Mark 11:31

31 And they thought in them selves sayinge: yf we shall saye from heven: he will saye why then dyd ye not beleve 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 Iesus answered and sayde vnto them: I will also axe of you a certayne thinge: and answere ye me and I wyll tell you by what auctorite I do these thinges.

30 The baptyme of Iohn was it from heven or of men? Answer me.

31 And they thought in them selves sayinge: yf we shall saye from heven: he will saye why then dyd ye not beleve him?

32 but if we shall saye of me: then feare we ye people. For all men counted Iohn that he was a verie Prophete.

33 And they answered and sayd vnto Iesu: we cannot tell. And Iesus answered and sayd vnto them: nether wyll I tell you by what auctorite I do these thynges.