SEV Biblia, Chapter 21:26
Y si decimos, de los hombres, tememos al pueblo; porque todos tienen a Juan por profeta.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 26. But if we shall say of men , etc.] 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 of them were now the followers of Christ, more of them had been the admirers of John, and probably had been baptized by him: wherefore the sanhedrim were afraid of them, lest if they should affirm, that the authority by which John acted was human, they would immediately rise up against them; and, as Luke says, stone them: so high a veneration had they for him, and so dear was his memory still unto them. For all held John as a prophet . These are the words of the high priests and elders, and not of the evangelist, expressing the reason of their fears from the people, who, in general, were thoroughly persuaded, as Luke expresses it, and firmly believed that John was a prophet, that was raised up, and sent immediately by God; and did not derive his authority and commission to preach and baptize from any man, or set of men, whatever.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 23-27 - As our Lord now openly appeared as the Messiah, the chief priests an scribes were much offended, especially because he exposed and remove the abuses they encouraged. Our Lord asked what they thought of John' ministry and baptism. Many are more afraid of the shame of lying tha of the sin, and therefore scruple not to speak what they know to be false, as to their own thoughts, affections, and intentions, or their remembering and forgetting. Our Lord refused to answer their inquiry It is best to shun needless disputes with wicked opposers.
Greek Textus Receptus
εαν 1437 COND δε 1161 CONJ ειπωμεν 2036 5632 V-2AAS-1P εξ 1537 PREP ανθρωπων 444 N-GPM φοβουμεθα 5399 5736 V-PNI-1P τον 3588 T-ASM οχλον 3793 N-ASM παντες 3956 A-NPM γαρ 1063 CONJ εχουσιν 2192 5719 V-PAI-3P τον 3588 T-ASM ιωαννην 2491 N-ASM ως 5613 ADV προφητην 4396 N-ASM
