The King Enters
But if we say, ‘From men,’ we are afraid of the people, for they all regard John as a prophet.” Matthew 21:26 · Berean Standard Bible
But they also think, 'If we say it was just human, the people will turn on us, because everyone believes John was a prophet.'
They're not searching for truth — they're calculating risk. And that's exactly the problem Jesus is exposing.
The leaders reveal that their decisions are driven by politics, not conviction.
They're trapped. Neither answer is safe. And their panic reveals what really drives them: fear, not faith.
The leaders also fear saying 'from men' because the people universally regard John as a prophet — political calculation, not truth, drives their deliberation.
Their reasoning reveals they are governed by fear of public opinion rather than by genuine theological inquiry.
The leaders consider the second option and reject it on political grounds.
Neither option works for them: truth condemns them, and denial risks the crowd's wrath. They are trapped by their own dishonesty.
24“I will also ask you one question,” Jesus replied, “and if you answer Me, I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things.
25What was the source of John’s baptism? Was it from heaven or from men?”
26But if we say, ‘From men,’ we are afraid of the people, for they all regard John as a prophet.”
27So they answered, “We do not know.”
28But what do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first one and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’
Read all of Matthew 21 — Jesus rides into Jerusalem on a donkey while the crowds shout hosanna. Within hours, he's overturning tables in the temple.
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