Matthew 21:25
A plain-spoken deep dive on this verse. Read the chapter →
What was the source of John’s baptism? Was it from heaven or from men?” They deliberated among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will ask, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
The baptism of John--meaning his whole mission and ministry, of which baptism was the proper character. whence was it? from heaven, or of men?--What wisdom there was in this way of meeting their question will best appear by their reply. If we shall say, From heaven; he will say unto us, Why did ye not then believe him?--"Why did ye not believe the testimony which he bore to Me, as the promised and expected Messiah?" for that was the burden of John's whole testimony.
Open source ↗21:25 John’s ministry, like Jesus’ (see 3:1, 5-6), was controversial, especially after John’s public denouncement of the sins of Herod Antipas (see 14:4). The leaders did not want to acknowledge that John’s ministry was from God, since they had refused to believe John by repenting of their sins (3:2) and accepting Jesus as the Messiah (John 1:29-34).
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
Even if our hearts condemn us, God is greater than our hearts, and He knows all things.
They deliberated among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will ask, ‘Why did you not believe him?’
Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.
John testified concerning Him. He cried out, saying, “This is He of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because He was before me.’”
There came a man who was sent from God. His name was John.