Mark 11:31

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?

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 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.

33 And they said in answer to Jesus, We have no idea. And Jesus said to them, And I will not say to you by what authority I do these things.