Matthew 21:26
◄  Matthew 21:26  ►
New International Version (©2011)
But if we say, 'Of human origin'--we are afraid of the people, for they all hold that John was a prophet."

New Living Translation (©2007)
But if we say it was merely human, we'll be mobbed because the people believe John was a prophet."

English Standard Version (©2001)
But if we say, ‘From man,’ we are afraid of the crowd, for they all hold that John was a prophet.”

New American Standard Bible (©1995)
"But if we say, 'From men,' we fear the people; for they all regard John as a prophet."

King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.)
But if we shall say, Of men; we fear the people; for all hold John as a prophet.

Holman Christian Standard Bible (©2009)
But if we say, 'From men,' we're afraid of the crowd, because everyone thought John was a prophet."

International Standard Version (©2012)
But if we say, 'From humans,' we are afraid of the crowd, because everyone regards John as a prophet."

NET Bible (©2006)
But if we say, 'From people,' we fear the crowd, for they all consider John to be a prophet."

Aramaic Bible in Plain English (©2010)
“And we are too afraid of the crowds to say, 'From men', for they all hold Yohannan as a Prophet.”

GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995)
But if we say, 'from humans,' we're afraid of what the crowd might do. All those people think of John as a prophet."

King James 2000 Bible (©2003)
But if we shall say, Of men; we fear the people; for all hold John as a prophet.

American King James Version
But if we shall say, Of men; we fear the people; for all hold John as a prophet.

American Standard Version
But if we shall say, From men; we fear the multitude; for all hold John as a prophet.

Douay-Rheims Bible
If we shall say, from heaven, he will say to us: Why then did you not believe him? But if we shall say, from men, we are afraid of the multitude: for all held John as a prophet.

Darby Bible Translation
but if we should say, Of men, we fear the crowd, for all hold John for a prophet.

English Revised Version
But if we shall say, From men; we fear the multitude; for all hold John as a prophet.

Webster's Bible Translation
But if we shall say, From men; we fear the people: for all hold John as a prophet.

Weymouth New Testament
and if we say 'a human origin' we have the people to fear, for they all hold John to have been a Prophet."

World English Bible
But if we say, 'From men,' we fear the multitude, for all hold John as a prophet."

Young's Literal Translation
and if we should say, From men, we fear the multitude, for all hold John as a prophet.'

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

21:23-27 As our Lord now openly appeared as the Messiah, the chief priests and scribes were much offended, especially because he exposed and removed the abuses they encouraged. Our Lord asked what they thought of John's ministry and baptism. Many are more afraid of the shame of lying than of the sin, and therefore scruple not to speak what they know to be false, as to their own thoughts, affections, and intentions, or their remembering and forgetting. Our Lord refused to answer their inquiry. It is best to shun needless disputes with wicked opposers.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 26. - We fear the people. They dared not, as they would gladly have done, affirm that John was a false prophet and impostor; for then, as according to St. Luke they said, "All the people will stone us." Public opinion was too strong for them. Whatever view they really took of John's position, they were forced, for the sake of retaining popularity, to uphold its Divine character. All hold John as a prophet. Even Herod, for the same reason, long hesitated to put the Baptist to death (Matthew 14:5); and many of the Jews believed that Herod's defeat by Aretas was a judgment upon him for this murder (Josephus,' Ant.,' 18:5. 2); comp. Luke 7:29, which shows how extensive was the influence of this holy teacher, who indeed did no miracle, but persuaded men by pure doctrine, holy life, genuine love of souls, courageous reproof of sin wherever found. Others had drawn the very inference which Christ now demanded (see John 10:41, 42).

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

But if we shall say of men,.... They reasoned with themselves, that should they give their answer in this form, and say, that the ministry and baptism of John, were merely human, and what he took up of himself, or which he performed by an authority derived from men,

we fear the people; that were then upon the spot, in the temple; who, as many of them were now the followers of Christ, more of them had been the admirers of John, and probably had been baptized by him: wherefore the sanhedrim were afraid of them, lest if they should affirm, that the authority by which John acted was human, they would immediately rise up against them; and, as Luke says, "stone" them: so high a veneration had they for him, and so dear was his memory still unto them,

For all held John as a prophet. These are the words of the high priests and elders, and not of the evangelist, expressing the reason of their fears from the people, who, in general, were thoroughly persuaded, as Luke expresses it, and firmly believed that John was a prophet, that was raised up, and sent immediately by God; and did not derive his authority and commission to preach and baptize from any man, or set of men, whatever.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

26. But if we shall say, Of men; we fear the people—rather, "the multitude." In Luke (Lu 20:6) it is, "all the people will stone us"—"stone us to death."

for all hold John as a prophet—Crooked, cringing hypocrites! No wonder Jesus gave you no answer.

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Jesus' Authority Challenged
…25The baptism of John, from where was it? from heaven, or of men? And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say to us, Why did you not then believe him? 26But if we shall say, Of men; we fear the people; for all hold John as a prophet. 27And they answered Jesus, and said, We cannot tell. And he said to them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.

Matthew 11:9 Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.
Matthew 21:11 The crowds answered, "This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee."
Matthew 21:25 John's baptism--where did it come from? Was it from heaven, or of human origin?" They discussed it among themselves and said, "If we say, 'From heaven,' he will ask, 'Then why didn't you believe him?'
Matthew 21:27 So they answered Jesus, "We don't know." Then he said, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.
Matthew 21:46 They looked for a way to arrest him, but they were afraid of the crowd because the people held that he was a prophet.
Mark 6:20 because Herod feared John and protected him, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man. When Herod heard John, he was greatly puzzled; yet he liked to listen to him.