But if we say, ‘From men,’ we are afraid of the people, for they all regard John as a prophet.”
Parallel translations
- WEB But if we say, ‘From men,’ we fear the multitude, for all hold John as a prophet.”
- KJV But if we shall say, Of men; we fear the people; for all hold John as a prophet.
- NKJV But if we say, ‘From men,’ we fear the multitude, for all count John as a prophet.”
- NASB But if we say, ‘From men,’ we fear the people; for they all regard John as a prophet.”
- NLT But if we say it was merely human, we’ll be mobbed because the people believe John was a prophet.”
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
The leaders fear the crowd, who regarded John as a prophet. Their dilemma reveals that their decisions are driven by political calculation, not conviction.
Overview
To deny John's divine commission would inflame the people who honored him as a prophet. Caught between truth and popularity, the leaders expose hearts ruled by fear of man rather than fear of God. This contrast highlights the genuine faith of ordinary people against the hardened unbelief of the religious establishment.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 14
- Mark 6:20because Herod feared John and protected him, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man. When he heard John’s words, he was greatly perplexed; yet he listened to him gladly.
- Matt 11:9What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.
- Matt 21:46Although they wanted to arrest Him, they were afraid of the crowds, because the people regarded Him as a prophet.
- Matt 14:5Although Herod wanted to kill John, he was afraid of the people, because they regarded John as a prophet.
- John 5:35John was a lamp that burned and gave light, and you were willing for a season to bask in his light.
- Mark 12:12At this, the leaders sought to arrest Jesus, for they knew that He had spoken this parable against them. But fearing the crowd, they left Him and went away.
- Acts 5:26At that point, the captain went with the officers and brought the apostles—but not by force, for fear the people would stone them.
- John 10:41–42Many came to Him and said, “Although John never performed a sign, everything he said about this man was true.”
- Mark 11:32But if we say, ‘From men’...” they were afraid of the people, for they all held that John truly was a prophet.
- Luke 20:6But if we say, ‘From men,’ all the people will stone us, for they are convinced that John was a prophet.”
- Luke 20:19When the scribes and chief priests realized that Jesus had spoken this parable against them, they sought to arrest Him that very hour. But they were afraid of the people.
- Luke 22:2and the chief priests and scribes were looking for a way to put Jesus to death; for they feared the people.
- Isa 57:11Whom have you dreaded and feared, so that you lied and failed to remember Me or take this to heart? Is it not because I have long been silent that you do not fear Me?
- John 9:22His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jews. For the Jews had already determined that anyone who confessed Jesus as the Christ would be put out of the synagogue.
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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 21:26 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
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.