Bible Strands
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?’
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Jesus asks the religious leaders to identify the origin of John’s baptism immediately after demanding they answer His question about His own authority (Matthew 21:24). The leaders begin deliberating their response while weighing the crowd’s reaction, as noted in Matthew 21:26.
The words — The Greek baptisma (G908) refers to John’s ritual, pothen (G4159) asks for its source, and ex ouranou (from heaven) establishes the binary choice presented in the question.
The thread — The inquiry into John’s authority and heavenly origin intersects with the gospel narratives in Matthew 3:1 and Mark 1:1, while the broader theme of God’s complete knowledge of human deliberation appears in 1 John 3:20.
Why it lands — The text presents a forced choice between divine commission and human approval, requiring the reader to identify which authority governs their own commitments.
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
The baptism of John, whence was it? from heaven, or of men? And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say unto us, Why did ye not then believe him?
Cross-references
- 1 John 3:20 Even if our hearts condemn us, God is greater than our hearts, and He knows all things.
- Mark 1:1 This is the beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
- Matthew 3:1 In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea
- Luke 20:5 They deliberated among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will ask, ‘Why did you not believe him?’
- 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 3:18 Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.
- John 10:25 “I already told you,” Jesus replied, “but you did not believe. The works I do in My Father’s name testify on My behalf.
- 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 17:12 But I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but have done to him whatever they wished. In the same way, the Son of Man will suffer at their hands.”
- Mark 11:27 After their return to Jerusalem, Jesus was walking in the temple courts, and the chief priests, scribes, and elders came up to Him.