Luke 20:4
2 “Tell us,” they said, “by what authority are You doing these things, and who gave You this authority?”
3 “I will also ask you a question,” Jesus replied. “Tell Me:
John’s baptism—was it from heaven, or from men?”
5 They deliberated among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will ask, ‘Why did you not believe him?’
6 But if we say, ‘From men,’ all the people will stone us, for they are convinced that John was a prophet.”
Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- John’s baptism—was it from heaven, or from men?”
- KJV
- The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men?
- WEB
- the baptism of John, was it from heaven, or from men?”
- ASV
- The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or from men?
- DARBY
- The baptism of John, was it of heaven or of men?
- BLB
- The baptism of John—was it from heaven or from men?”
- ÅB
- Johannes' dåp, var den fra himmelen eller fra mennesker?
- OTB
- Var Johannes' dåp fra himmelen eller fra mennesker?»
- B1930
- Johannes' dåp, var den fra himmelen eller fra mennesker?
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
Matthew 11:7–19
As 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?
Read in contextDaniel 4:25–26
You will be driven away from mankind, and your dwelling will be with the beasts of the field. You will feed on grass like an ox and be drenched with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass you by, until you acknowledge that the Most High rules over the kingdom of mankind and gives it to whom He wishes.
Read in contextLuke 15:18
I will get up and go back to my father and say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.
Read in contextMatthew 17:11–12
Jesus replied, “Elijah does indeed come, and he will restore all things.
Read in contextJohn 1:19–28
And this was John’s testimony when the Jews of Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him, “Who are you?”
Read in contextMatthew 21:25–32
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?’
Read in contextLuke 7:28–35
I 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.”
Read in contextJohn 1:6
There came a man who was sent from God. His name was John.
Read in context