Luke 20:6

But and if we say, Of men; all the people will stone us: for they be persuaded that John was a prophet.

EXPOSITORY (ENGLISH BIBLE)

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(6) All the people will stone us.—St. Luke gives the more vivid utterance in place of the more general “we fear the people” in the other Gospels. As indicating the readiness of the people of Jerusalem to proceed to extremities of this kind, we may refer to their treatment of our Lord (John 8:59; John 10:31) and Stephen (Acts 7:58-59).

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

20:1-8 Men often pretend to examine the evidences of revelation, and the truth of the gospel, when only seeking excuses for their own unbelief and disobedience. Christ answered these priests and scribes with a plain question about the baptism of John, which the common people could answer. They all knew it was from heaven, nothing in it had an earthly tendency. Those that bury the knowledge they have, are justly denied 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.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

See this passage explained in the notes at Matthew 21:23-27.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

5. Why then believed ye him not?—that is, in his testimony to Jesus, the sum of his whole witness.

Matthew Poole's Commentary

See Poole on "Luke 20:3"

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

But and if we say of men,..... Which they had a good will to, against the dictates of their own consciences:

all the people will stone us; meaning the common people, that were then in the temple about Christ, hearing him preach; who would be so enraged at such an answer, that without any regard to their character and office, they would rise and stone them. The Ethiopic version adds, "whom we fear"; see Matthew 21:26 for it seems that they had not so behaved as to have the good will and esteem of the people, at least they did not pin their faith on their sleeve:

for they be persuaded that John was a prophet; they were fully assured of it; and the sentiments and authority of the chief priests could have no weight and influence upon them to weaken their faith in this point; the evidence was so strong, and their faith so firm and sure.

Geneva Study Bible

But and if we say, Of men; all the people will stone us: for they be persuaded that John was a prophet.

EXEGETICAL (ORIGINAL LANGUAGES)

Expositor's Greek Testament

Luke 20:6. καταλιθάσει: in the parallels it is indicated generally that they feared the people; here it is explained why or what they feared: viz., that the people would stone them; to be taken cum grano. The verb is a ἅπαξ λεγ.; synonyms are καταλιθοῦν (Joseph.), καταλιθοβολεῖν (Exodus 17:4).—πεπεισμένος points to a fixed permanent conviction, this the force of the perfect participle.

Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

6. all the people will stone us] The word is a strong compound— katalithasei—used here only—‘will stone us to death. Herod had been daunted by the same dread, Matthew 14:5; Jos. Antt. xviii. 5, § 2. It illustrates the furious bursts of fanaticism to which the Jews were liable (John 8:59; John 10:31, &c.).

persuaded] Rather, firmly convinced. The tense implies an unalterable conclusion.

Bengel's Gnomen

Luke 20:6. Καταλιθάσει, will stone) It was not the province of the people to stone the priests and scribes when rejecting a prophet, however true a one he might be: but often even the perverse zeal of the multitude is by accident subservient to a good cause.

Luke 20:6

Vincent's Word Studies

Will stone (καταλιθάσει)

Only here in New Testament. "Stone us down" (κατά); i.e., stone us to death.

They be persuaded (πεπεισμένος ἐστιν)

Lit., It (the people collectively) is hawing been persuaded. Denoting a long-standing and settled persuasion.