Mattheüs 21:26

26 En indien wij zeggen: Uit de mensen: zo vrezen wij de schare; want zij houden allen Johannes voor een profeet.

Mattheüs 21:26 Meaning and Commentary

Matthew 21:26

But if we shall say of men
They reasoned with themselves, that should they give their answer in this form, and say, that the ministry and baptism of John, were merely human, and what he took up of himself, or which he performed by an authority derived from men,

we fear the people;
that were then upon the spot, in the temple; who, as many of them were now the followers of Christ, more of them had been the admirers of John, and probably had been baptized by him: wherefore the sanhedrim were afraid of them, lest if they should affirm, that the authority by which John acted was human, they would immediately rise up against them; and, as Luke says, "stone" them: so high a veneration had they for him, and so dear was his memory still unto them.

For all held John as a prophet.
These are the words of the high priests and elders, and not of the evangelist, expressing the reason of their fears from the people, who, in general, were thoroughly persuaded, as Luke expresses it, and firmly believed that John was a prophet, that was raised up, and sent immediately by God; and did not derive his authority and commission to preach and baptize from any man, or set of men, whatever.

Mattheüs 21:26 In-Context

24 En Jezus, antwoordende, zeide tot hen: Ik zal u ook een woord vragen, hetwelk indien gij Mij zult zeggen, zo zal Ik u ook zeggen, door wat macht Ik deze dingen doe.

25 De doop van Johannes, van waar was die, uit de hemel, of uit de mensen? En zij overlegden bij zichzelven en zeiden: Indien wij zeggen: Uit de hemel; zo zal Hij ons zeggen: Waarom hebt gij hem dan niet geloofd?

26 En indien wij zeggen: Uit de mensen: zo vrezen wij de schare; want zij houden allen Johannes voor een profeet.

27 En zij, Jezus antwoordende, zeiden: Wij weten het niet. En Hij zeide tot hen: Zo zeg Ik u ook niet, door wat macht Ik dit doe.

28 Maar wat dunkt u? Een mens had twee zonen, en gaande tot den eersten, zeide: Zoon! ga heen, werk heden in mijn wijngaard.