John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 4. The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men ?] This was a new ordinance, and John must have his authority for administering it either from God, or from men; and Christ is desirous to know from which he derived it in their opinion; suggesting, that by the same authority John, his forerunner, came baptizing, he himself came preaching and working miracles; (see Gill on Matthew 21:25).
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-8 - Men often pretend to examine the evidences of revelation, and the trut of the gospel, when only seeking excuses for their own unbelief an disobedience. Christ answered these priests and scribes with a plai question about the baptism of John, which the common people coul answer. They all knew it was from heaven, nothing in it had an earthl tendency. Those that bury the knowledge they have, are justly denie further knowledge. It was just with Christ to refuse to give account of his authority, to those who knew the baptism of John to be from heaven yet would not believe in him, nor own their knowledge.
Greek Textus Receptus
το 3588 T-NSN βαπτισμα 908 N-NSN ιωαννου 2491 N-GSM εξ 1537 PREP ουρανου 3772 N-GSM ην 2258 5713 V-IXI-3S η 2228 PRT εξ 1537 PREP ανθρωπων 444 N-GPM
