What was the source of John’s baptism? Was it from heaven or from men?” They deliberated among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will ask, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’
Parallel translations
- WEB The baptism of John, where was it from? From heaven or from men?” They reasoned with themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will ask us, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’
- KJV The baptism of John, whence was it? from heaven, or of men? And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say unto us, Why did ye not then believe him?
- NKJV The baptism of John—where was it from? From heaven or from men?” And they reasoned among themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will say to us, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’
- NASB The baptism of John was from what source: from heaven or from men?” And they began considering the implications among themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will say to us, ‘Then why did you not believe him?’
- NLT “Did John’s authority to baptize come from heaven, or was it merely human?” They talked it over among themselves. “If we say it was from heaven, he will ask us why we didn’t believe John.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Jesus asks whether John's baptism was from God or merely human. The leaders are caught, because either answer condemns them.
Overview
John the Baptist's ministry pointed directly to Jesus, so the source of John's authority is bound up with the source of Jesus' authority. The leaders privately admit that affirming John as God-sent would expose their failure to believe him. Their reasoning shows they care more about self-protection than truth, the very root of their rejection of Christ.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 20
- 1 Jn 3:20Even if our hearts condemn us, God is greater than our hearts, and He knows all things.
- Mark 1:1–11This is the beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
- Matt 3:1–12In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea
- Luke 20:5They deliberated among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will ask, ‘Why did you not believe him?’
- John 3:18Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.
- John 1:15John testified concerning Him. He cried out, saying, “This is He of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because He was before me.’”
- John 10:25–26“I already told you,” Jesus replied, “but you did not believe. The works I do in My Father’s name testify on My behalf.
- John 5:44–47How can you believe if you accept glory from one another, yet do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?
- John 5:33–36You have sent to John, and he has testified to the truth.
- Matt 17:12–13But I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but have done to him whatever they wished. In the same way, the Son of Man will suffer at their hands.”
- John 1:6There came a man who was sent from God. His name was John.
- Luke 1:11–17Just then an angel of the Lord appeared to Zechariah, standing at the right side of the altar of incense.
- John 12:37–43Although Jesus had performed so many signs in their presence, they still did not believe in Him.
- Luke 7:28–35I tell you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John, yet even the least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”
- John 1:25–34asked him, “Why then do you baptize, if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?”
- Matt 11:7–15As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swaying in the wind?
- Luke 3:2–20during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness.
- Luke 1:67–80Then his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied:
- John 3:26–36So John’s disciples came to him and said, “Look, Rabbi, the One who was with you beyond the Jordan, the One you testified about—He is baptizing, and everyone is going to Him.”
- Mark 11:27–33After their return to Jerusalem, Jesus was walking in the temple courts, and the chief priests, scribes, and elders came up to Him.
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Christ at the center
Matthew presents Jesus as the promised King — son of David, son of Abraham — the new Moses and true Israel in whom every prophecy reaches 'that it might be fulfilled.'
How Matthew 21:25 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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