Definition: And Jesus answered and said unto them, I also will ask you one thing, which if ye tell me, I in like wise will tell you by what authority I do these things.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Matthew 21:24. It's a really important and slightly mysterious part of the story! Here’s the explanation in simpler terms: Basically, Jesus is telling his disciples that he has the authority to do certain things – like punishing people – and he wants to explain why he does them. Let's unpack it a little bit: “I also will ask you one thing…” - This isn’t just a casual request. Jesus is saying he’s about to give them a specific instruction. “…which if ye tell me, I in like wise will tell you by what authority I do these things.” – This is the core of the verse. He's saying that he has special power or permission to make rules and punishments. He wants to explain how he’s doing it. What does this mean? It suggests a few things: He’s not just following rules: Jesus isn’t just obeying the laws of the kingdom. He's using his authority to enforce justice and maintain order – which is a big deal in the Bible. His authority comes from God: The phrase "by what authority" highlights that this power isn't earned or granted by anyone else. It comes directly from God. In short, it’s a way for Jesus to show us that he has ultimate control over how things are handled, and that his decisions are justified by divine law. --- Do you want me to: Explain why this verse is significant in the Bible? Give you some context about what Jesus was doing at this time?