Luke 20:7

Luke 20:7, in plain English

So they take the coward's way out: 'We don't know.' The supposed experts on God's activity claim they can't recognize it. That says everything.

Why it's here

These are the men who are supposed to discern what's from God. If they can't tell, who can? Their answer disqualifies them from the very authority they're trying to protect.

Who's speaking

The leaders give a deliberately vague answer that actually reveals more than either honest option would have.

Where it sits in the story

The religious experts claim ignorance about the most basic question of their job: is this from God or not? In trying to protect themselves, they expose themselves completely.

The scholarly reading

The leaders retreat to the only remaining option: 'We don't know.' This non-answer is an admission of intellectual dishonesty — they choose agnosticism as a political strategy rather than a genuine position.

Language and setting

Their professed ignorance is strategic, not genuine. As the recognized theological experts of Israel, claiming ignorance about John's prophetic status is itself a damning admission of failure in their role.

Voice

The religious leaders give a deliberately evasive non-answer to avoid the dilemma Jesus created.

Significance

The supposed experts on divine authority claim they can't identify it. Their non-answer says more than either alternative would have — it reveals they've chosen self-preservation over truth.

5They deliberated among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will ask, ‘Why did you not believe him?’

6But if we say, ‘From men,’ all the people will stone us, for they are convinced that John was a prophet.”

7So they answered that they did not know where it was from.

8And Jesus replied, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.”

9Then He proceeded to tell the people this parable: “A man planted a vineyard, rented it out to some tenants, and went away for a long time.

Read all of Luke 20 — The religious leaders challenge Jesus' authority. He answers with a parable about murderous tenants that leaves them furious and afraid.