Matthew 21:26

But if we say, ‘From men,’ we fear the multitude, for all hold John as a prophet.”

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Other translations

WEBBE

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.”

ASV

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

Original Greek

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ἐὰν ean If G1437 δὲ de however G1161 εἴπωμεν eipōmen we shall say G2036 ἐξ ex From G1537 ἀνθρώπων anthrōpōn men G444 φοβούμεθα phoboumetha we fear G5399 τὸν ton the G3588 ὄχλον ochlon multitude G3793 πάντες pantes all G3956 γὰρ gar for G1063 ὡς hōs as G5613 προφήτην prophētēn a prophet G4396 ἔχουσιν echousin hold G2192 τὸν ton (the) G3588 Ἰωάννην.¶ Iōannēn John G2491

The early church

And how was it they did not say that the baptism was of men? "They feared the people" it is said. Seest thou a perverse heart? In every case they despise God and do all things for the sake of men. For this man too they feared for their sakes not reverencing the saint but on account of men; and they were not willing to believe in Christ, because of men, and all their evils were engendered to them from hence. After this, because they, dealing craftily, said, "We know not," He said not, neither know I, but what? "Neither tell I you." For if indeed they had been ignorant it would have been requisite for them to be instructed; but since they were dealing craftily with good reason He answers them nothing.
John Chrysostom · d. 407Homilies on Matthew
But should they reply that it was an invention of human device, and had in it nothing divine, they feared a tumult among the people. For all the assembled multitudes had received John's baptism, and held him accordingly for a Prophet.
Jerome · d. 420Catena Aurea (Aquinas, 1274)

Commentary

Matthew Henry · Verses 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.

Read Matthew Henry on Matthew 21 →

Parallel passages

2

The same words or events elsewhere.

Mark 11:32Luke 20:6

Cross-references

14

People & places

John

Topics

Opinion, Public

Cross-references: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. Hebrew and Greek data from STEPBible.org (Tyndale House, Cambridge), CC BY 4.0. Library: sources.