Gospel in Art: I will tell you by what authority I do these things

Devolved Parliament by Banksy, 2009 . © Banksy, Alamy, Sotheby's, Oct 2019, sold £9,879,500

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 30 May 2026
Mark 11:27-33

At that time: Jesus and his disciples came again to Jerusalem. And as he was walking in the Temple, the chief priests and the scribes and the elders came to him, and they said to him, 'By what authority are you doing these things, or who gave you this authority to do them?' Jesus said to them, 'I will ask you one question; answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things. Was the baptism of John from heaven or from man? Answer me.' And they discussed it with one another, saying, 'If we say, "From heaven", he will say, "Why then did you not believe him?" But shall we say, "From man"?' - they were afraid of the people, for they all held that John really was a prophet. So they answered Jesus, 'We do not know.' And Jesus said to them, 'Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.'

Reflection on the painting

The question of authority has always been one of the great tensions within human society. Who truly possesses authority? How should it be exercised? When does authority serve others, and when does it become self-serving? These questions arise constantly in politics, institutions, families, and even within religious life. In today's Gospel of Mark, the issue of authority stands at the very centre of the confrontation between Jesus and the religious leaders in the Temple. After driving out the merchants and overturning the tables of the money changers, Jesus shocks those who considered themselves guardians of the Temple. They immediately challenge Him: "By what authority are you doing these things?" Beneath their question lies accusation. In their eyes, Jesus has stepped beyond His place. He has acted with an authority they believe He does not possess.

Yet the deeper irony is that Jesus acts precisely because he has the authority. His authority does not come from political appointment, religious status, or human approval, but from His communion with the Father. The religious leaders cannot recognise this because their hearts have already become closed. Jesus points out that they had similarly rejected the mission of John the Baptist, refusing to see that his ministry too came from God. And perhaps this Gospel still speaks powerfully to us today. Human authority is always limited and fragile. Look at what is happening in the world today politically. For us Christians, the deepest authority must always remain Christ Himself!

Of course, worldly authority itself is not something negative. No society could function without it. We entrust leaders, governments, judges, and institutions with authority so that order, justice, and the Common Good may be protected. Without some form of authority, society would quickly descend into chaos. Most politicians, I believe, serve their public lives with sincere intentions: a desire to improve society, to serve others, and to contribute something meaningful to the nation. Yet in recent decades a deep cynicism has grown toward politics and authority figures generally. Suspicion, sarcasm, and mockery often dominate public conversation, and the art world has frequently reflected this mood through works sharply critical of political leadership.

One striking example is today's painting 'Devolved Parliament' by Banksy, painted in 2009. The enormous canvas depicts the chamber of the House of Commons, yet instead of politicians seated on the green benches, we find chimpanzees passionately debating and gesturing toward one another. The scene is amusing, yet unsettling. Painted in Banksy's characteristic satirical style, the work mocks the chaos, noise, tribalism, and perceived absurdity of political life. Whilst the humour is sharp and undeniably clever, perhaps the painting also risks becoming unfair. To reduce political life entirely to foolishness and animal chaos overlooks the countless individuals who genuinely try to serve the public with integrity, often under enormous pressure and scrutiny.

And perhaps this is where today's Gospel becomes so important. Human authority will always remain imperfect because human beings themselves are imperfect. Governments, institutions, and leaders all have their place and responsibility within society. Yet Christ reminds us that above every earthly authority stands a greater authority: the authority of God Himself. Political leaders, religious leaders, and indeed all of us remain accountable before God.

LINKS

Christian Art: https://christian.art/
Today's reading: https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/mark-11-27-33-2026/
Video: How art called me to the priesthood: www.indcatholicnews.com/news/55096