Devine Scripture

Matthew 21:25

What does Matthew 21:25 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 21:25 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 21:25 means

Jesus' counter-question focused on John the Baptist's authority: "The baptism of John, whence was it? from heaven or from men?" This question trapped the religious leaders. If they said 'from heaven,' they would expose their unbelief in John's message. If they said 'from men,' they risked the wrath of the multitude, who revered John as a prophet. Their internal debate revealed their fear of man over fear of God.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

The baptism of John, whence was it? from heaven or from men? And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say unto us, Why then did ye not believe him?

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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?

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

The baptism of John, whence was it? from heaven or from men? And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say unto us, Why then did ye not believe him?

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

The baptism of John, where did it come from? from heaven or from men? And they were reasoning among themselves, saying, If we say, From heaven; he will say to us, Why then did you not have faith in him?

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

the baptism of John, whence was it? --from heaven, or from men?' And they were reasoning with themselves, saying, `If we should say, From heaven; he will say to us, Wherefore, then, did ye not believe him?

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

The baptism of John, whence was it? From heaven or from men? But they thought within themselves, saying:

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

The baptism of John, whence was it? of heaven or of men? And they reasoned among themselves, saying, If we should say, Of heaven, he will say to us, Why then have ye not believed him?

Context

This verse directly reveals the content of Jesus' strategic counter-question and then details the internal debate among the chief priests and elders. Their struggle to answer, driven by fear, immediately precedes their feigned ignorance. This moment highlights their hypocrisy and lack of genuine spiritual discernment, setting the stage for their ultimate refusal to answer.

v.24And Jesus answered and said unto them, I also will ask you one question, which if ye tell me, I likewise will tell you by what authority I do these things.

v.25This passage

v.26But if we shall say, From men; we fear the multitude; for all hold John as a prophet.

Cross references

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

  • Matthew 3:1

    And in those days cometh John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judæa, saying,

  • John 1:25

    And they asked him, and said unto him, Why then baptizest thou, if thou art not the Christ, neither Elijah, neither the prophet?

  • 1 John 3:20

    because if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.

  • Mark 1:1

    The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

  • John 1:15

    John beareth witness of him, and crieth, saying, This was he of whom I said, He that cometh after me is become before me: for he was before me.

  • Luke 1:67

    And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying,

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