Luke 20:5

5 And they discussed it with one another, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven, ’ he will say, ¹‘Why did you not believe him? ’

Luke 20:5 Meaning and Commentary

Luke 20:5

And they reasoned with themselves
Or "they thought with themselves", as the Syriac version; or "within themselves", as the Vulgate Latin, though they did not express it; or "one with another", as the Arabic version; they took counsel together, and debated the matter among themselves, and reasoned after this manner:

saying, if we shall say from heaven;
which was what, in their own consciences, they believed to be true,

he will say, why then believed ye him not?
in what he said concerning the Messiah; which if they had, as they should, there would have been no reason for such a question they had put; (See Gill on Matthew 21:25).

Luke 20:5 In-Context

3 He answered them, “I also will ask you a question. Now tell me,

4 was the baptism of John from heaven or from man? ”

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 man, ’ all the people will stone us to death, for they are convinced that John was a prophet. ”

7 So they answered that they did not know where it came from.

Cross References

• 1. 20:5 ch. 7:30; Matt. 21:32