Mark 11:30

30 The baptism of John--was [it] from heaven or from men? 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 and said to him, "By what authority are you doing these [things], or who gave you this authority that you do these [things]?"

29 So Jesus said to them, "I will ask you one question. Answer me and I will tell you by what authority I am doing these [things].

30 The baptism of John--was [it] from heaven or from men? Answer me!"

31 And they began to discuss [this] with one another, saying, "What should we say? If we say 'From heaven,' he will say, 'Why then did you not believe him?'

32 But if we say, 'From men'"--they were afraid of the crowd, because they all looked upon John {as truly a prophet}.