But if we shall say, Of men; we fear the people; for all hold John as a prophet.
Parallel translations
- WEB But if we say, ‘From men,’ we fear the multitude, for all hold John as a prophet.”
- BSB But if we say, ‘From men,’ we are afraid of the people, for they all regard 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 6:20For Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just man and an holy, and observed him; and when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly.
- Matt 11:9But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet.
- Matt 21:46But when they sought to lay hands on him, they feared the multitude, because they took him for a prophet.
- Matt 14:5And when he would have put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet.
- John 5:35He was a burning and a shining light: and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light.
- Mark 12:12And they sought to lay hold on him, but feared the people: for they knew that he had spoken the parable against them: and they left him, and went their way.
- Acts 5:26Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them without violence: for they feared the people, lest they should have been stoned.
- John 10:41–42And many resorted unto him, and said, John did no miracle: but all things that John spake of this man were true.
- Mark 11:32But if we shall say, Of men; they feared the people: for all men counted John, that he was a prophet indeed.
- Luke 20:6But and if we say, Of men; all the people will stone us: for they be persuaded that John was a prophet.
- Luke 20:19And the chief priests and the scribes the same hour sought to lay hands on him; and they feared the people: for they perceived that he had spoken this parable against them.
- Luke 22:2And the chief priests and scribes sought how they might kill him; for they feared the people.
- Isa 57:11And of whom hast thou been afraid or feared, that thou hast lied, and hast not remembered me, nor laid it to thy heart? have not I held my peace even of old, and thou fearest me not?
- John 9:22These words spake his parents, because they feared the Jews: for the Jews had agreed already, that if any man did confess that he was Christ, he should 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.