Chief priests and scribed as him where he gets his authority.
Mark 11:29 I will also ask of you one question, and answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things.
Mark 11:29 I will ask you one question. Answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things.
NLT Mark 11:29 I’ll tell you by what authority I do these things if you answer one question,
Should I inquire of you a single idea and, should you reply to me, should I also say to you by whose power I perform these things?
We must question ourselves about answering the questions of others.
We see a couple of uncommon words, the "ask" and "answer" here, used only in this exchange.. To me this indicates that these words were used by his challengers, but their words were not recorded (see this article on the Unrecorded Question Theory).
The word translated as "ask" is only used by Jesus in this verse. Since it begins the verse, it looks like this is a question someone asks themselves. It doesn't look like it should be translated as the future tense but in the form of possibility, which is the form of all the other verbs in this sentence. This specific form of a verb (first-perceont, aorist or present tense, subjunctive is known as the deliberative subjunctive at the beginning of a sentence) indicates a question someone asks themselves. Changing this into a question makes everything else in this verse work better. Notice that the final sentence, "I will tell, is the same form and definitely not the future tense.
The word translated as "question" is not "question." It is the word that is usually translated as "word" in the Gospels but that actually means "computation", "reckoning," and "value," but Jesus uses it like we use the word, "idea."
The word translated as "answer" is also an unusual word, used only here and in the next verse. Since it is not the common Greek word translated as "answer," it should be translated differently. This is easy, since in the context of a question, it means "reply to."
Since the verb "do" is often used in as a helper verb in English translation, it is often clearer to translate the Greek verb usually translated as "do" as "perform." In this case, it also works better because "these things" refers both to his miracle and his treaching.
- CW - Confusing Word - This "will" might not indicate the future tense but describe a possibility, the subjunctive voice.
- OS -- Outdated Source -- The Greek word translated as "also" existed in the KJV Greek source but not the source we use today.
- CW --Confusing Word -- This is not the common word usually translated as "ask."
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "question" means "idea."
- MW -- Missing Word -- This verb is a subjunctive, which requires a "should" or "might" when outside of a "when/if/whoever" clause.
- CW --Confusing Word -- This is not the common word usually translated as "answer."
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "will" should be "might" or "should."
- CW - Confusing Word - This "will" might not indicate the future tense but describe a possibility, the subjunctive voice.
- CW --Confusing Word -- This is not the common word usually translated as "ask."
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "question" means "idea."
- MW -- Missing Word -- This verb is a subjunctive, which requires a "should" or "might" when outside of a "when/if/whoever" clause.
- CW --Confusing Word -- This is not the common word usually translated as "answer."
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "will" should be "might" or "should."
- MW - Missing Word -- The pronoun "should I ask" is not shown in the English translation.
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "if" means "and."
- MW - Missing Word -- The adverb "also" is not shown in the English translation.
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "question" means "idea."
- CW --Confusing Word -- This is not the common word usually translated as "answer."
- MW - Missing Word -- The pronoun "to me" is not shown in the English translation.
I -- This is from the first-person, singular form of the verb.
will -- (CW) This assumes that the tense of the verb is the future. However, it seems more likely to the form of possibility because the "answer" verb is in that form. In that case, the word "might" works better. Since the verb begins the sentence, this looks like a question: "Should inquire of you?"
also -- -- (OS) There is nothing in the Greek that can be translated as "also" in the source we use today but it does exist in the source that the KJV translators used.
ask -- (CW) "Ask" is a verb that Jesus only uses here that means "consult", "inquire", "ask", "put a question," and "put a further question." Its form could be the future tense, but it is more likely a form indicating something that might happen. This is not the word usually translated as "ask."
of -- This is from the prefix of the verb, which means "out of" or "of."
you -- The "you" here is the second-person, plural, pronoun, in the form of an object.
one -- The Greek word translated as "one " means "one" (as opposed to other numbers), "single," and "one and the same." This is the noun form, not the adjective form.
question, -- (WW) "Question" is translated from a Greek word that means "calculation," or "reasoning." It is often translated as "word' in the Gospels. It is the source of our word "logic" and is the root word for all the English words that end in "-ology." Most biblical translations translated it as "word" for somewhat poetic reasons. More about this word in this article. In English, we would say "idea" to describe it. "Question" might be implied by the verb, but this word does not mean question.
and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and", but it also is used to add emphasis ("also").
missing "should" or "might"-- (MW) A helping verb is necessary because the following verb is a verb of possibility, a subjunctive, something that "should" or "might" occur. The helping verb is not needed in a clause beginning with an "if," "when," "whoever" and other conditional clauses.
answer -- (CW) "Answer" is from a very uncommon word for Jesus that means "to set apart", "to mark by a distinctive form", "to distinguish", "to choose", "to exclude", "to reject on examination", "to give an answer to", "to reply to [a question", "to answer charges," and "to defend oneself." In the passive voice and this context, the sense is "reply to" because it refers to a question. This is not the word usually translated as "answer."
me, -- The "me" is in the indirect object form on the first-person pronoun, so usually "to me", though the form has other uses in Greek.
and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and", but it also is used to add emphasis ("also").
I -- This is from the first-person, singular form of the verb.
will -- (WW) This helping verb "will" does not indicate the future tense. The following verb describes a possibility, the subjunctive voice. A "might" or "should" in English is more appropriate. Helping verbs are not needed in Greek since the main verb carries this information in its form.
tell -- "Tell" is from the Greek verb that means "to say" and "to speak" also. The abbreviated form used, however, is uncommon for Jesus.
you -- The Greek pronoun "you" here is plural and in the form of an indirect object, "to you", "for you", etc.
by -- The word translated as "by" means "in," "within," "with" (an instrument), "by" (near), "by" (means of), "during" (time), or "among" with a dative object as the one here.
what -- The Greek word translated as "what" means "of what kind", "whose", "what," and "which."
authority -- The term translated as "authority" isn't the "power" of skill or energy but of authority, control, and the ability to choose.
I -- This is from the first-person, singular form of the verb.
do -- The Greek word translated as "to do" has the primary meaning of "making" or producing" something or "causing" or "performing" as service. It describes a productive action. It is not as broad a word as the English "do", which covers all actions, productive or not.
these -- The "this" is a pronoun that can mean "this" or "that," the nearer or the further depending on usage.
things. -- This is from the plural, neutral form of the previous adjective.
I -- This is from the first-person, singular form of the verb.
will -- (CW) This assumes that the tense of the verb is the future. However, it seems more likely to the the form of possibility because the "answer" verb is in that form. In that case, the word "might" works better. The KJV also uses this word to translate the verb meaning to "want" or "to desire."
ask -- (CW) "Ask" is a verb that Jesus only uses here that means "consult", "inquire", "ask", "put a question," and "put a further question." Its form could be the future tense, but it is more likely a form indicating something that might happen. This is not the word usually translated as "ask."
you -- The "you" here is the second-person, plural, pronoun, in the form of an object.
one -- The Greek word translated as "one " means "one" (as opposed to other numbers), "single," and "one and the same." This is the noun form, not the adjective form.
question, -- (WW) "Question" is translated from a Greek word that means "calculation," or "reasoning." It is often translated as "word' in the Gospels. It is the source of our word "logic" and is the root word for all the English words that end in "-ology." Most biblical translations translated it as "word" for somewhat poetic reasons. More about this word in this article. In English, we would say "idea" to describe it. "Question" might be implied by the verb, but this word does not mean question.
missing "and " -- The untranslated Greek word "and" is used as the conjunction "and", but it also is used to add emphasis ("also").
missing "should" or "might"-- (MW) A helping verb is necessary because the following verb is a verb of possibility, a subjunctive, something that "should" or "might" occur. The helping verb is not needed in a clause beginning with an "if," "when," "whoever" and other conditional clauses.
answer -- (CW) "Answer" is from a very uncommon word for Jesus that means "to set apart", "to mark by a distinctive form", "to distinguish", "to choose", "to exclude", "to reject on examination", "to give an answer to", "to reply to [a question", "to answer charges," and "to defend oneself." In the passive voice and this context, the sense is "reply to" because it refers to a question. This is not the word usually translated as "answer."
me, -- The "me" is in the indirect object form on the first-person pronoun, so usually "to me", though the form has other uses in Greek.
and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and", but it also is used to add emphasis ("also").
I -- This is from the first-person, singular form of the verb.
will -- (WW) This helping verb "will" does not indicate the future tense. The following verb describes a possibility, the subjunctive voice. A "might" or "should" in English is more appropriate, but is assumed in an "if/when/whoever/except" clause. Helping verbs are not needed in Greek since the main verb carries this information in its form.
tell -- "Tell" is from the Greek verb that means "to say" and "to speak" also. The abbreviated form used, however, is uncommon for Jesus.
you -- The Greek pronoun "you" here is plural and in the form of an indirect object, "to you", "for you", etc.
by -- The word translated as "by" means "in," "within," "with" (an instrument), "by" (near), "by" (means of), "during" (time), or "among" with a dative object as the one here.
what -- The Greek word translated as "what" means "of what kind", "whose", "what," and "which."
authority -- The term translated as "authority" isn't the "power" of skill or energy but of authority, control, and the ability to choose.
I -- This is from the first-person, singular form of the verb.
am -- This is from the present tense of the verb. It is used here to form the present, progressive tense, which doesn't exist in Greek but which can smooth the flow of English sentences.
doing -- The Greek word translated as "to do" has the primary meaning of "making" or producing" something or "causing" or "performing" as service. It describes a productive action. It is not as broad a word as the English "do", which covers all actions, productive or not.
these -- The "this" is a pronoun that can mean "this" or "that," the nearer or the further depending on usage.
things. -- This is from the plural, neutral form of the previous adjective.
NLT
Missing "should I ask" -- (CW) "Ask" is a verb that Jesus only uses here that means "consult", "inquire", "ask", "put a question," and "put a further question." Its form could be the future tense, but it is more likely a form indicating something that might happen. This is not the word usually translated as "ask." It is in the form of a question and begins the verse.
I -- This is from the first-person, singular form of the verb.
'll -- (CW) This assumes that the tense of the verb is the future. However, it seems more likely to the the form of possibility because the "answer" verb is in that form. In that case, the word "might" works better. The KJV also uses this word to translate the verb meaning to "want" or "to desire."
tell -- "Tell" is from the Greek verb that means "to say" and "to speak" also. The abbreviated form used, however, is uncommon for Jesus.
you -- The "you" here is the second-person, plural, pronoun, in the form of an object.
by -- The word translated as "by," with the accusative object, it means "into," "on," and "for."
what -- The Greek word translated as "what" means "of what kind", "whose", "what," and "which."
authority -- The term translated as "authority" isn't the "power" of skill or energy but of authority, control, and the ability to choose.
I -- This is from the first-person, singular form of the verb.
do -- The Greek word translated as "to do" has the primary meaning of "making" or producing" something or "causing" or "performing" as service. It describes a productive action. It is not as broad a word as the English "do", which covers all actions, productive or not.
these -- The "this" is a pronoun that can mean "this" or "that," the nearer or the further depending on usage.
things. -- This is from the plural, neutral form of the previous adjective.
if -- (WW) The Greek word translated as if means "and" used as the conjunction "and", but it also is used to add emphasis ("also").
you -- The Greek pronoun "you" here is plural and in the form of an indirect object, "to you", "for you", etc.
missing "also" -- (MW) The untranslated Greek word "and" is used as the conjunction "and", but it also is used to add emphasis ("also").
answer -- (CW) "Answer" is from a very uncommon word for Jesus that means "to set apart", "to mark by a distinctive form", "to distinguish", "to choose", "to exclude", "to reject on examination", "to give an answer to", "to reply to [a question", "to answer charges," and "to defend oneself." In the passive voice and this context, the sense is "reply to" because it refers to a question. This is not the word usually translated as "answer."
one -- The Greek word translated as "one " means "one" (as opposed to other numbers), "single," and "one and the same." This is the noun form, not the adjective form.
question, -- (WW) "Question" is translated from a Greek word that means "calculation," or "reasoning." It is often translated as "word' in the Gospels. It is the source of our word "logic" and is the root word for all the English words that end in "-ology." Most biblical translations translated it as "word" for somewhat poetic reasons. More about this word in this article. In English, we would say "idea" to describe it. "Question" might be implied by the verb, but this word does not mean question.
missing "to me" -- (MW) The "me" is in the indirect object form on the first-person pronoun, so usually "to me", though the form has other uses in Greek.
Ἐπερωτήσω [1 verse]( verb 1st sg aor subj act or verb 1st sg fut ind act ) "I will ask" is from eperatoa, which means "consult", "inquire", "ask", "put a question," and "put a further question."
ὑμᾶς [210 verses](pron 2nd pl acc) "You" is humas which is the plural objective form of the second-person pronoun, "you."
ἕνα [85 verses](noun sg masc acc) "One" is heis, which means "one" (as opposed to other numbers), "single," and "one and the same." This noun/adjective is irregular, having a number of forms depending on gender and case. It is always singular.
λόγον,[80 verses]( noun sg masc acc ) "Question" is logos, which means "word," "computation," "relation," "explanation," "law," "rule of conduct," "continuous statement," "tradition," "discussion," "reckoning," "reputation" (when applied to people), and "value."
καὶ [1089 verses](conj/adv) "Also" is kai, which is the conjunction joining phrases and clauses, "and," or "also." After words implying sameness, "as" (the same opinion as you). Used in series, joins positive with negative "Not only...but also." Also used to give emphasis, "even", "also," and "just."
ἀποκρίθητέ (2 verses]( verb 2nd pl aor subj pass ) "Answer" is aprokrinomai, which means "to set apart", "to mark by a distinctive form", "to distinguish", "to choose", "to exclude", "to reject on examination", "to give an answer to", "to reply to [a question", "to answer charges," and "to defend oneself." The root is from krinô, which means "separate", "distinguish", "pick out", "choose," 'decide", "decide in favor of", "determine," and "form a judgment."
μοί, [96 verses](pron 1st sg masc/fem dat) "Me" is moi (emoi) , which can be the object of some prepositions and as the object of a verb means "to me" "for me," and "by me.
καὶ [1089 verses](conj/adv) "And" is kai, which is the conjunction joining phrases and clauses, "and," or "also." After words implying sameness, "as" (the same opinion as you). Used in series, joins positive with negative "Not only...but also." Also used to give emphasis, "even", "also," and "just."
ἐρῶ[162 verses] ( verb 1st sg pres subj act ) "I will tell" is eipon, which means "to speak", "to say", "to recite", "to address", "to mention", "to name", "to proclaim", "to plead", "to promise," and "to offer."
ὑμῖν [289 verses](pron 2nd pl dat) "To you" is humin the plural form of su the pronoun of the second person, "you."
ἐν [413 verses](prep) "In" is en, which means, with a dative object, "in," "on," "at," "by," "among," "within," "surrounded by," "in one's hands," "in one's power," "during," and "with." With the accusative, it means "into," "on," and "for." Referring to time, it means. "in the course of" or "during."
ποίᾳ [13 verses](adj sg fem dat ) "What" is from poios, which means "of what kind," "whose," "what," and "which."
ἐξουσίᾳ ( noun sg fem dat ) "Power" is exousia, which means "control", "the power of choice", "permission", "the power of authority", "the right of privilege", "abundance of means," and "abuse of power."
ταῦτα [96 verses](adj pl neut acc) "These things" is tauta, which is a referring pronoun meaning "these," "this," "that," and "here." It can mean the nearer or the further depending on usage
ποιῶ: [168 verses]( verb 1st sg pres ind/subj act) "I do" is poieo, which means "to make," "to produce," "to create," "to bring into existence," "to bring about," "to cause," "to perform," "to render," "to consider," "to prepare," "to make ready," and "to do." The accusative object is what is made. Double accusative is to do something to someone. When it has a genitive object, it means "made from." When it doesn't have an object, the verb is translated as "perform" or simply "do." When used with an accusative infinitive, it means to "cause" or "bring about." A dative object means "made with." With the preposition "into" (eis) it means "made into."
The two key words for "ask" and "answer" begin with contrasting prefixes, epi and apo, meaning "on" and "separation from." The root words mean literally to search with words and to separate out,