King James Bible
"And spake unto him, saying, Tell us, by what authority doest thou these things? or who is he that gave thee this authority?"
The religious leaders confront Jesus directly, demanding an answer. This occurs after Jesus cleanses the temple, challenging their authority over sacred space and commerce. They question the source of Jesus's right to act—specifically his temple cleansing and teaching. In Jewish society, religious authority required either rabbinic ordination or prophetic calling, neither of which Jesus claimed through conventional channels. This follow-up presses for human credentials—which rabbi, school, or official sanctioned Jesus's actions. The question reveals their assumption that legitimate authority must flow through established religious hierarchy, setting up Jesus's later response about John's baptism.