Matthew 21:25 - Printer Friendly

ESV: The baptism of John, from where did it come? From heaven or from man?" And they discussed it among themselves, saying, "If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say to us, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’

NIV: John’s baptism—where did it come from? Was it from heaven, or of human origin?" They discussed it among themselves and said, "If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will ask, ‘Then why didn’t you believe him?’

NASB: The baptism of John was from what source: from heaven or from men?' And they began considering the implications among themselves, saying, 'If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will say to us, ‘Then why did you not believe him?’

CSB: Did John’s baptism come from heaven, or was it of human origin?" They discussed it among themselves, "If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say to us, ‘Then why didn’t you believe him?’

NLT: Did John’s authority to baptize come from heaven, or was it merely human?' They talked it over among themselves. 'If we say it was from heaven, he will ask us why we didn’t believe John.

KJV: The baptism of John, whence was it from heaven, or of men And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say unto us, Why did ye not then believe him

NKJV: The baptism of John—where was it from? From heaven or from men?” And they reasoned among themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will say to us, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’

Some chief priests and elders of Israel have asked Jesus a pointed question: what gives you the right to teach, heal, and accept praise from the people (Matthew 21:23)? These are powerful men with the authority to condemn Jesus and turn Him over to the Romans, as they soon will (Matthew 17:22–23). They are hoping His answer will give them reason to do exactly that. Jesus, of course, knows this. If He tells them He is acting by the authority of the one and only God, His own Father, they will accuse Him of blasphemy and perhaps arrest Him immediately. Rather than invite a confrontation, Jesus agrees to answer them on one condition: that they answer His question first (Matthew 21:24).

The query posed by Jesus forces the men to state their position on John the Baptist: whether he was a legitimate prophet sent from God or a pretender. While the question these men originally asked Jesus was not wrong, itself, their motive was corrupt. Jesus' counter-question brilliantly shows this. What these men really care about is power, and control, not sincere faith.

As a result, the group of powerful men huddles up to talk through their strategy. They quickly realize Jesus has put them in a no-win scenario. If they say John the Baptist's message was divine, Jesus can accuse them of ignoring the messenger of God. The alternative, to claim John was a fraudulent teacher, would be immensely unpopular and go against their real motive of maintaining power (Matthew 21:26). What seemed like an easy way to trap Jesus has become a snare for these men.

John the Baptist also had at least one confrontation with a group of Pharisees and Sadducees. He famously called them a "brood of vipers" and warned of the judgment coming on those in Israel who do not bear spiritual fruit (Matthew 3:7–10).

Matthew 21:23–27 finds Jesus in the temple as He is challenged by priests and elders. They want to know by what authority Jesus acts. He agrees to answer if they will answer Him: Was John the Baptist's baptism from heaven or from earth? The religious leaders know that if they say he was a prophet, Jesus will ask why they didn't believe and repent. If they say John was not a prophet, though, the people will be upset. They say they don't know. Jesus does not answer their question.

Jesus fulfills a prophecy from Zechariah about the coming of the king to Jerusalem by riding in on a donkey. The people celebrate and praise Him as the Messiah. Jesus drives the marketers and moneychangers out of the temple and heals some people. He curses a fig tree and tells the disciples nothing will be impossible for them with faith. Jesus forces cowardly and hypocritical religious leaders to back down with a question about John the Baptist. He then exposes their fraudulent spirituality with two parables about vineyards. Jesus applies to Himself a psalm about a rejected stone being made the cornerstone by the Lord.

Matthew 21 finds Jesus arriving near Jerusalem after leaving Jericho in the previous chapter. His triumphal entry is accomplished riding a donkey, and to raucous praise, fulfilling a prophecy about the Messiah. Jesus cleanses the marketplace from the temple, heals, and presents lessons about faith and Israel's failed leadership. This leads into further conversations which Matthew compiles from Jesus' interactions with the Pharisees.

The Gospel of Matthew clearly shows the influence of its writer's background, and his effort to reach a specific audience. Matthew was one of Jesus' twelve disciples, a Jewish man, and a former tax collector. This profession would have required literacy, and Matthew may have transcribed some of Jesus' words as they were spoken. This book is filled with references to the Old Testament, demonstrating to Israel that Jesus is the Promised One. Matthew also includes many references to coins, likely due to his former profession. Matthew records extensive accounts of Jesus' teaching, more than the other three Gospels.