But if we say, ‘From men,’ we are afraid of the people, for they all regard John as a prophet.”
But if we shall say of men,.... They reasoned with themselves, that should they give their answer in this form, and say, that the ministry and baptism of John, were merely human, and what he took up of himself, or which he performed by an authority derived from men, we fear the people; that were then upon the spot, in the temple; who, as many...
Verse 26. We fear the people. They feared that the people would stone them, (Luke.) Such an unpopular sentiment as to profess that all that John did was imposture, would have probably ended in tumult, perhaps in their death. (p) "for all held John"
But if we shall say, Of men; we fear the people--rather, "the multitude." In Luke (Luk 20:6) it is, "all the people will stone us." for all hold John as a prophet--Crooked, cringing hypocrites! No wonder Jesus gave you no answer.