Mark 11:27-28

The chief priests, teachers or scribes, and elders constituted the three components of the Sanhedrin. This was a very official inquiry prompted by Jesus’ presence and made necessary by His cleansing of the temple. Israel’s official leaders wanted to know about Jesus’ credentials and who gave Him the right to say and do what He did. They questioned the nature and source of His authority. Their questions were legitimate since they were responsible for supervising Israel’s religious life. Yet their question was a challenge to Jesus’ honor. [Note: See Joseph H. Hellerman, "Challenging the Authority of Jesus: Mark 11:27-33 and Mediterranean Notions of Honor and Shame," Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society 43:2 (June 2000):213-28.]

"The essence of the depiction of the opponents [of Jesus in Mark] lies in that they are self-serving; that is, they are preoccupied with preserving their power, their importance, their wealth, and their lives." [Note: Rhoads and Michie, p. 121.]