Matthew 21 26

Matthew 21:26 kjv

But if we shall say, Of men; we fear the people; for all hold John as a prophet.

Matthew 21:26 nkjv

But if we say, 'From men,' we fear the multitude, for all count John as a prophet."

Matthew 21:26 niv

But if we say, 'Of human origin'?we are afraid of the people, for they all hold that John was a prophet."

Matthew 21:26 esv

But if we say, 'From man,' we are afraid of the crowd, for they all hold that John was a prophet."

Matthew 21:26 nlt

But if we say it was merely human, we'll be mobbed because the people believe John was a prophet."

Matthew 21 verses

Matthew 21 26 Meaning

Matthew 21:26 presents the internal struggle and calculation of the chief priests and elders as they contemplate their response to Jesus' question about John the Baptist's authority. It reveals their self-preserving fear of the populace rather than a sincere search for truth. They feared confessing John's divine commission ("from heaven") as it would then bind them to acknowledge Jesus' authority, which they rejected. Their fear of human opinion outweighed their responsibility to acknowledge God's truth and His messenger.

Matthew 21 26 Context

This verse is part of a direct confrontation between Jesus and the religious authorities in the Jerusalem Temple. Following Jesus' triumphal entry (Mt 21:1-11), His cleansing of the Temple (Mt 21:12-17), and cursing of the fig tree (Mt 21:18-22), the chief priests and elders approach Him, challenging His authority to do these things (Mt 21:23). Instead of directly answering, Jesus poses a counter-question about the origin of John the Baptist's baptism: was it "from heaven or from men?" (Mt 21:25). Matthew 21:26 records their private deliberation, revealing their motive for not acknowledging John's divine authority. Their refusal to answer stems not from ignorance but from political and self-preservational calculations.

Matthew 21 26 Word analysis

• "But if" (Εὰν δὲ - Ean de): This conjunction introduces a hypothetical alternative and signifies the continuation of their internal debate. It marks a shift from the previous line of reasoning ("If we say, 'From heaven'...") to considering the other option, which reveals their strategic calculation.

• "we say" (εἴπωμεν - eipōmen): First person plural, indicating the collective thought and shared dilemma among the chief priests and elders. It highlights their unified concern for their own status and safety.

• "‘From men,’" (ἐξ ἀνθρώπων - ex anthrōpōn): Signifies a human, rather than divine, origin. If John's ministry was merely human, it would diminish his spiritual authority and allow them to disregard his message and John's testimony to Jesus. This option implies rejecting John as a true prophet of God.

• "we are afraid" (φοβούμεθα - phoboumetha): From the Greek phobeo, meaning to be afraid, terrified, or to dread. This is not reverence or awe for God, but a worldly, self-preservational fear of repercussions from people. Their fear is rooted in self-interest and image protection.

• "of the multitude" (τὸν ὄχλον - ton ochlon): Refers to the common people, the masses. This ochlos frequently followed Jesus and John and represented a significant public opinion force. The leaders' concern for public perception indicates their priority of social standing over spiritual truth.

• "for" (γὰρ - gar): A conjunction introducing the reason or explanation for their fear.

• "all hold" (πάντες ἔχουσιν - pantes echousin): "All" (from pas) signifies universal agreement or widespread popular conviction among the people. "Hold" (from echō) here means to regard, consider, or strongly believe. It expresses the firm public perception and consensus about John.

• "John as a prophet" (Ἰωάννην ὡς προφήτην - Iōannēn hōs prophētēn): "Prophet" (προφήτης - prophētēs) refers to a divinely inspired messenger who speaks God's word. The people held John in high regard as a legitimate spokesperson for God. To contradict this would risk public outcry and potential revolt.

• "But if we say, ‘From men,’ we are afraid of the multitude": This phrase exposes the leaders' tactical and calculating approach. They are not concerned with the theological truth or God's will but with the pragmatic consequences of their answer on their own authority and public standing. Their motivation is self-preservation through avoidance of social and political unrest, demonstrating a corrupt heart that prioritizes human respect over divine truth.

• "for all hold John as a prophet": This part explains the immensity of the leaders' dilemma. John's prophetic status was deeply ingrained in the popular consciousness, validating his ministry. This common belief meant that if the leaders dismissed John's authority as merely human, they would clash directly with the strong and pervasive popular opinion, risking not just public disfavor but outright rejection of their own authority by the people they claimed to lead.

Matthew 21 26 Bonus section

The chief priests and elders, by framing their dilemma in Matthew 21:26, inadvertently validate John's prophetic status through their very fear of public opinion. Their hesitation demonstrates the immense impact and widely acknowledged divine commissioning of John the Baptist, which they themselves could not overtly deny. This verse underscores the pervasive human tendency to prioritize social reputation and political stability over divine truth. It serves as a sharp indictment of religious leadership that acts out of fear of its followers rather than genuine conviction and faithfulness to God. Their refusal to give an honest answer leads directly to Jesus' parables (the Two Sons, the Wicked Vinedressers, the Wedding Feast), which further expose their rejection of God's messengers and their impending judgment.

Matthew 21 26 Commentary

Matthew 21:26 encapsulates the core spiritual sickness of the religious leaders: profound hypocrisy driven by self-preservation and fear of man rather than the fear of God. Jesus' brilliant counter-question about John's authority perfectly exposes their hearts. They understood that acknowledging John as a true prophet from God would inevitably lead to acknowledging Jesus, whom John proclaimed as the Messiah. Denying John's divine authority, however, would put them at odds with the vast majority of the people, who revered John. Their decision-making process, described in this verse, is devoid of spiritual discernment or moral courage. It is purely pragmatic, seeking to navigate a difficult situation without losing their standing or inciting a riot. This moral cowardice highlights their spiritual bankruptcy and demonstrates why they ultimately could not receive the truth that Jesus embodied. This dilemma forces them into the position of answering, "We do not know," which served as a clear admission of their spiritual incapacitation and justified Jesus' subsequent refusal to answer their initial question about His own authority.