Matthew 21:26

Matthew 21:26 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)But if we shall say, Of men; we fear the people; for all hold John as a prophet.
• New International Version (NIV)But if we say, ‘Of human origin’—we are afraid of the people, for they all hold that John was a prophet.”
• English Standard Version (ESV)But if we say, 'From man,' we are afraid of the crowd, for they all hold that John was a prophet."
• New King James Version (NKJV)But if we say, ‘From men,’ we fear the multitude, for all count John as a prophet.”

Context of Matthew 21:26

24Jesus replied to them, “I will also ask you a question, and if you tell Me the answer, then I will tell you by what authority I do these things. 25The baptism of John—from where did it come? From heaven [that is, ordained by God] or from men?” And they began debating among themselves [considering the implications of their answer], saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will say to us, ‘Then why did you not believe John?’ But if we say, ‘From men,’ we are afraid of the [response of the] crowd; for they all regard John as a prophet.” 27So they answered Jesus, “We do not know.” And He said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what [kind of] authority I do these things.” 28“What do you think? There was a man who had two sons, and he came to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’

Matthew 21:26 word by word

ἐὰν δὲ εἴπωμεν· ἐξ ἀνθρώπων, φοβούμεθα τὸν ὄχλον· πάντες γὰρ ὡς προφήτην ἔχουσιν τὸν Ἰωάννην.¶Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Butδέde · thenG1161
• ifἐάνean · ifG1437
• we shall sayλέγωlegō · to sayG3004
• Ofἐκek ex · out fromG1537
• menἄνθρωποςanthrōpos · a humanG444
• we fearφοβέωphobeō · to fearG5399
• the peopleὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• the peopleὄχλοςochlos · crowdG3793
• forγάρgar · forG1063
• allπᾶςpas · allG3956
• holdἔχωechō · to have/beG2192
• JohnἸωάννηςIōannēs · JohnG2491
• asὡςhōs · as/whenG5613
• a prophetπροφήτηςprophētēs · prophetG4396

Cross-references for Matthew 21:26

• Matthew 21:46And although they were trying to arrest Him, they feared the people, because they regarded Jesus as a prophet.
• Matthew 14:5Although Herod wished to have him put to death, he feared the people, for they regarded John as a prophet.
• Isaiah 57:11“About whom were you worried and fearful That you lied and did not remember Me, Nor give Me a thought? Was I not silent even for a long time And [as a result] you do not fear Me?
• Mark 11:32But shall we say, ‘From men?’ ” —they were afraid [to answer because] of the crowd, for everyone considered John to have been a real prophet.
• Mark 12:12And they were looking for a way to seize Him, but they were afraid of the crowd; for they knew that He spoke this parable in reference to [and as a charge against] them. And so they left Him and went away.
• Luke 20:6But if we say, ‘From men,’ all the people will stone us to death, for they are firmly convinced that John was a prophet.”
• Luke 22:2The chief priests and the scribes were looking for a way to put Him to death; for they were afraid of the people [who listened devotedly to His teaching, and who respected His spiritual wisdom].
• John 9:22His parents said this because they were afraid of [the leaders of] the Jews; for the Jews had already agreed that if anyone acknowledged Jesus to be the Christ, he would be put out of the synagogue (excommunicated).
• Acts 5:26Then the captain went with the officers and brought them back, without hurting them (because they were afraid of the people, worried that they might be stoned).
• Mark 6:20because Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he continually kept him safe. When he heard John [speak], he was very perplexed; but he enjoyed listening to him.
• John 5:35John was the lamp that kept on burning and shining [to show you the way], and you were willing for a while to rejoice in his light.
• John 10:41Many came to Him, and they were saying, “John did not perform a single sign (attesting miracle), but everything John said about this Man was true and accurate.”

Commentaries on Matthew 21:26

• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 23-27Verses 23-27 See also Mark 11:27-33; Luke 20:1-9. Matthew 21:23 When he was come into the temple - That is, probably, into the inner court - the court of the Israelites. They took this opportunity of questioning him on this subject when he was not surrounded by the multitude. By what authority … - There was a show of propriety in this question. He was making great changes in the affairs of the temple, and they claimed the right to know why this was done…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 23-27Verses 23-27 As our Lord now openly appeared as the Messiah, the chief priests and scribes were much offended, especially because he exposed and removed the abuses they encouraged. Our Lord asked what they thought of John's ministry and baptism. Many are more afraid of the shame of lying than of the sin, and therefore scruple not to speak what they know to be false, as to their own thoughts, affections, and intentions, or their remembering and forgetting…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 23-46This section focuses on how Jewish leaders challenged the authority of Jesus. Each time, the wisdom of Jesus revealed their lack of spiritual understanding. These debates also revealed the status of Jesus as the Messiah and the consequences of rejecting him. Sadly, the leaders became more resistant with each encounter and plotted to kill Jesus (Matthew 21:23, 46; 22:15–17, 23, 34, 41).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2626. But if we shall say, Of men; we fear the people--rather, "the multitude." In Luke (Lu 20:6) it is, "all the people will stone us"--"stone us to death." for all hold John as a prophet--Crooked, cringing hypocrites! No wonder Jesus gave you no answer.Read the comment

Topics related to Matthew 21:26

• Falsehood
• Opinion, Public

In the dictionaries

• Authority
• Daughter
• Grind
• Loose
• Move
• Presently
• Reverence
• Seat
• Thief
• Authority in Religion

Commentaries on Matthew 21

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Catena Aurea
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• John Lightfoot Commentary
• Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• The Fourfold Gospel and Commentary on Acts
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings