Luke 20:6
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)
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What's striking here is the scribes' raw fear, not of God's judgment, but of the people's violent reaction. Their proposed answer, "of men," isn't based on truth, but on a calculated risk assessment driven by the crowd's firm conviction that John was a true prophet.
Jesus has just been challenged by the religious leaders about the authority by which he teaches in the temple, and he responds with a question about the source of John the Baptist's authority. The religious leaders find themselves in a bind: if they admit John's authority came from God, they'd have to admit they didn't believe John, and if they say his authority was merely human, the crowd, who strongly believed John was a prophet, would turn on them violently.
Imagine facing a crowd so passionate they'd resort to violence if you spoke against their hero. That's the situation these religious leaders found themselves in.
The leaders are cornered because they know the public's opinion. They say the people "will stone us to death" (καταλιθάσει). This isn't just a strong opinion; it's a visceral fear of immediate, violent retribution from the crowd.
A Settled Belief
Their fear stems from a "long-standing and settled persuasion" that John the Baptist was a true prophet. This wasn't a passing thought but a deeply held conviction that the people wouldn't easily abandon. This shows how much influence John had, even after his death, and how out of touch the religious elite were with the common people's spiritual understanding.
John the Baptist's ministry was so impactful that it posed a serious threat to the religious establishment. How could they possibly respond?
Jesus poses a question designed to expose the hypocrisy of the chief priests and scribes: "Was the baptism of John from heaven, or from men?"
The Unavoidable Dilemma
This clever question leaves them no good answer. Their unwillingness to acknowledge the divine source of John's baptism reveals their deeper resistance to God's work, even when it's evident.
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 people highlights the tense political and religious climate of Jerusalem. The widespread popular devotion to John the Baptist, whom they saw as a true prophet, meant that any challenge to his legitimacy could have severe consequences for the elite.
c. AD 28
John the Baptist's Ministry Begins
John the Baptist starts his public ministry in the wilderness of Judea, calling people to repentance and baptizing them. His powerful message and perceived divine authority capture the attention and devotion of the masses.
c. AD 29
Jesus' Baptism and Public Ministry
Jesus is baptized by John, and His own ministry begins. As Jesus teaches and performs miracles, He gains a large following, often drawing crowds away from the religious establishment.
c. AD 30-33— this verse
Jesus Teaches and Challenges Authority in the Temple
Jesus enters the Temple in Jerusalem during His final week, teaching the people and performing signs. The chief priests, scribes, and elders confront Him, demanding to know by what authority He acts.
c. AD 30-33
The Question About John's Authority
Jesus cleverly turns the question back on His accusers, asking them whether John the Baptist's authority came from heaven or from men. This places them in a theological and political bind.
This passage describes how Herod also feared killing John the Baptist because he was convinced John was a prophet, echoing the people's strong conviction in Luke 20:6 and the potential for dangerous public backlash.
John 1:19-24This passage details the Jewish leaders sending priests and Levites to question John the Baptist's authority, mirroring the same kind of interrogation Jesus faces in Luke 20.
Acts 7:59Stephen's stoning execution shows how quickly a crowd could turn violent and deadly, illustrating the very real danger the religious leaders feared in Luke 20:6 if they contradicted the popular belief about John.
Matthew 21:23-27This parallel account shows the same interrogation about Jesus' authority and the same dilemma the leaders faced regarding John the Baptist's ministry, highlighting their fear of the crowd and their unwillingness to acknowledge divine sources.
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 ).
What's striking here is the scribes' raw fear, not of God's judgment, but of the people's violent reaction. Their proposed answer, "of men," isn't based on truth, but on a calculated risk assessment driven by the crowd's firm conviction that John was a true prophet.
Jesus has just been challenged by the religious leaders about the authority by which he teaches in the temple, and he responds with a question about the source of John the Baptist's authority. The religious leaders find themselves in a bind: if they admit John's authority came from God, they'd have to admit they didn't believe John, and if they say his authority was merely human, the crowd, who strongly believed John was a prophet, would turn on them violently.
Jesus has just been challenged by the religious leaders about the authority by which he teaches in the temple, and he responds with a question about the source of John the Baptist's authority. The religious leaders find themselves in a bind: if they admit John's authority came from God, they'd have to admit they didn't believe John, and if they say his authority was merely human, the crowd, who strongly believed John was a prophet, would turn on them violently.
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c. AD 30-33
Fear of the Crowd's Reaction
The religious leaders fear that admitting John's authority came from heaven would mean they should have believed Jesus. Conversely, they fear that denying John's divine authority would incite the populace, who widely believe him to be a prophet and are prone to violent outbursts.
"But if we say, ‘From man,’ all the people will stone us to death, for they are convinced that John was a prophet.”" — What's striking here is the scribes' raw fear, not of God's judgment, but of the people's violent reaction. Their proposed answer, "of men," isn't based on truth, but on a calculated risk assessmen…
