Mark 11:32

Verse

But if we say, ‘From men’...” they were afraid of the people, for they all held that John truly was a prophet.

American Standard Version (1901)

But should we say, From men—they feared the people: for all verily held John to be a prophet.

But if we say, From men — they were in fear of the people, because all took John to be truly a prophet.

But if we say, it's of human origin, well…” They were afraid of the crowd, because everyone believed that John was a true prophet.

Geneva Bible 1599

But if we say, Of men, we feare the people: for all men counted Iohn, that he was a Prophet in deede.

King James (Authorized) Version

But if we shall say, Of men; they feared the people: for all men counted John, that he was a prophet indeed.

One Unity Resource Bible

If we should say, ‘From men’”— they feared the people, for all held John [Yah is gracious] to really be a prophet.

Plain English Version

But we can’t say that people told him to do it.” You see, those leaders were frightened of the people there. They knew that the people believed that John was God’s man. So if those leaders said that John wasn’t God’s man, then the people might hit them.

Translation for Translators

On the other hand, if we say that it was people who authorized John, then what will happen to us?” They were afraid to say that about where John got his authority, because they knew that the people would be very angry with them. They knew that all the people truly believed that John was a prophet whom God had sent.

Unlocked Literal Bible

But if we say, 'From men,' ... .” They were afraid of the people, for everyone was convinced that John was a prophet.

Noah Webster Bible

But if we shall say, from men; they feared the people: for all men counted John that he was a prophet indeed.

World English Bible

If we should say, ‘From men’”—they feared the people, for all held John to really be a prophet.

Young's Literal Translation

But if we may say, From men,' — they were fearing the people, for all were holding John that he was indeed a prophet;

Context

Jesus’ Authority Challenged

³¹They deliberated among themselves what they should answer: “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will ask, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’³²But if we say, ‘From men’...” they were afraid of the people, for they all held that John truly was a prophet. ³³So they answered, “We do not know.” And Jesus replied, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.”

Summary

In Mark 11:32, Jesus responds to the chief priests, scribes, and elders who question His authority by posing a counter-question about the authority of John the Baptist. By doing so, Jesus exposes their hypocrisy and unwillingness to acknowledge the truth. This interaction reveals the religious leaders' fear of losing their power and influence, leading them to avoid giving a direct answer. Jesus' wisdom and discernment are evident as He navigates this confrontation with grace and truth, ultimately challenging the religious elite to reflect on their own motives and beliefs.

Commentary

Adam Clarke
John Gill

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

They feared the people - Or rather, We fear, etc. Instead of εφοβουντο, they feared; the Codex Bezae, seven others, later Syriac, Arabic, Coptic, Ethiopic, Armenian, Vulgate, and all the Itala, read φοβουμεν, or φοβουμεθα. The common reading appearing to me quite improper. We fear the people. Εαν, if, before ειπωμεν, we shall say, is omitted by ABCEFGHLS, and more than fifty others. Bengel leaves it out of the text, and puts a note of interrogation after Εξ ανθρωπων; and then the whole passage reads thus: But shall we say, Of men? They feared the people, etc. This change renders the adoption of φοβουμεν, we fear, unnecessary. Several critics prefer this mode of distinguishing the text. However the critics may be puzzled with the text, the scribes, chief priests, and elders were worse puzzled with our Lord's question. They must convict themselves or tell a most palpable falsehood. - They told the lie, and so escaped for the present. 1. Envy, malice, and double dealing have always a difficult part to act, and are ultimately confounded by their own projects and ruined by their own operations. On the other hand, simplicity and sincerity are not obliged to use a mask, but always walk in a plain way. 2. The case of the barren fig-tree which our Lord cursed has been pitifully misunderstood and misapplied. The whole account of this transaction, as stated above, I believe to be correct; it is so much in our Lord's usual manner that the propriety of it will scarcely be doubted. He was ever acting the part of the philosopher, moralist, and divine, as well as that of the Savior of sinners. In his hand, every providential occurrence and every object of nature, became a means of instruction: the stones of the desert, the lilies of the field, the fowls of heaven, the beasts of the forest, fruitful and unfruitful trees, with every ordinary occurrence, were so many grand texts, from which he preached the most illuminating and impressive sermons, for the instruction and salvation of his audience. This wisdom and condescension cannot be sufficiently admired. But shall the example of the fruitless fig tree be lost on us as well as on the Jews? God forbid! Let us therefore take heed, lest having been so long unfruitful, God should say, Let no fruit appear on thee hereafter for ever! and in consequence of this, we wither and die away! See Clarke on Mar 11:27 (note). Next: Mark Chapter 12

Mark 11:32

Jesus’ Authority Challenged

Scripture
Sermons
Commentary

Berean Standard Bible

But if we say, ‘From men’...” they were afraid of the people, for they all held that John truly was a prophet.

American Standard Version (1901)

But should we say, From men—they feared the people: for all verily held John to be a prophet.

Bible in Basic English

But if we say, From men — they were in fear of the people, because all took John to be truly a prophet.

Free Bible Version

But if we say, it's of human origin, well…” They were afraid of the crowd, because everyone believed that John was a true prophet.

Geneva Bible 1599

But if we say, Of men, we feare the people: for all men counted Iohn, that he was a Prophet in deede.

King James (Authorized) Version

But if we shall say, Of men; they feared the people: for all men counted John, that he was a prophet indeed.

One Unity Resource Bible

If we should say, ‘From men’”— they feared the people, for all held John [Yah is gracious] to really be a prophet.

Plain English Version

Translation for Translators

Unlocked Literal Bible

But if we say, 'From men,' ... .” They were afraid of the people, for everyone was convinced that John was a prophet.

Noah Webster Bible

But if we shall say, from men; they feared the people: for all men counted John that he was a prophet indeed.

World English Bible

If we should say, ‘From men’”—they feared the people, for all held John to really be a prophet.

Young's Literal Translation

But if we may say, From men,' — they were fearing the people, for all were holding John that he was indeed a prophet;

Adam Clarke
John Gill

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

Mark 11:32

Verse

Context

Jesus’ Authority Challenged

Summary

Commentary

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

John Gill Bible Commentary

Mark 11:32

Jesus’ Authority Challenged

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

John Gill Bible Commentary