Mark 11:27-33 marks the beginning of a series of confrontations between Jesus and Jerusalem’s religious leaders. Jesus had overturned tables and halted temple commerce in a bold act of divine judgment, and returning the next day, a delegation of chief priests, scribes, and elders (three groups that made up the Sanhedrin) confronted Him. Their loaded question—“By what authority do you do these things?”—isn’t curiosity. They are not seeking to be taught or informed. These men have already begun plotting His death (Mark 8:31). The religious leaders knew of His miracles, heard His teaching astonish crowds, and saw demons flee, yet refused to bow. Mark’s Gospel began focusing on Jesus’ authority. The One who has authority to forgive sins, calm storms, and feed thousands now stands in the holy courts, and His authority is challenged by those who should recognize it most. Yet, Jesus exposes the authority to which these religious men submit with a question of His own. Trapped between admitting John the Baptist was sent from God (and thereby admitting Jesus was the Messiah John pointed to) or facing the angry crowds who believed John was from God, they answer, “We don’t know.” The religious leaders, who claimed to represent God, reveal that their true authority is self-preservation, status, and control. Therefore, Jesus leaves them without any explanation. Having rejected the light, they are left in their darkness. This isn’t mere history; it’s a mirror for every heart. It is easy to claim Christ’s authority in theory. Yet, when He enters our “temple" and starts rearranging our priorities, purging idols, or commanding obedience in our lives, we can respond like these religious men: “Who are you to demand this?” All of us live under authority—either Christ’s or our own corrupted version—and Jesus’ word exposes which rules us. A day is coming when every knee will bow, either in saving faith or under wrath. This passage isn’t academic—it’s urgent. Will you submit to the King who cleanses temples and claims lives, or ride the fence like these priests, saying, "We don’t know."
I. Jesus’ Authority Is Challenged (v. 27-28)
II. Jesus Exposes Our Corrupt Authorities (v. 29-33a)
III. Jesus’ Judgment For Rejecting Authority (v. 33)
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Mark 11:27-33 marks the beginning of a series of confrontations between Jesus and Jerusalem’s religious leaders. Jesus had overturned tables and halted temple commerce in a bold act of divine judgment, and returning the next day, a delegation of chief priests, scribes, and elders (three groups that made up the Sanhedrin) confronted Him. Their loaded question—“By what authority do you do these things?”—isn’t curiosity. They are not seeking to be taught or informed. These men have already begun plotting His death (Mark 8:31). The religious leaders knew of His miracles, heard His teaching astonish crowds, and saw demons flee, yet refused to bow. Mark’s Gospel began focusing on Jesus’ authority. The One who has authority to forgive sins, calm storms, and feed thousands now stands in the holy courts, and His authority is challenged by those who should recognize it most. Yet, Jesus exposes the authority to which these religious men submit with a question of His own. Trapped between admitting John the Baptist was sent from God (and thereby admitting Jesus was the Messiah John pointed to) or facing the angry crowds who believed John was from God, they answer, “We don’t know.” The religious leaders, who claimed to represent God, reveal that their true authority is self-preservation, status, and control. Therefore, Jesus leaves them without any explanation. Having rejected the light, they are left in their darkness. This isn’t mere history; it’s a mirror for every heart. It is easy to claim Christ’s authority in theory. Yet, when He enters our “temple" and starts rearranging our priorities, purging idols, or commanding obedience in our lives, we can respond like these religious men: “Who are you to demand this?” All of us live under authority—either Christ’s or our own corrupted version—and Jesus’ word exposes which rules us. A day is coming when every knee will bow, either in saving faith or under wrath. This passage isn’t academic—it’s urgent. Will you submit to the King who cleanses temples and claims lives, or ride the fence like these priests, saying, "We don’t know."
I. Jesus’ Authority Is Challenged (v. 27-28)
II. Jesus Exposes Our Corrupt Authorities (v. 29-33a)
III. Jesus’ Judgment For Rejecting Authority (v. 33)
This Sunday, we’ll continue our journey through the Gospel of Mark, focusing on Mark 9:42-50. This is a challenging passage, but one that speaks powerfully to our call as disciples of Jesus. In the previous passage, the disciples have just been arguing about who was the greatest, and Jesus showed them that whoever would be great must become the servant of all. The disciples’ pride is then displayed further as they reveal they tried to hinder someone from casting out demons in Jesus’ name because he was not part of their group. In verse 41, Jesus said that even one who gives a cup of water to those who follow Him will not lose their reward. Verses 41-50 continue Jesus’ discourse with the disciples and he addresses His disciples with a sobering message about the seriousness of sin and the radical commitment required to follow Him. The passage continues Jesus’ teaching from the end of Mark 8, where He emphasizes that following Him means denying ourselves and taking up our cross. Jesus warns against hindering others—especially fellow believers—from stumbling. Using vivid imagery, He underscores the severe consequences of causing “little ones” who believe in Him to stumble in their faith or obedience. He also calls for drastic action against personal sin, using language like cutting off a hand or eye to illustrate the need to remove anything that leads us away from Him. This isn’t about physical mutilation but about taking sin seriously and pursuing holiness with urgency, recognizing the reality of eternal judgment. Jesus concludes by urging His disciples to be “salted with fire,” living as dedicated sacrifices to God. He calls them to reject pride, embrace humility, and be at peace with one another, reflecting the transformative power of the gospel in their lives. While the passage includes tough topics like hell and the cost of discipleship, it’s ultimately a call to trust the grace of Christ, who transforms us to hate sin and desire Him above all else.
I. Do Not Cause Others to Stumble (v. 42):
II. Do Not Tolerate Sin in Yourself (vv. 43-48):
III. Do Not Lose Your Saltiness (vv. 49-50):
Sermon Audio
Mark 11:27-33 marks the beginning of a series of confrontations between Jesus and Jerusalem’s religious leaders. Jesus had overturned tables and halted temple commerce in a bold act of divine judgment, and returning the next day, a delegation of chief priests, scribes, and elders (three groups that made up the Sanhedrin) confronted Him. Their loaded question—“By what authority do you do these things?”—isn’t curiosity. They are not seeking to be taught or informed. These men have already begun plotting His death (Mark 8:31). The religious leaders knew of His miracles, heard His teaching astonish crowds, and saw demons flee, yet refused to bow. Mark’s Gospel began focusing on Jesus’ authority. The One who has authority to forgive sins, calm storms, and feed thousands now stands in the holy courts, and His authority is challenged by those who should recognize it most. Yet, Jesus exposes the authority to which these religious men submit with a question of His own. Trapped between admitting John the Baptist was sent from God (and thereby admitting Jesus was the Messiah John pointed to) or facing the angry crowds who believed John was from God, they answer, “We don’t know.” The religious leaders, who claimed to represent God, reveal that their true authority is self-preservation, status, and control. Therefore, Jesus leaves them without any explanation. Having rejected the light, they are left in their darkness. This isn’t mere history; it’s a mirror for every heart. It is easy to claim Christ’s authority in theory. Yet, when He enters our “temple" and starts rearranging our priorities, purging idols, or commanding obedience in our lives, we can respond like these religious men: “Who are you to demand this?” All of us live under authority—either Christ’s or our own corrupted version—and Jesus’ word exposes which rules us. A day is coming when every knee will bow, either in saving faith or under wrath. This passage isn’t academic—it’s urgent. Will you submit to the King who cleanses temples and claims lives, or ride the fence like these priests, saying, "We don’t know."
I. Jesus’ Authority Is Challenged (v. 27-28)
II. Jesus Exposes Our Corrupt Authorities (v. 29-33a)
III. Jesus’ Judgment For Rejecting Authority (v. 33)
