26They discussed it among themselves and said, "If we say, 'From heaven,' he will ask, 'Then why didn't you believe him?' But if we say, 'From men'--we are afraid of the people, for they all hold that John was a prophet."


In Context

23 Jesus entered the temple courts, and, while he was teaching, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him. "By what authority are you doing these things?" they asked. "And who gave you this authority?"

24 Jesus replied, "I will also ask you one question. If you answer me, I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things.

25 John's baptism--where did it come from? Was it from heaven, or from men?"

26 They discussed it among themselves and said, "If we say, 'From heaven,' he will ask, 'Then why didn't you believe him?' But if we say, 'From men'--we are afraid of the people, for they all hold that John was a prophet."

27 So they answered Jesus, "We don't know." Then he said, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.

28 "What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, 'Son, go and work today in the vineyard.'

Matthew 21:26 in Other Translations

The King James Version of the Holy Bible

21:26But if we shall say, Of men; we fear the people; for all hold John as a prophet.

The Douay-Rheims Version of the Holy Bible

21:26If we shall say, from heaven, he will say to us: Why then did you not believe him? But if we shall say, from men, we are afraid of the multitude: for all held John as a prophet.

The American Standard Version of the Holy Bible

21:26But if we shall say, From men; we fear the multitude; for all hold John as a prophet.

The Darby Bible Translation of the Holy Bible

21:26but if we should say, Of men, we fear the crowd, for all hold John for a prophet.

The English Revised Version of the Holy Bible

21:26But if we shall say, From men; we fear the multitude; for all hold John as a prophet.

The Webster Bible Translation of the Holy Bible

21:26But if we shall say, From men; we fear the people: for all hold John as a prophet.

The World English Bible Translation of the Holy Bible

21:26But if we say, 'From men,' we fear the multitude, for all hold John as a prophet.|

The Young's Literal Translation of the Holy Bible

21:26and if we should say, From men, we fear the multitude, for all hold John as a prophet.'

The American King James Version of the Holy Bible

21:26But if we shall say, Of men; we fear the people; for all hold John as a prophet.