Mark 11:31

31 Then they thought inside themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven, he will say, Why then did ye not believe him?

Mark 11:31 Meaning and Commentary

Mark 11:31

And they reasoned with themselves saying
Privately; perhaps, they withdrew at a little distance for a short time, and consulted among themselves what answer to return; and the amount of their reasonings were this;

if we shall say from heaven, he will say, why then did ye not
believe him?
that is, should they say that John had a divine commission for what he said and did, they were aware that Christ would reply, why did not ye give credit to him? and had you done so, seeing he testified of me, you would have had no occasion to have put the above question; (See Gill on Matthew 21:25).

Mark 11:31 In-Context

29 Then Jesus, answering, said unto them, I will also ask of you one word, and respond unto me, and I will tell you with what faculty I do these things.
30 The baptism of John, was it of heaven or of men? Respond unto me.
31 Then they thought inside themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven, he will say, Why then did ye not believe him?
32 But if we shall say, Of men, we fear the people, for everyone judged regarding John that he truly was a prophet.
33 And answering, they said unto Jesus, We do not know. And Jesus, answering, said unto them, Neither shall I tell you with what faculty I do these things.
The Jubilee Bible (from the Scriptures of the Reformation), edited by Russell M. Stendal, Copyright © 2000, 2001, 2010