Matthew Chapter 21 verse 26 Holy Bible
But if we shall say, From men; we fear the multitude; for all hold John as a prophet.
read chapter 21 in ASV
But if we say, From men; we are in fear of the people, because all take John to be a prophet.
read chapter 21 in BBE
but if we should say, Of men, we fear the crowd, for all hold John for a prophet.
read chapter 21 in DARBY
But if we shall say, Of men; we fear the people; for all hold John as a prophet.
read chapter 21 in KJV
read chapter 21 in WBT
But if we say, 'From men,' we fear the multitude, for all hold John as a prophet."
read chapter 21 in WEB
and if we should say, From men, we fear the multitude, for all hold John as a prophet.'
read chapter 21 in YLT
Pulpit Commentary
Pulpit CommentaryVerse 26. - We fear the people. They dared not, as they would gladly have done, affirm that John was a false prophet and impostor; for then, as according to St. Luke they said, "All the people will stone us." Public opinion was too strong for them. Whatever view they really took of John's position, they were forced, for the sake of retaining popularity, to uphold its Divine character. All hold John as a prophet. Even Herod, for the same reason, long hesitated to put the Baptist to death (Matthew 14:5); and many of the Jews believed that Herod's defeat by Aretas was a judgment upon him for this murder (Josephus,' Ant.,' 18:5. 2); comp. Luke 7:29, which shows how extensive was the influence of this holy teacher, who indeed did no miracle, but persuaded men by pure doctrine, holy life, genuine love of souls, courageous reproof of sin wherever found. Others had drawn the very inference which Christ now demanded (see John 10:41, 42).
