By What Authority?

Matthew 21:24-27   
24 But Jesus answered and said to them, “I also will ask you one thing, which if you tell Me, I likewise will tell you by what authority I do these things: 25 The baptism of John—where was it from? From heaven or from men?”  And they reasoned among themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will say to us, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ 26 But if we say, ‘From men,’ we fear the multitude, for all count John as a prophet.” 27 So they answered Jesus and said, “We do not know.”  And He said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.

The fear of men can make us deny the truth at times. The Pharisees refused to answer honestly what they believed about John to avoid further answers which would reveal their refusal to believe.  They did not want to look bad when caught in their stubborn disbelief.  So they knew they would look foolish to either men or God, and pretended not to know the answer to Jesus' question.  It is always best to answer rightly, then deal with what needs to happen next or change anyway.