Devine Scripture

Luke 20:6

What does Luke 20:6 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 20:6 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 20:6 means

The leaders further considered the consequences of denying John's divine authority. They feared the people, who were convinced that John was a true prophet from God. To declare John's baptism as merely "from men" would provoke the crowd to stone them, likely for blasphemy or disrespecting a divine messenger. This shows their greater fear of the people's reaction than of God's judgment. Their concern was not about truth or divine revelation, but about maintaining their popular standing and avoiding public condemnation, further highlighting their hypocrisy and lack of genuine spiritual concern.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

But if we shall say, From men; all the people will stone us: for they are persuaded that John was a prophet.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

But and if we say, Of men; all the people will stone us: for they be persuaded that John was a prophet.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

But if we shall say, From men; all the people will stone us: for they are persuaded that John was a prophet.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

But if we say, Of men; we will be stoned by the people, for they are certain that John was a prophet.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and if we may say, From men, all the people will stone us, for they are having been persuaded John to be a prophet.'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

But if we say, of men: the whole people will stone us. For they are persuaded that John was a prophet.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

but if we should say, Of men, the whole people will stone us, for they are persuaded that John was a prophet.

Context

This verse continues the internal deliberation of the religious leaders, specifically highlighting their fear of the popular opinion regarding John the Baptist. It presents the second horn of their dilemma, making it clear that a direct denial of John's divine authority is also politically untenable. This thought process leads directly to their evasive answer, which will be articulated in the subsequent verse.

v.5And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say, Why did ye not believe him?

v.6This passage

v.7And they answered, that they knew not whence it was.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • John 10:41

    And many came unto him; and they said, John indeed did no sign: but all things whatsoever John spake of this man were true.

  • Luke 7:26

    But what went ye out to see? a prophet? Yea, I say unto you, and much more than a prophet.

  • Matthew 14:5

    And when he would have put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet.

  • Matthew 21:46

    And when they sought to lay hold on him, they feared the multitudes, because they took him for a prophet.

  • Mark 12:12

    And they sought to lay hold on him; and they feared the multitude; for they perceived that he spake the parable against them: and they left him, and went away.

  • Matthew 26:5

    But they said, Not during the feast, lest a tumult arise among the people.

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