Luke 20:6
New International Version
But if we say, ‘Of human origin,’ all the people will stone us, because they are persuaded that John was a prophet.”

New Living Translation
But if we say it was merely human, the people will stone us because they are convinced John was a prophet.”

English Standard Version
But if we say, ‘From man,’ all the people will stone us to death, for they are convinced that John was a prophet.”

Berean Standard Bible
But if we say, ‘From men,’ all the people will stone us, for they are convinced that John was a prophet.”

Berean Literal Bible
But if we should say, 'From men,' all the people will stone us, for they are having been persuaded John to be a prophet."

King James Bible
But and if we say, Of men; all the people will stone us: for they be persuaded that John was a prophet.

New King James Version
But if we say, ‘From men,’ all the people will stone us, for they are persuaded that John was a prophet.”

New American Standard Bible
But if we say, ‘From men,’ all the people will stone us to death, since they are convinced that John was a prophet.”

NASB 1995
“But if we say, ‘From men,’ all the people will stone us to death, for they are convinced that John was a prophet.”

NASB 1977
“But if we say, ‘From men,’ all the people will stone us to death, for they are convinced that John was a prophet.”

Legacy Standard Bible
But if we say, ‘From men,’ all the people will stone us to death, for they are convinced that John was a prophet.”

Amplified Bible
But if we say, ‘From men,’ all the people will stone us to death, for they are firmly convinced that John was a prophet.”

Christian Standard Bible
But if we say, ‘Of human origin,’ all the people will stone us, because they are convinced that John was a prophet.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
But if we say, ‘From men,’ all the people will stone us, because they are convinced that John was a prophet.”

American Standard Version
But if we shall say, From men; all the people will stone us: for they are persuaded that John was a prophet.

Contemporary English Version
And we can't say it was merely some human who gave John the right to baptize. The crowd will stone us to death, because they think John was a prophet."

English Revised Version
But if we shall say, From men; all the people will stone us: for they be persuaded that John was a prophet.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
But if we say, 'from humans,' everyone will stone us to death. They're convinced that John was a prophet."

Good News Translation
But if we say, 'From human beings,' this whole crowd here will stone us, because they are convinced that John was a prophet."

International Standard Version
But if we say, 'From humans,' all the people will stone us to death, because they are convinced that John was a prophet."

Majority Standard Bible
But if we say, ?From men,? all the people will stone us, for they are convinced that John was a prophet.?

NET Bible
But if we say, 'From people,' all the people will stone us, because they are convinced that John was a prophet."

New Heart English Bible
But if we say, 'From people,' all the people will stone us, for they are persuaded that John was a prophet."

Webster's Bible Translation
But if we say, From men; all the people will stone us: for they are persuaded that John was a prophet.

Weymouth New Testament
And if we say, 'human,' the people will all stone us; for they are thoroughly convinced that John was a Prophet."

World English Bible
But if we say, ‘From men,’ all the people will stone us, for they are persuaded that John was a prophet.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And if we may say, From men, all the people will stone us, for they are having been persuaded John to be a prophet.”

Berean Literal Bible
But if we should say, 'From men,' all the people will stone us, for they are having been persuaded John to be a prophet."

Young's Literal Translation
and if we may say, From men, all the people will stone us, for they are having been persuaded John to be a prophet.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And if we say, of men; all the people will stone us: for they are persuaded John to be a prophet.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
But if we say, Of men, the whole people will stone us: for they are persuaded that John was a prophet.

Catholic Public Domain Version
But if we say, ‘Of men,’ the whole people will stone us. For they are certain that John was a prophet.”

New American Bible
But if we say, ‘Of human origin,’ then all the people will stone us, for they are convinced that John was a prophet.”

New Revised Standard Version
But if we say, ‘Of human origin,’ all the people will stone us; for they are convinced that John was a prophet.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And if we should say from men, all the people will stone us; for they regard John as a prophet.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
“But if we say, 'From men', all the people will stone us, for they are convinced that Yohannan is a Prophet.”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
But if we say, From men, all the people will stone us; for they believe that John was a prophet.

Godbey New Testament
And if we may say, From men; all the people will stone us: for they are persuaded that John was a prophet.

Haweis New Testament
But if we say, Of men; all the people will stone us: for they are persuaded that John was a prophet.

Mace New Testament
if we should assert, it was a human contrivance, the populace would stone us; for they are persuaded that John was a prophet.

Weymouth New Testament
And if we say, 'human,' the people will all stone us; for they are thoroughly convinced that John was a Prophet."

Worrell New Testament
and if we say, 'From men,' all the people will stone us; for they are persuaded that John was a prophet."

Worsley New Testament
but if we say, Of men, the people will all stone us: for they are persuaded that John was a prophet.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Jesus' Authority Challenged
5They deliberated among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will ask, ‘Why did you not believe him?’ 6But if we say, ‘From men,’ all the people will stone us, for they are convinced that John was a prophet.” 7So they answered that they did not know where it was from.…

Cross References
Matthew 21:26
But if we say, ‘From men,’ we are afraid of the people, for they all regard John as a prophet.”

Mark 11:32
But if we say, ‘From men’...” they were afraid of the people, for they all held that John truly was a prophet.

Matthew 14:5
Although Herod wanted to kill John, he was afraid of the people, because they regarded John as a prophet.

Mark 6:20
because Herod feared John and protected him, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man. When he heard John’s words, he was greatly perplexed; yet he listened to him gladly.

John 10:41
Many came to Him and said, “Although John never performed a sign, everything he said about this man was true.”

Matthew 21:46
Although they wanted to arrest Him, they were afraid of the crowds, because the people regarded Him as a prophet.

Mark 12:12
At this, the leaders sought to arrest Jesus, for they knew that He had spoken this parable against them. But fearing the crowd, they left Him and went away.

John 7:40-43
On hearing these words, some of the people said, “This is truly the Prophet.” / Others declared, “This is the Christ.” But still others asked, “How can the Christ come from Galilee? / Doesn’t the Scripture say that the Christ will come from the line of David and from Bethlehem, the village where David lived?” ...

Acts 5:26
At that point, the captain went with the officers and brought the apostles—but not by force, for fear the people would stone them.

Matthew 11:9
What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.

Mark 9:13
But I tell you that Elijah has indeed come, and they have done to him whatever they wished, just as it is written about him.”

John 1:21
“Then who are you?” they inquired. “Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” He answered, “No.”

Matthew 17:12
But I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but have done to him whatever they wished. In the same way, the Son of Man will suffer at their hands.”

2 Chronicles 24:20-21
Then the Spirit of God came upon Zechariah son of Jehoiada the priest, who stood up before the people and said to them, “This is what God says: ‘Why do you transgress the commandments of the LORD so that you cannot prosper? Because you have forsaken the LORD, He has forsaken you.’” / But they conspired against Zechariah, and by order of the king, they stoned him in the courtyard of the house of the LORD.

Jeremiah 26:20-23
Now there was another man prophesying in the name of the LORD, Uriah son of Shemaiah from Kiriath-jearim. He prophesied against this city and against this land the same things that Jeremiah did. / King Jehoiakim and all his mighty men and officials heard his words, and the king sought to put him to death. But when Uriah found out about it, he fled in fear and went to Egypt. / Then King Jehoiakim sent men to Egypt: Elnathan son of Achbor along with some other men. ...


Treasury of Scripture

But and if we say, Of men; all the people will stone us: for they be persuaded that John was a prophet.

all.

Matthew 21:26,46
But if we shall say, Of men; we fear the people; for all hold John as a prophet…

Matthew 26:5
But they said, Not on the feast day, lest there be an uproar among the people.

Mark 12:12
And they sought to lay hold on him, but feared the people: for they knew that he had spoken the parable against them: and they left him, and went their way.

for.

Luke 1:76
And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways;

Luke 7:26-29
But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? Yea, I say unto you, and much more than a prophet…

Matthew 14:5
And when he would have put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet.

Jump to Previous
Convinced Death Human John Persuaded Prophet Stone Stoned Thoroughly Whole
Jump to Next
Convinced Death Human John Persuaded Prophet Stone Stoned Thoroughly Whole
Luke 20
1. Jesus confirms his authority by a question of John's baptism.
9. The parable of the vineyard.
19. Of giving tribute to Caesar.
27. He instructs the Sadducees, who denied the resurrection.
41. How Jesus is the Son of David.
45. He warns his disciples to beware of the scribes.














But if we say
This phrase introduces a hypothetical scenario, reflecting the internal deliberation of the religious leaders. The Greek word for "if" (ἐάν) indicates a conditional statement, showing their fear of the consequences of their potential answer. This highlights the leaders' concern for public opinion over truth, a recurring theme in the Gospels where human authority often conflicts with divine truth.

‘From men,’
The phrase "from men" contrasts with "from heaven" (mentioned in the previous verse), representing human origin versus divine origin. The leaders are contemplating attributing John's authority to human sources, which would undermine his prophetic role. This reflects a broader biblical theme where human wisdom is often at odds with divine revelation, as seen in 1 Corinthians 1:25, where God's foolishness is wiser than human wisdom.

all the people
This phrase emphasizes the collective belief of the Jewish populace. The Greek word for "people" (λαός) often refers to the common people, distinct from the religious elite. Historically, the Jewish people held prophets in high regard, and their collective conviction about John underscores the widespread recognition of his prophetic ministry, which the leaders feared to contradict.

will stone us
Stoning was a common form of execution for blasphemy or false prophecy in ancient Israel, as prescribed in Leviticus 24:16. The leaders' fear of being stoned indicates the seriousness with which the people regarded John's prophetic status. This fear reveals the leaders' awareness of their precarious position and the potential for violent backlash if they denied John's divine authority.

for they are convinced
The Greek word for "convinced" (πέπεισμαι) implies a strong persuasion or belief. This conviction among the people about John's prophetic role highlights the power of his ministry and the impact of his message. It also underscores the leaders' dilemma, as they are caught between their skepticism and the people's unwavering belief.

that John was a prophet
John the Baptist is recognized as a prophet, a role of significant importance in Jewish tradition. Prophets were seen as God's mouthpieces, delivering divine messages to the people. The acknowledgment of John as a prophet by the people aligns with the biblical narrative of God sending messengers to prepare the way for Jesus, as seen in Malachi 3:1. This recognition by the people contrasts with the religious leaders' reluctance to accept John's authority, highlighting their spiritual blindness and resistance to God's work.

(6) All the people will stone us.--St. Luke gives the more vivid utterance in place of the more general "we fear the people" in the other Gospels. As indicating the readiness of the people of Jerusalem to proceed to extremities of this kind, we may refer to their treatment of our Lord (John 8:59; John 10:31) and Stephen (Acts 7:58-59).



Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
But
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

if
ἐὰν (ean)
Conjunction
Strong's 1437: If. From ei and an; a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.

we say,
εἴπωμεν (eipōmen)
Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 1st Person Plural
Strong's 2036: Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.

‘From
Ἐξ (Ex)
Preposition
Strong's 1537: From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out.

men,’
ἀνθρώπων (anthrōpōn)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 444: A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being.

all
ἅπας (hapas)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 537: All, the whole, altogether. Absolutely all or every one.

the
(ho)
Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

people
λαὸς (laos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2992: Apparently a primary word; a people.

will stone
καταλιθάσει (katalithasei)
Verb - Future Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2642: To stone down, stone to death, overwhelm with stones. From kata and lithazo; to stone down, i.e. To death.

us,
ἡμᾶς (hēmas)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 1st Person Plural
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

for
γάρ (gar)
Conjunction
Strong's 1063: For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.

they are
ἐστιν (estin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

convinced [that]
πεπεισμένος (pepeismenos)
Verb - Perfect Participle Middle or Passive - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3982: A primary verb; to convince; by analogy, to pacify or conciliate; reflexively or passively, to assent, to rely.

John
Ἰωάννην (Iōannēn)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2491: Of Hebrew origin; Joannes, the name of four Israelites.

was
εἶναι (einai)
Verb - Present Infinitive Active
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

a prophet.”
προφήτην (prophētēn)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 4396: From a compound of pro and phemi; a foreteller; by analogy, an inspired speaker; by extension, a poet.


Links
Luke 20:6 NIV
Luke 20:6 NLT
Luke 20:6 ESV
Luke 20:6 NASB
Luke 20:6 KJV

Luke 20:6 BibleApps.com
Luke 20:6 Biblia Paralela
Luke 20:6 Chinese Bible
Luke 20:6 French Bible
Luke 20:6 Catholic Bible

NT Gospels: Luke 20:6 But if we say 'From men' all (Luke Lu Lk)
Luke 20:5
Top of Page
Top of Page