They reasoned with themselves, saying, “If we should say, ‘From heaven;’ he will say, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’
Parallel Translations
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They reasoned with themselves, saying, “If we should say, ‘From heaven;’ he will say, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’
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And they thought in them selves sayinge: yf we shall saye from heven: he will saye why then dyd ye not beleve him?
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And they thought with themselues, saying, If we shall say, From heauen, he will say, Why then did ye not beleeue him?
Cross-references (8)
Passages linked to Mark 11:31 in the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge, ordered by reader-vote popularity; verse text shown in World English Bible.
- Matthew 11:7-14 As these went their way, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John, “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? But what did you go out to see? A man in soft clothing? Behold, those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses. But why did you go out? To see a prophet? Yes, I tell you, and much more than a prophet. For this is he, of whom it is written, ‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you.’ Most certainly I tell you, among those who are born of women there has not arisen anyone greater than John the Baptizer; yet he who is least in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than he. From the days of John the Baptizer until now, the Kingdom of Heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force. For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. If you are willing to receive it, this is Elijah, who is to come.
- Matthew 21:25-27 The baptism of John, where was it from? From heaven or from men?” They reasoned with themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will ask us, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ But if we say, ‘From men,’ we fear the multitude, for all hold John as a prophet.” They answered Jesus, and said, “We don’t know.” He also said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.
- Matthew 21:31-32 Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said to him, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Most certainly I tell you that the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering into God’s Kingdom before you. For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you didn’t believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him. When you saw it, you didn’t even repent afterward, that you might believe him.
- John 1:15 John testified about him. He cried out, saying, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me, for he was before me.’ ”
- John 1:29 The next day, he saw Jesus coming to him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!
- John 1:34 I have seen, and have testified that this is the Son of God.”
- John 1:36 and he looked at Jesus as he walked, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God!”
- John 3:29-36 He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. This, my joy, therefore is made full. He must increase, but I must decrease. He who comes from above is above all. He who is from the earth belongs to the earth and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all. What he has seen and heard, of that he testifies; and no one receives his witness. He who has received his witness has set his seal to this, that God is true. For he whom God has sent speaks the words of God; for God gives the Spirit without measure. The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into his hand. One who believes in the Son has eternal life, but one who disobeys the Son won’t see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.”
Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)
Explain this verse (6 sources)
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John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain 31 And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we…
31 And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say, Why then did ye not believe him?
Ver. 31. {See Trapp on "Mat 21:25"}
John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain But if we shall say, of men,.... That John's…
But if we shall say, of men,.... That John's baptism was an human invention, and he had no authority from God to preach and administer it,
they feared the people; lest being enraged thereby they should, at once, rise up, and destroy them:
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for all men counted John, that he was a prophet indeed; a real prophet, one truly sent from God, and had his commission and credentials from him: this was the general sentiment of the people; See Gill on Mat 21:26.
John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain Verse 31. See Clarke on Mr 11:27.
Verse 31. See Clarke on Mr 11:27.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain Vers. 31, 32. They reasoned with themselves, like men…
Vers. 31, 32. They reasoned with themselves, like men anxious and perplexed. If we shall say, From heaven; he will say, Why then did ye not believe him? For he told you I was the promised Messias, and bade you prepare yourselves by repentance to receive my grace and salvation. But should we say, From men they feared the people: for all verily held John to be a prophet. This is a broken sentence, but very expressive. The evangelist leaves his reader to supply what they meant. They deemed it prudent not to finish the sentence; and probably cut it short with some significant gesture. They did not like to confess that they feared the people; although this was the true reason why they hesitated to say that John"s baptism was of men. They knew that all the people held John to be a prophet. They were thus thrown on one or other horn of a dilemma.
The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 If we say, 'From heaven,'
If we say, 'From heaven,'
This refers to the source of the baptism of John. AT: "If we say, 'It was from heaven,'" (See: Ellipsis)
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From heaven
Here "heaven" refers to God. See how you translated this in Mark 11:30. AT: "From God" (See: Metonymy)
not believe him
The word "him" refers to John the Baptist.
But if we say, 'From men,'
This refers to the source of the baptism of John. AT: "But if we say, 'It was from men,'" (See: Ellipsis)
From men
"From people"
But if we say, 'From men,' ... .
The religious leaders imply that they will suffer from the people if they give this answer. AT: "But if we say, 'From men,' that would not be good." or "But we do not want to say that it was from men." (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information and Ellipsis)
They were afraid of the people
The author, Mark, explains why the religious leaders did not want to say that John's baptism was from men. This can be stated clearly. "They said this to each other because they were afraid of the people" or "They did not want to say that John's baptism was from men because they were afraid of the people" (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)
We do not know
This refers to the baptism of John. This understood information may be supplied. AT: "We do not know where the baptism of John came from" (See: Ellipsis)
translationWords
heaven
believe
fear
John (the Baptist)
prophet
Jesus
authority
unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.
Tyndale Open Study Notes 2022 · CC BY-SA 4.0 11:31-32 Jesus clearly placed his opponents in a bind,…
11:31-32 Jesus clearly placed his opponents in a bind, for either a “yes” or a “no” would damage their reputation and authority in the eyes of the people. Denying John’s prophetic authority would probably anger the people. Affirming it would mean that they should have accepted what John said, including what he said about Jesus. This answer would also answer their own question (11:28).
Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.