When Jesus returned to the Temple and began teaching, the leading priests and elders came up to him. They demanded, “By what authority are you doing all these things? Who gave you the right?”
Matthew 21:23 (NLT)

“I’ll tell you by what authority I do these things if you answer one question,” Jesus replied. “Did John’s authority to baptize come from heaven, or was it merely human?”
Matthew 21:24-25 (NLT)

They talked it over among themselves. “If we say it was from heaven, he will ask us why we didn’t believe John. 26 But if we say it was merely human, we’ll be mobbed because the people believe John was a prophet.”  So they finally replied, “We don’t know.”
Matthew 21:26-27 (NLT)

"God sent a man, John the Baptist, to tell about the light so that everyone might believe."
John 1:6-7 (NLT)

And Jesus responded, “Then I won’t tell you by what authority I do these things.
Matthew 21:27 (NLT)

“But what do you think about this? A man with two sons told the older boy, ‘Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.’  The son answered, ‘No, I won’t go,’ but later he changed his mind and went anyway.  Then the father told the other son, ‘You go,’ and he said, ‘Yes, sir, I will.’ But he didn’t go.
Matthew 21:28-30 (NLT)

“Which of the two obeyed his father?” They replied, “The first.”
Matthew 21:31 (NLT)

Then Jesus explained his meaning: “I tell you the truth, corrupt tax collectors and prostitutes will get into the Kingdom of God before you do.  For John the Baptist came and showed you the right way to live, but you didn’t believe him, while tax collectors and prostitutes did. And even when you saw this happening, you refused to believe him and repent of your sins."
Matthew 21:31-32 (NLT)

"Which of the two obeyed his father?"
Matthew 21:31 (NLT)

TRUE BELIEF IN JESUS IS REVEALED IN REPENTANCE

INITIAL RESPONSES ARE NOT ULTIMATE RESPONSES