Luke 20:4
What does Luke 20:4 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 20:4 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 20:4 means
Jesus' counter-question about John the Baptist's baptism—was it "from heaven, or from men?"—was a brilliant strategic move. By asking this, Jesus forced the religious leaders to consider the source of John's authority, which was inextricably linked to His own. John had publicly affirmed Jesus as the Messiah, the Lamb of God. To acknowledge John's divine authority would implicitly validate Jesus' claims and His authority. To deny John's divine authority would risk the wrath of the people, who largely believed John to be a prophet of God. This question placed them in an impossible dilemma.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or from men?
KJV
King James Version · 1611The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men?
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or from men?
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949The baptism of John, was it from heaven or of men?
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862the baptism of John, from heaven was it, or from men?'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men?
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890The baptism of John, was it of heaven or of men?
Context
This precise question about John the Baptist immediately follows Jesus' statement that He would ask them a question. It is the key to His counter-strategy, moving the focus from His authority to theirs, and specifically to their relationship with divine revelation through a recognized prophet. The leaders' response to this question, framed in the following verses, will reveal their true motives and fear of the people.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Matthew 17:11
And he answered and said, Elijah indeed cometh, and shall restore all things:
- Luke 15:18
I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight:
- John 1:6
There came a man, sent from God, whose name was John.
- Luke 7:28
I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there is none greater than John: yet he that is but little in the kingdom of God is greater than he.
- Matthew 11:7
And as these went their way, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to behold? a reed shaken with the wind?
- Daniel 4:25
that thou shalt be driven from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and thou shalt be made to eat grass as oxen, and shalt be wet with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over thee; till thou know that the Most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.
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