Mark 11:30 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Was the baptism of John from heaven or from man? Answer me."

NIV: John’s baptism—was it from heaven, or of human origin? Tell me!"

NASB: Was the baptism of John from heaven, or from men? Answer Me.'

CSB: Was John’s baptism from heaven or of human origin? Answer me."

NLT: Did John’s authority to baptize come from heaven, or was it merely human? Answer me!'

KJV: The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men? answer me.

NKJV: The baptism of John—was it from heaven or from men? Answer Me.”

The chief priests, scribes, and elders have asked Jesus for the source of His authority to drive out the money-changers and bird merchants in the temple courtyard. He agrees to tell them only if they answer His question. Returning a question for a question was typical of that era, but refusing to answer unless an answer was first given would have been unusual.

John the Baptist was the son of Mary's relative Elizabeth and the priest Zechariah. Zechariah was lighting incense in the temple when an angel told him his elderly wife would have a son, John, who would be filled with the Holy Spirit, even before he was born. John's purpose in life would be to encourage people to obey God and prepare them for the coming of the Messiah (Luke 1:5–17).

John did just that. He preached in Perea, on the other side of the Jordan River from Judea and baptized in the river. With the authority of Elijah, he convinced people of their need to repent to receive forgiveness from God and warned them that the Messiah was coming (Mark 1:1–8). His ministry was popular: "Then Jerusalem and all of Judea and all the region about the Jordan were going out to him, and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins" (Matthew 3:5–6). When Jesus arrived to be baptized, John specifically identified Jesus as the Messiah (John 1:29).

Now, John is dead, killed by Herod Antipas and his wife for criticizing their incestuous relationship (Mark 6:14–29). But the apex of his ministry was only three years before the religious leaders' confrontation with Jesus. Jerusalem is filled with people from around the area and beyond who have come for the Passover. Many of them had heard John preach and been baptized by him.

And so, Jesus puts the chief priests, scribes, and elders on the spot. John preached what he knew to be true with no regard for the approval of others or even his own life. Will the priests, scribes, and elders do the same: to stand firm on their supposed beliefs? Will they affirm John's message and thereby affirm Jesus is the Messiah? Or will they protect their own positions of power and authority? As it turns out, Jesus' unusual tactic exposes their hypocrisy (Matthew 3:7–10; 11:16–19; 21:32). Though they don't believe John's message, these religious leaders aren't willing to say something unpopular if it jeopardizes their positions of influence.

Mark 11:27–33 is the first of four stories of religious leaders challenging Jesus. The others are found through verse 27 of chapter 12. First is a confrontation with the chief priests, scribes, and elders. Next, Jesus' parable about farmland tenants solidifies the authorities' desire to kill Him (Mark 12:1–12). The Pharisees and Herodians try to trap Jesus with a question about taxes (Mark 12:13–17). And, finally, the Sadducees challenge Jesus with a question about the resurrection (Mark 12:18–27). Eventually, Jesus can have a friendly conversation about the greatest commandment with a scribe (Mark 12:28–34). This first story is also in Matthew 21:23–27 and Luke 20:1–8.

Jesus and the disciples arrive in Jerusalem a week before the crucifixion, and Jesus begins the last days of His public ministry. They spend their nights on the Mount of Olives and their days in Jerusalem (Luke 21:37). Jesus accepts the accolades designed for a king (Mark 11:1–11), attacks materialistic tradition that keeps people from worshiping God (Mark 11:15–19), gives an object lesson about the fate of fruitless Jerusalem (Mark 11:12–14, 20–25), and reveals the Jewish religious leaders' hypocrisy (Mark 11:27–33). Despite the support of the crowd, Jesus is pushing the leaders toward the crucifixion.

The Gospel of Mark emphasizes both Jesus' servanthood and His role as the promised Messiah: the Son of God. This is done through a concise, action-packed style. Mark provides relatively few details, instead focusing on actions and simple statements. This relates to the Gospel's authorship, which is believed to be based on the memories of the apostle Peter. These include many of Jesus' miracles, in contrast to other Gospels which include many more of Jesus' teachings and parables. Mark also makes frequent mention of Jesus' ministry being misunderstood by others.