Luke recorded the leaders" confession that they did not know from where John received his authority. This was, of course, a deliberate evasion of Jesus" question. However their answer condemned them because as Israel"s leaders they were responsible to evaluate the claims of professing prophets. Jesus used their refusal to answer His question as a reason not to answer theirs, but the implication was clear to everyone. He claimed the same authority as John , namely, God. There was ample evidence of that in Jesus" ministry even though the critics refused to accept it. [source][source][source]