Mark 11:30

30 Did John's right to baptize come from heaven or from humans? Answer me!"

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 They asked him, "What gives you the right to do these things? Who told you that you could do this?"

29 Jesus said to them, "I'll ask you a question. Answer me, and then I'll tell you why I have the right to do these things.

30 Did John's right to baptize come from heaven or from humans? Answer me!"

31 They discussed this among themselves. They said, "If we say, 'from heaven,' he will ask, 'Then why didn't you believe him?'

32 But if we say, 'from humans,' [then what will happen]?" They were afraid of the people. All the people thought of John as a true prophet.