Mark 11:27-12:17 is all about the issue of authority. Last week we read that Jesus came into the temple, furious that the outer court which was made to be used by all nations seeking to worship God was taken up by God’s own people going about the busy-ness of their own worship and activity. Jesus turned over their tables, drove out the merchants and money changers, and wouldn’t let anyone pass through who wasn’t there to worship. You can imagine how jarring that was for everyone in the temple, so it was probably just as jarring when Jesus strolls back into the temple the next day. As He does so, the highest authorities in the Jewish temple, the chief priests, scribes and elders, confront Jesus about His authority to be doing these things. They set out to trap Jesus in His words that they might be rid of Him, but Jesus responds with questions and parables of His own, avoiding their snares while setting the trap for them.
