesus and his disciples 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.”
Source: “366 Days with the Lord 2024,” St. Paul’s, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.