Mark 11:30

30 The baptism of John, was it from heaven or from men? give me an answer.

Mark 11:30 Meaning and Commentary

Mark 11:30

The baptism of John
The doctrine of which he was the first preacher, and the ordinance of which he was the first administrator:

was it from heaven, or of men?
was it of divine or of human institution?

answer me;
directly and plainly, without any shuffling, or evasion: it is a fair question, and may be answered; and the answer to it our Lord suggests would naturally lead to a proper one to their question; (See Gill on Matthew 21:25).

Mark 11:30 In-Context

28 And they said to him, By what authority do you do these things? or who gave you authority to do these things?

29 And Jesus said to them, I will put to you one question; give me an answer, and I will say by what authority I do these things.

30 The baptism of John, was it from heaven or from men? give me an answer.

31 And they gave thought to it among themselves, saying, If we say, From heaven; he will say, Why then did you not have faith in him?

32 But if we say, From men--they were in fear of the people, because all took John to be truly a prophet.