Luke 20:4

4 Was the baptism of John from heaven or from men?"

Luke 20:4 Meaning and Commentary

Luke 20:4

The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men?
] This was a new ordinance, and John must have his authority for administering it either from God, or from men; and Christ is desirous to know from which he derived it in their opinion; suggesting, that by the same authority John, his forerunner, came baptizing, he himself came preaching and working miracles; (See Gill on Matthew 21:25).

Luke 20:4 In-Context

2 and said to him, "Tell us by what authority you do these things, or who it is that gave you this authority."
3 He answered them, "I also will ask you a question; now tell me,
4 Was the baptism of John from heaven or from men?"
5 And they discussed it with one another, saying, "If we say, 'From heaven,' he will say, 'Why did you not believe him?'
6 But if we say, 'From men,' all the people will stone us; for they are convinced that John was a prophet."
Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.