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 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

24But Jesus answered and said to them, “I also will ask you one thing, which if you tell Me, I likewise will tell you by what authority I do these things: 25The baptism of John—where was it from? From heaven or from men?” And they reasoned among themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will say to us, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ But if we say, ‘From men,’ we fear the multitude, for all count John as a prophet.” 27So they answered Jesus and said, “We do not know.” And He said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things. 28“But what do you think? A man had two sons, and he came to the first and said, ‘Son, go, work today in my 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 21:46But when they sought to lay hands on Him, they feared the multitudes, because they took Him for a prophet.
• Matthew 14:5And although he wanted to put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet.
• Isaiah 57:11“And of whom have you been afraid, or feared, That you have lied And not remembered Me, Nor taken it to your heart? Is it not because I have held My peace from of old That you do not fear Me?
• Mark 11:32But if we say, ‘From men’ ”—they feared the people, for all counted John to have been a prophet indeed.
• Mark 12:12And they sought to lay hands on Him, but feared the multitude, for they knew He had spoken the parable against them. So they left Him and went away.
• Luke 20:6But if we say, ‘From men,’ all the people will stone us, for they are persuaded that John was a prophet.”
• Luke 22:2And the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might kill Him, for they feared the people.
• John 9:22His parents said these things because they feared the Jews, for the Jews had agreed already that if anyone confessed that He was Christ, he would be put out of the synagogue.
• Acts 5:26Then the captain went with the officers and brought them without violence, for they feared the people, lest they should be stoned.
• Mark 6:20for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just and holy man, and he protected him. And when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly.
• John 5:35He was the burning and shining lamp, and you were willing for a time to rejoice in his light.
• John 10:41Then many came to Him and said, “John performed no sign, but all the things that John spoke about this Man were 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