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

24“I’ll tell you by what authority I do these things if you answer one question,” Jesus replied. 25“Did John’s authority to baptize come from heaven, or was it merely human?” They talked it over among themselves. “If we say it was from heaven, he will ask us why we didn’t believe John. But if we say it was merely human, we’ll be mobbed because the people believe John was a prophet.” 27So they finally replied, “We don’t know.” And Jesus responded, “Then I won’t tell you by what authority I do these things. 28“But what do you think about this? A man with two sons told the older boy, ‘Son, go out 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 21:46They wanted to arrest him, but they were afraid of the crowds, who considered Jesus to be a prophet.
• Matthew 14:5Herod wanted to kill John, but he was afraid of a riot, because all the people believed John was a prophet.
• Isaiah 57:11“Are you afraid of these idols? Do they terrify you? Is that why you have lied to me and forgotten me and my words? Is it because of my long silence that you no longer fear me?
• Mark 11:32But do we dare say it was merely human?” For they were afraid of what the people would do, because everyone believed that John was a prophet.
• Mark 12:12The religious leaders wanted to arrest Jesus because they realized he was telling the story against them—they were the wicked farmers. But they were afraid of the crowd, so they left him and went away.
• Luke 20:6But if we say it was merely human, the people will stone us because they are convinced John was a prophet.”
• Luke 22:2The leading priests and teachers of religious law were plotting how to kill Jesus, but they were afraid of the people’s reaction.
• John 9:22His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders, who had announced that anyone saying Jesus was the Messiah would be expelled from the synagogue.
• Acts 5:26The captain went with his Temple guards and arrested the apostles, but without violence, for they were afraid the people would stone them.
• Mark 6:20for Herod respected John; and knowing that he was a good and holy man, he protected him. Herod was greatly disturbed whenever he talked with John, but even so, he liked to listen to him.
• John 5:35John was like a burning and shining lamp, and you were excited for a while about his message.
• John 10:41And many followed him. “John didn’t perform miraculous signs,” they remarked to one another, “but everything he said about this man has come 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