Matthew 21:27

"But if we say, ‘From men,’ we fear the multitude, for all hold John as a prophet.”"

Key Reflection

This statement highlights the disciples' fear of public opinion and their reluctance to speak freely about John's status, fearing the backlash from those who revered him as a prophet. Their hesitation underscores the tension between religious authority and the people's perception, reflecting the complex dynamics at play in Jesus’ time.

From the Scholars: Barnes' Notes

Verse 27. We cannot tell. This was a direct falsehood. They could have told; and it should have been, we will not tell. There was no reason but that why they did not tell. The reason probably why they would not acknowledge that John was a prophet was that, if they did, they saw he could easily show them by what authority he did those things; i.e., as Messiah. John predicted him, pointed him out, baptized him, came as his forerunner, to fulfil the prophecies. If they acknowledged one, they must the other. In this way our Saviour was about to lead these crafty men to answer their own question, to their own confusion, about his authority.

More from Matthew 21

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47

Go deeper with Bible.talk - your AI Bible study companion