Luke 20:6
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But if we say, ‘From men,’ all the people will stone us, for they are convinced that John was a prophet.”
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
THE AUTHORITY OF JESUS QUESTIONED, AND HIS REPLY--PARABLE OF THE WICKED HUSBANDMEN. (Luke 20:1-19) these things--particularly the clearing of the temple.
Open source ↗In this chapter we have, I. Christ's answer to the chief priests' question concerning his authority (Luk 20:1-8). II. The parable of the vineyard let out to the unjust and rebellious husbandmen (Luk 20:9-19). III. Christ's answer to the question proposed to him concerning the lawfulness of paying tribute to Caesar (Luk 20:20-26). IV. His vindication of that great fundamental doctrine of the Jewish and Christian institutes - the resurrection of the dead and the future state, from the foolish cavils of the Sadducees (Luk 20:27-38). V. His puzzling the scribes with a question concerning the Messiah's being the Son of David (Luk 20:39-44). VI. The caution he gave his disciples to take heed of the scribes (Luk 20:45-47). All which passages we had before in Matthew and Mark, and therefore need not enlarge upon them here, unless on those particulars which we had not there.
Open source ↗20:6 the people will stone us: Stoning was the penalty for blasphemy (Lev 24:14-15), idolatry (Lev 20:2; Deut 13:10), and other sins of defiance against God. The people might have regarded rejection of an authentic prophet as blasphemy deserving of stoning.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
Cross-references
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But if we say, ‘From men,’ we are afraid of the people, for they all regard John as a prophet.”
What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.
At that point, the captain went with the officers and brought the apostles—but not by force, for fear the people would stone them.
Although Herod wanted to kill John, he was afraid of the people, because they regarded John as a prophet.
At this, the leaders sought to arrest Jesus, for they knew that He had spoken this parable against them. But fearing the crowd, they left Him and went away.
“But not during the feast,” they said, “or there may be a riot among the people.”
Many came to Him and said, “Although John never performed a sign, everything he said about this man was true.”
And you, child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for Him,
Although they wanted to arrest Him, they were afraid of the crowds, because the people regarded Him as a prophet.