Jesus was engaged in a terminal conflict. He had entered Jerusalem as Messiah, cursed a fig tree— which subsequently withered, a symbol of the fruitlessness of Israel,—angrily cleansed Temple. Now he is surrounded by, in effect, the Sanhedrin, the Jewish Supreme Court. “By what authority are you doing these things, or who gave you this authority?” they demanded. They were supposed to be the authorities. Jesus answers with a parable. 

Scripture:  Mark 11:27 – 12:12