S – They came again to Jerusalem. As he was walking in the temple, the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders came ²⁸ and asked him, “By what authority are you doing these things? Who gave you this authority to do these things?”

Mark 11:27–28 CSB

O – Commentary:  

As guardians of Israel’s religious life they asked two questions: (1) What was the nature of His authority (cf. 1:22, 27); what were His credentials? (2) Who was the source of His authority? Who authorized Him to do this? “This” (lit., these things) refers to His purging the temple the previous day (cf. 11:15–17) and probably more generally to all His authoritative words and deeds which drew much popular acclaim (cf. v. 18; 12:12, 37

“Mark,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures

authority: ĕxŏusia; privilege, i.e. (subj.) force, capacity, competency, freedom, or (obj.) mastery  delegated influence:— authority, jurisdiction, liberty, power, right, strength. 

The New Strong’s Dictionary of Hebrew and Greek Words 

A – Jesus acted upon the authority given to him by God.  He was the Messiah.  All of this was scary to the religious leaders because they were they authority.  Yet, instead of recognizing what God was doing, they allowed fear to threaten their power and position.  We must yield our power and position to God.

R – Lord, today I surrender all that you have given to me.  All of it comes from you.  As I continue in my roles today, let me be sensitive to the Holy Spirit so that I am yielded and submitted to what your ways and purposes are.  Not my own.