But if we say, ‘From men,’ we fear 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.
- 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.”
- 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 righteous and holy man, and kept him safe. When he heard him, he did many things, and he heard him gladly.
- Matt 11:9But why did you go out? To see a prophet? Yes, I tell you, and much more than a prophet.
- Matt 21:46When they sought to seize him, they feared the multitudes, because they considered him to be a prophet.
- Matt 14:5When he would have put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet.
- John 5:35He was the burning and shining lamp, and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light.
- Mark 12:12They tried to seize him, but they feared the multitude; for they perceived that he spoke the parable against them. They left him, and went away.
- Acts 5:26Then the captain went with the officers, and brought them without violence, for they were afraid that the people might stone them.
- John 10:41–42Many came to him. They said, “John indeed did no sign, but everything that John said about this man is true.”
- Mark 11:32If we should say, ‘From men’” — they feared the people, for all held John to really be a prophet.
- Luke 20:6But if we say, ‘From men,’ all the people will stone us, for they are persuaded that John was a prophet.”
- Luke 20:19The chief priests and the scribes sought to lay hands on him that very hour, but they feared the people — for they knew he had spoken this parable against them.
- Luke 22:2The chief priests and the scribes sought how they might put him to death, for they feared the people.
- Isa 57:11“Whom have you dreaded and feared, so that you lie, and have not remembered me, nor laid it to your heart? Haven’t I held my peace for a long time, and you don’t fear me?
- John 9:22His parents said these things because they feared the Jews; for the Jews had already agreed that if any man would confess him as Christ, he 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.