ACC ~ Mark 11 v27 - 33

OVERVIEW:

Readiness to seek the truth affects its disclosure (BEDE). Lacking faith, the legal experts lacked understanding, however much they might know objectively about the law (TERTULLIAN). Since they answered the truth with a lie, Jesus did not force open the doors they themselves had barricaded (AUGUSTINE).

11:28 | By What Authority?

FEARING THE TRUTH

AUGUSTINE: Fearing a stoning, but fearing more an admission of the truth, they answered the truth with a lie, reminiscent of the Scripture: “injustice has lied within herself.” [1] For they said, “We know not.” And because they had shut themselves up against him, by asserting that they did not know what they knew, the Lord did not open up to them because they did not knock. For it has been said, “Knock and it will be opened to you.” [2] But they not only had not knocked that it might be opened, but by their denial they barricaded the door itself against themselves. And the Lord said to them, “Neither do I tell you by what authority I do these things.” [3] TRACTATE ON JOHN 2.9. [4]

[1] Ps 27:12 (26:12 LXX).

[2] Cf. Mt 7:7; Lk 11:9.

[3] Mt 21:27; Mk 11:33; Lk 20:7.

[4] Cetedoc 0278, 2.9.12; NPNF 1 7:16; FC 78:68*.

11:30 | Was the Baptism of John from Heaven or from Men?

BELIEF AND UNDERSTANDING

TERTULLIAN: The baptism announced by John formed the subject, even at that time, of a question proposed by the Lord himself to the legal experts. It concerned whether John’s baptism was from heaven or from men. [1] They were unable to give a consistent answer. They did not understand because they did not believe. ON BAPTISM 10. [2]

[1] Cf. Mt 21:25-26; Mk 11:30-32; Lk 20:4-7.

[2] Cetedoc 008, 10.5; ANF 3:372-74**.

11:33 | Neither Will I Tell You

READINESS TO SEEK TRUTH AFFECTS ITS DISCLOSURE

BEDE: It is as if Jesus had said: “I will not tell you what I know, since you will not confess what you know.” [1] In this way knowledge is hidden from those who wrongly seek it principally for two reasons: first, when the one who seeks it does not have sufficient capacity to understand what he is seeking for, and second, when through contempt for the truth one is unworthy of having the subject of his inquiry explained to him. … So these critics were most justly set aback. They retreated in disgrace. EXPOSITION ON THE GOSPELS OF MARK 3.11.33. [2]

[1] Mt 21:27; Mk 11:33; Lk 20:8.

[2] Cetedoc 1355, 3.11.1589; CCL 120:582-83; GMI 286*; cf. HOG 2:220. Knowledge is hidden from those who seek it wrongly.