When the chief priests and the elders of the people question Jesus about his authority, he responds by asking them another question, about John the Baptist's authority. In doing so, Jesus is really challenging them to take a stand: either make a commitment to God, or stand against him. The priests and elders are too cowardly to stand against God, yet they are not prepared to accept him. Hence their answer, "We do not know". When Jesus refuses to give them an answer, he is really telling them: "You are not prepared to accept the Truth (God), so to tell you that I work on God's authority would be useless".

Perhaps we too are shying away from God; perhaps we go through life dwelling on the 'safe' level implied by "I don't know". But that level is not safe, as from there we do not progress anywhere in our faith, and are dangerously exposed to the devil's temptations.