Bible Strands
Luke 20:5
They deliberated among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will ask, ‘Why did you not believe him?’
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The religious leaders privately deliberate their response to Jesus’ question about the origin of John’s baptism. They weigh the consequences of acknowledging John’s divine commission against the risk of public backlash.
The words — συνελογίσαντο (sunelogisanto) means “they reasoned” or “they deliberated,” capturing their calculated weighing of options. ἐὰν (ean) translates to “if,” establishing the conditional structure of their fear regarding Jesus’ anticipated follow-up.
The thread — Their hesitation mirrors the testimony about John recorded in John 1:15, John 1:30, and John 1:34, where his witness identifies Jesus as the surpassing Messiah. The leaders’ refusal to accept that testimony creates the logical trap Jesus exposes.
Why it lands — The text records the leaders’ explicit fear that acknowledging heaven will trigger Jesus’ demand for accountability. It requires readers to decide whether they will submit to divine questioning or prioritize self-preservation.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say, Why then believed ye him not?
Cross-references
- John 1:15 John testified concerning Him. He cried out, saying, “This is He of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because He was before me.’”
- John 1:30 This is He of whom I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because He was before me.’
- John 1:34 I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God.”
- John 3:26 So John’s disciples came to him and said, “Look, Rabbi, the One who was with you beyond the Jordan, the One you testified about—He is baptizing, and everyone is going to Him.”
- John 3:36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life. Whoever rejects the Son will not see life. Instead, the wrath of God remains on him.”
- John 5:33 You have sent to John, and he has testified to the truth.
- Acts 13:25 As John was completing his course, he said, ‘Who do you suppose I am? I am not that One. But there is One coming after me whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.’