Mark 11:32
30 John’s baptism—was it from heaven or from men? Answer Me!”
31 They deliberated among themselves what they should answer: “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will ask, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’
But if we say, ‘From men’...” they were afraid of the people, for they all held that John truly was a prophet.
33 So they answered, “We do not know.” And Jesus replied, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.”
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
- But if we say, ‘From men’...” they were afraid of the people, for they all held that John truly was a prophet.
- KJV
- But if we shall say, Of men; they feared the people: for all men counted John, that he was a prophet indeed.
- WEB
- If we should say, ‘From men’”—they feared the people, for all held John to really be a prophet.
- ASV
- But should we say, From men--they feared the people: for all verily held John to be a prophet.
- DARBY
- but should we say, Of men they feared the people; for all held of John that he was truly a prophet.
- BLB
- But should we say, ‘From men’...” they were afraid of the crowd, for all were holding that John truly was a prophet.
- ÅB
- Eller skal vi si: Fra mennesker? De fryktet for folket; for alle mente om Johannes at han i sannhet var en profet.
- OTB
- Men hvis vi sier: ‘Av menneskelig opprinnelse’…” De var redde for folket, for alle var overbevist om at Johannes virkelig var en profet.
- B1930
- Eller skal vi si: Fra mennesker? De fryktet for folket; for alle mente om Johannes at han i sannhet var en profet.
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
Matthew 14:5
Although Herod wanted to kill John, he was afraid of the people, because they regarded John as a prophet.
Read in contextMatthew 21:46
Although they wanted to arrest Him, they were afraid of the crowds, because the people regarded Him as a prophet.
Read in contextMark 12:12
At 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.
Read in contextJohn 10:41
Many came to Him and said, “Although John never performed a sign, everything he said about this man was true.”
Read in contextMatthew 21:31–32
Which of the two did the will of his father?” “The first,” they answered. Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God before you.
Read in contextLuke 22:2
and the chief priests and scribes were looking for a way to put Jesus to death; for they feared the people.
Read in contextLuke 7:26–29
What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.
Read in contextMark 6:20
because 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.
Read in context