Matthew 21 25

Matthew 21:25 kjv

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?

Matthew 21:25 nkjv

The baptism of John?where was it from? From heaven or from men?" And they reasoned among themselves, saying, "If we say, 'From heaven,' He will say to us, 'Why then did you not believe him?'

Matthew 21:25 niv

John's baptism?where did it come from? Was it from heaven, or of human origin?" They discussed it among themselves and said, "If we say, 'From heaven,' he will ask, 'Then why didn't you believe him?'

Matthew 21:25 esv

The baptism of John, from where did it come? From heaven or from man?" And they discussed it among themselves, saying, "If we say, 'From heaven,' he will say to us, 'Why then did you not believe him?'

Matthew 21:25 nlt

"Did John's authority to baptize come from heaven, or was it merely human?" They talked it over among themselves. "If we say it was from heaven, he will ask us why we didn't believe John.

Matthew 21 verses

Matthew 21 25 Meaning

Matthew 21:25 presents Jesus' astute counter-question to the chief priests and elders, who challenged His authority. Instead of directly answering their query about His authority, Jesus poses a question concerning the origin of John the Baptist's authority. His question presents a clear dilemma: Was John's baptism "from heaven" (divine origin and authority) or "from men" (human origin and authority)? The verse then records the Jewish leaders' internal deliberation, revealing their fear of popular opinion and their unwillingness to acknowledge divine truth when it contradicted their self-interests, ultimately exposing their hypocrisy and unbelief.

Matthew 21 25 Context

Matthew chapter 21 opens with Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, where He is hailed by the crowds as the Son of David, fulfilling prophetic Scripture. Immediately following this, Jesus enters the temple and casts out the merchants and money changers, asserting His authority over God's house (Mt 21:12-17). This act directly challenged the authority of the chief priests and elders, who profited from these temple activities and supervised them. Having demonstrated miraculous power by healing the blind and lame in the temple and receiving praise from children, Jesus' actions provoke the religious leaders.

Therefore, Matthew 21:25 occurs as part of a direct confrontation between Jesus and the established religious authority of Jerusalem (the chief priests and the elders of the people), who approach Him in the temple court. Their question in the preceding verse, "By what authority do you do these things, and who gave you this authority?" (Mt 21:23), was designed to trap Jesus, either forcing Him to claim divine authority (which they could condemn as blasphemy) or to claim human authority (which would undermine His popular appeal). Jesus' counter-question about John's baptism cleverly turns the tables, exposing their hypocrisy and inability to answer truthfully due to their fear of the people, rather than fear of God.

Historically and culturally, the Jewish leadership (Sadducees and Pharisees represented here) placed immense value on traditional authority, rabbinical lineage, and the Levitical priesthood. A prophet's authority, like John's, was recognized by popular acclamation and divine confirmation, often challenging the established order. "From heaven" (ex ouranou) was a common circumlocution for "from God," used to avoid pronouncing the sacred name, yet it clearly invoked divine sanction. The leaders were acutely aware of public sentiment regarding John the Baptist, whom many believed to be a prophet (Mt 14:5), and their answer would determine their standing with the crowd. Their reluctance to answer truthfully underscores their concern for political expediency over spiritual integrity.

Matthew 21 25 Word analysis

• The baptism of John (τὸ βάπτισμα Ἰωάννου - to baptisma Iōannou):

  • The baptism: (to baptisma) Refers not merely to the act of immersion but encompasses John's entire ministry, his message of repentance, and the spiritual movement he led. It represents his authority to call people to a new spiritual path.
  • of John: (Iōannou) Refers to John the Baptist, known for his prophetic role as the forerunner of the Messiah. His widely recognized ministry served as a critical touchstone for both the people and the leaders.

• from where (πόθεν - pothen):

  • This interrogative adverb signifies "from what source," "by what origin," or "by what authority." Jesus isn't asking about a physical location but the ultimate derivation of John's legitimacy and power. It implicitly challenges the concept of authority itself, contrasting human versus divine.

• was it? (ἦν; - ēn?):

  • Imperfect tense of "to be." Implies a continuous state or an ongoing, recognized reality of John's ministry. It emphasizes that John's authority had been a public, undeniable fact that the leaders had already had to confront and evaluate.

• From heaven, (ἐξ οὐρανοῦ - ex ouranou):

  • From: (ex) Denotes source, origin, or derivation.
  • heaven: (ouranou) A Jewish idiom, a circumlocution for God Himself. To say "from heaven" is to assert divine authority, sanction, and empowerment. It means the source of John's authority was God.
  • This option acknowledges John as a divinely appointed prophet.

• or from men? (ἢ ἐξ ἀνθρώπων; - ē ex anthrōpōn?):

  • or: (ē) Presents the alternative, a stark contrast to "from heaven."
  • from men: (ex anthrōpōn) Implies human initiation, human appointment, human wisdom, or a movement based solely on human ingenuity or ambition, lacking divine authorization.
  • This option would classify John as merely another human teacher or sectarian leader, with no unique divine claim.

• And they reasoned (οἱ δὲ διελογίζοντο - hoi de diel ogizonto):

  • reasoned: (diel ogizonto) Imperfect tense of dialogizomai, "to reckon thoroughly," "to deliberate," "to ponder in one's mind." This shows an intense, inward calculation and debate. It reveals their strategic thinking and scheming rather than genuine theological inquiry.

• among themselves, (ἐν ἑαυτοῖς - en heautois):

  • Indicates an internal discussion or a huddle among the leaders, where they weighed the pros and cons of each answer, primarily concerning its impact on their public image and power.

• saying, (λέγοντες· - legontes):

  • The participle introduces their internal monologue, which they share aloud among their group.

• If we say, (Ἐὰν εἴπωμεν, - Ean eipōmen):

  • Conditional clause, introducing their hypothetical reasoning and the consequences of their potential answers.

• 'From heaven,' (Ἐξ οὐρανοῦ, - Ex ouranou):

  • Their first option, acknowledging divine origin for John's ministry.

• He will say to us, (ἐρεῖ ἡμῖν, - erei hēmin):

  • Refers to Jesus, predicting His direct counter-argument.

• 'Why then did you not believe him?' (Διὰ τί οὖν οὐκ ἐπιστεύσατε αὐτῷ; - Dia ti oun ouk episteusate autō?)

  • Why then: (Dia ti oun) An incisive, rhetorical question that would expose their hypocrisy.
  • did you not believe him?: (ouk episteusate autō?) The core indictment. If they admitted John's divine authority, Jesus' logical follow-up would expose their failure to obey God's clear messenger, implicitly connecting John's testimony to Himself. It would show their spiritual blindness and willful rejection of God's counsel (Lk 7:30).

Matthew 21 25 Bonus section

• A "Rabbinic Chess Match": This encounter is often described as a masterful example of rabbinic discourse, where truth is often brought out through questioning and counter-questioning, forcing an opponent into an inescapable logical corner. Jesus outmaneuvers His opponents without uttering a direct word about His own authority, making their silence speak volumes.
• The Problem of Unbelief: The ultimate issue was not a lack of evidence but a deliberate refusal to believe. John's ministry was accompanied by God's power and prophetic fulfillment. The leaders had witnessed enough to know John was from God but chose to harden their hearts. Their unbelief in John set the stage for their unbelief in Jesus.
• Echoes of Earlier Rejection: This interaction connects to a broader theme in Scripture where God's messengers are consistently rejected by those in positions of power, yet often embraced by the common people (e.g., the prophets of the Old Testament, such as Jeremiah and Isaiah).
• Jesus as the Discerner of Hearts: Jesus’ question penetrates to the core of their motivations. He exposes their calculating hearts and their fear of human opinion (prov. 29:25) more than divine judgment, rather than directly answering their shallow inquiry.

Matthew 21 25 Commentary

Matthew 21:25 showcases Jesus' profound wisdom and His masterful use of questions to expose the heart. When challenged by the religious authorities, who sought to trap Him regarding His own authority, Jesus refused to be drawn into their manipulative game. Instead, He redirects their focus to John the Baptist, a figure whose divine prophetic status was widely acknowledged by the Jewish populace but often rejected by the religious establishment.

Jesus' question created an immediate and unavoidable dilemma for His interrogators. If they conceded that John's authority was "from heaven," they would then have to account for their unbelief in John's message—a message that pointed directly to Jesus as the Messiah. This would highlight their spiritual inconsistency and rejection of God's clear word. If, however, they asserted that John's authority was "from men," they risked a violent reaction from the crowds, who esteemed John as a prophet (Mt 14:5; 21:26).

Their internal debate, vividly portrayed in the verse, reveals their chief concern: not the truth, nor obedience to God, but managing public perception and preserving their own authority and social standing. Their spiritual blindness prevented them from recognizing God's work, whether through John or through Jesus, and their pride led them to reject divine counsel for human convenience. Jesus' question deftly turned their attempt to discredit Him into a public demonstration of their own lack of integrity, spiritual discernment, and ultimate rejection of God's appointed messengers. This scene serves as a powerful reminder that genuine authority is validated by God and that those who prioritize human accolades over divine truth will inevitably stumble.