Luke 20:1-2

Luke’s reference to Jesus preaching the gospel, as well as the question of His authority to do so, preview the experiences of Peter and Paul (cf. Acts 4:7). Individuals from the chief priests, scribes or lawyers, and elders made up the Sanhedrin. Thus their question constituted an official inquiry. The critics’ first question dealt with who Jesus claimed to be and the second with whom He represented: Himself, or some group.

"Jesus had upset the normal ’religious’ atmosphere of the temple, which led the religious leaders to question His authority." [Note: Ibid., p. 254.]