Bible Strands
Mark 11:31
They deliberated among themselves what they should answer: “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will ask, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The religious leaders are answering Jesus’ direct question about the origin of John’s baptism. They are caught between acknowledging divine authority and provoking the crowd that recognized John as a prophet.
The words — The text records διελογίζοντο (dielogizonto), meaning “they were reasoning” or deliberating among themselves. This verb describes their calculated weighing of two mutually damaging responses.
The thread — Jesus frames the identical dilemma in Matthew 21:25, where the same leaders face the trap. Matthew 21:31 later contrasts their evasion with the tax collectors who accepted John’s message.
Why it lands — The passage forces a reader to weigh the cost of honest acknowledgment against the fear of human opposition. It demands a clear choice between submitting to divine authority or managing public opinion.
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 did ye not believe him?
Cross-references
- Matthew 11:7 As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swaying in the wind?
- Matthew 21:25 What was the source of John’s baptism? Was it from heaven or from men?” They deliberated among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will ask, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’
- Matthew 21:31 Which of the two did the will of his father?” “The first,” they answered. Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God before you.
- 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 1:29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!
- John 1:34 I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God.”
- John 1:36 When he saw Jesus walking by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!”
- John 3:29 The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom stands and listens for him, and is overjoyed to hear the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete.