Bible Strands
Mark 11:32
But if we say, ‘From men’...” they were afraid of the people, for they all held that John truly was a prophet.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The religious leaders deliberate Jesus' question about John the Baptist's authority and respond to Him in the temple courts. They fear the assembled crowd because the people regard John as a genuine prophet.
The words — ἐφοβοῦντο (ephobounto) means "they were afraid," and ὄχλον (ochlon) translates literally to "crowd." These terms describe the leaders' calculation of public pressure over theological truth.
The thread — This dynamic of religious leaders fearing the crowd's prophetic regard appears in Matthew 14:5 regarding Herod, Matthew 21:46 concerning Jesus, and Mark 12:12 where the leaders seek to arrest Him but fear the people.
Why it lands — The passage requires readers to recognize how fear of public opinion can override honest theological inquiry. It demands a clear-eyed assessment of whether one's convictions are shaped by truth or by the threat of social backlash.
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
But if we shall say, Of men; they feared the people: for all men counted John, that he was a prophet indeed.
Cross-references
- Matthew 14:5 Although Herod wanted to kill John, he was afraid of the people, because they regarded John as a prophet.
- Matthew 21:46 Although they wanted to arrest Him, they were afraid of the crowds, because the people regarded Him as a prophet.
- Mark 12:12 At this, the leaders sought to arrest Jesus, for they knew that He had spoken this parable against them. But fearing the crowd, they left Him and went away.
- Matthew 3:5 People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region around the Jordan.
- Matthew 11:9 What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.
- 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.
- Mark 6:20 because Herod feared John and protected him, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man. When he heard John’s words, he was greatly perplexed; yet he listened to him gladly.
- Luke 7:26 What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.
- Luke 20:6 But if we say, ‘From men,’ all the people will stone us, for they are convinced that John was a prophet.”
- Luke 20:19 When the scribes and chief priests realized that Jesus had spoken this parable against them, they sought to arrest Him that very hour. But they were afraid of the people.