But if we say, ‘From man,’ all the people will stone us to death, for they are convinced that John was a prophet.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
The chief priests and scribes reveal their own deeply rooted unbelief by their calculated fear. They're not worried about truth, but about how the crowd's firm conviction that John was a prophet will impact them.
But if we say, ‘From man,’ all the people will stone us to death, for they are convinced that John was a prophet.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus is being challenged by the chief priests and scribes who demand to know by what authority He teaches. Jesus turns the question back on them, asking if John the Baptist's authority came from God or from people. The religious leaders are trapped: if they say John's authority was divine, they must then admit Jesus, who was baptized by John, also has divine authority. If they say John was merely human, the crowd, who firmly believe John was a prophet, would riot and possibly kill them.
Why were the chief priests so terrified of saying John the Baptist was just a regular guy?
Jesus' opponents were trapped by the crowd's deep belief in John the Baptist. The people weren't just vaguely impressed; they were convinced he was a prophet. The original Greek suggests a settled, unshakeable persuasion. This wasn't a new or fringe idea; it was the common understanding.
This conviction meant that even suggesting John's prophetic status was questionable would have been incredibly dangerous for the religious leaders. Their authority was already shaky with the masses, and alienating them further by attacking a beloved prophet would have led to severe consequences, even violence.
Jesus presented his accusers with a question so clever, any answer they gave would expose them.
Jesus wasn't just asking about John the Baptist; he was subtly turning the tables. He knew the priests and scribes had likely already considered John's ministry, and Jesus' own authority, with their own inner circles. Their internal debate reveals their fear:
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Jesus masterfully forced them into a corner, revealing their lack of genuine faith and their political maneuvering.
Understand the original words
prophētēs · Greek Noun
A divinely appointed messenger who communicates God's will to the people. Prophets were often called to confront sin, call for repentance, and foretell future events or the coming of the Messiah.
The religious leaders' fear of the crowd's intense devotion to John the Baptist highlights the volatile political and religious climate in Jerusalem. Their refusal to acknowledge John's prophetic authority stemmed from a deep-seated distrust of his message, which pointed to Jesus, whom they were determined to oppose.
c. AD 28
John the Baptist's Ministry
John the Baptist begins his public ministry in the wilderness of Judea, preaching repentance and baptizing. He proclaims the imminent arrival of the Messiah.
c. AD 28-30
Popular Support for John the Baptist
Vast crowds flock to John for baptism, including many common people, soldiers, and tax collectors. His prophetic status is widely accepted and revered.
c. AD 30
Jesus' Ministry Begins
Jesus begins his public ministry, teaching in synagogues and throughout Galilee. He performs miracles and gathers followers.
c. AD 30
Jesus Teaches and Heals in the Temple
During a visit to Jerusalem, Jesus teaches the people in the Temple courts and begins to draw significant attention.
c. AD 30— this verse
Religious Authorities Confront Jesus
The chief priests, scribes, and elders approach Jesus in the Temple, challenging his authority to teach and act as he does.
c. AD 30
Jesus' Counter-Question
Jesus responds by asking the authorities whether John the Baptist's baptism was from heaven or from men, forcing them into a theological and political dilemma.
This passage mirrors the same dilemma faced by the chief priests and elders when Jesus asks about the authority of John the Baptist's baptism, highlighting their fear of the people's conviction about John's prophetic status.
John 10:31This verse shows the Jews' readiness to stone Jesus, illustrating the volatile and potentially violent reactions of the crowds when they felt their beliefs or traditions were threatened, much like the priests feared in Luke 20:6.
Acts 7:58Stephen's stoning demonstrates the extreme consequences of speaking against perceived religious authorities or truths, mirroring the very real danger the Jewish leaders felt from the public's strong belief in John as a prophet.
Luke 7:29This verse shows the people's positive response to John the Baptist's ministry, acknowledging him as a prophet and justifying God, which directly underpins the priests' fear of public outcry if they denied his divine commission.
vincentLuke 20:6: "But and if we say, Of men; all the people will stone us: for they be persuaded that John was a prophet."
Will stone (καταλιθάσει)Only here in New Testament. "Stone us down" (κατά); i.e., stone us to death.They be persuaded (πεπεισμένος ἐστιν)Lit., It (the people collectively) is hawing been persuaded. Denoting a long-standing and settled persuasion.
ellicottLuke 20:6: "But and if we say, Of men; all the people will stone us: for they be persuaded that John was a prophet."
(6) All the people will stone us. —St. Luke gives the more vivid utterance in place of the more general “we fear the people” in the other Gospels. As indicating the readiness of the people of Jerusalem to proceed to extremities of this kind, we may refer to their treatment of our Lord ( John 8:59 ; John 10:31 ) and Stephen ( Acts 7:58-59 ).
The chief priests and scribes reveal their own deeply rooted unbelief by their calculated fear. They're not worried about truth, but about how the crowd's firm conviction that John was a prophet will impact them.
Jesus is being challenged by the chief priests and scribes who demand to know by what authority He teaches. Jesus turns the question back on them, asking if John the Baptist's authority came from God or from people. The religious leaders are trapped: if they say John's authority was divine, they must then admit Jesus, who was baptized by John, also has divine authority. If they say John was merely human, the crowd, who firmly believe John was a prophet, would riot and possibly kill them.
Jesus is being challenged by the chief priests and scribes who demand to know by what authority He teaches. Jesus turns the question back on them, asking if John the Baptist's authority came from God or from people. The religious leaders are trapped: if they say John's authority was divine, they must then admit Jesus, who was baptized by John, also has divine authority. If they say John was merely human, the crowd, who firmly believe John was a prophet, would riot and possibly kill them.
"But if we say, ‘From man,’ all the people will stone us to death, for they are convinced that John was a prophet.”" — The chief priests and scribes reveal their own deeply rooted unbelief by their calculated fear. They're not worried about truth, but about how the crowd's firm conviction that John was a prophet…
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Last reviewed October 2026