Last week we saw the authorities in Jerusalem question Jesus’ authority. On Monday Jesus had pronounced judgment on the Temple after driving out those who bought and sold in the Temple. On Tuesday the authorities confront Jesus about his action, demanding to know who he thinks he is doing such things. Jesus uncovers the disingenuous nature of their question and refuses to answer them directly. Instead he tells them a parable, a story – and it is this parable that we study today. But we’ll find that, like King Amaziah of Judah, the scribes, chief priests, and elders refuse to give heed to Jesus’ warning and immediately begin paving the way for their own destruction.