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.
• 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.”
• New Living Translation (NLT)But if we say it was merely human, we’ll be mobbed because the people believe John was a prophet.”

Context of Matthew 21:26

24Jesus replied, “I will also ask you one question. If you answer me, I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. 25John’s baptism—where did it come from? Was it from heaven, or of human origin?” They discussed it among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will ask, ‘Then why didn’t you believe him?’ But if we say, ‘Of human origin’—we are afraid of the people, for they all hold that John was a prophet.” 27So they answered Jesus, “We don’t know.” Then he said, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things. 28“What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’

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 21:46They looked for a way to arrest him, but they were afraid of the crowd because the people held that he was a prophet.
• Matthew 14:5Herod wanted to kill John, but he was afraid of the people, because they considered John a prophet.
• Isaiah 57:11“Whom have you so dreaded and feared that you have not been true to me, and have neither remembered me nor taken this to heart? Is it not because I have long been silent that you do not fear me?
• Mark 11:32But if we say, ‘Of human origin’ …” (They feared the people, for everyone held that John really was a prophet.)
• Mark 12:12Then the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders looked for a way to arrest him because they knew he had spoken the parable against them. But they were afraid of the crowd; so they left him and went away.
• Luke 20:6But if we say, ‘Of human origin,’ all the people will stone us, because they are persuaded that John was a prophet.”
• Luke 22:2and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were looking for some way to get rid of Jesus, for they were afraid of the people.
• John 9:22His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders, who already had decided that anyone who acknowledged that Jesus was the Messiah would be put out of the synagogue.
• Acts 5:26At that, the captain went with his officers and brought the apostles. They did not use force, because they feared that the people would stone them.
• Mark 6:20because Herod feared John and protected him, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man. When Herod heard John, he was greatly puzzled; yet he liked to listen to him.
• John 5:35John was a lamp that burned and gave light, and you chose for a time to enjoy his light.
• John 10:41and many people came to him. They said, “Though John never performed a sign, all that John said about this man was true.”

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