Mark 11:30

30 the baptism of John -- from heaven was it? 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 they say to him, `By what authority dost thou these things? and who gave thee this authority that these things thou mayest do?'

29 And Jesus answering said to them, `I will question you -- I also -- one word; and answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things;

30 the baptism of John -- from heaven was it? or from men? answer me.'

31 And they were reasoning with themselves, saying, `If we may say, From heaven, he will say, Wherefore, then, did ye not believe him?

32 But if we may say, From men,' -- they were fearing the people, for all were holding John that he was indeed a prophet;