Mark 11:32

But if we shall say, Of men; they feared the people: for all men counted John, that he was a prophet indeed.

EXPOSITORY (ENGLISH BIBLE)

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(32) That he was a prophet indeed.—The intensifying adverb is one of St. Mark’s graphic touches of emphasis.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

11:27-33 Our Saviour shows how near akin his doctrine and baptism were to those of John; they had the same design and tendency, to bring in the gospel kingdom. These elders did not deserve to be taught; for it was plain that they contended not for truth, but victory: nor did he need to tell them; for the works he did, told them plainly he had authority from God; since no man could do the miracles which he did, unless God were with him.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

See the notes at Matthew 20:23-27.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

Mr 11:27-33. The Authority of Jesus Questioned—His Reply. ( = Mt 21:23-27; Lu 20:1-8).

See on [1480]Mt 21:23-27.

Matthew Poole's Commentary

See Poole on "Mark 11:29"

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

But if we shall say, of men,.... That John's baptism was an human invention, and he had no authority from God to preach and administer it,

they feared the people; lest being enraged thereby they should, at once, rise up, and destroy them:

for all men counted John, that he was a prophet indeed; a real prophet, one truly sent from God, and had his commission and credentials from him: this was the general sentiment of the people; See Gill on Matthew 21:26.

Geneva Study Bible

{6} But if we shall say, Of men; they feared the people: for all men counted John, that he was a prophet indeed.

(6) The reward of their evil conscience is to be afraid of those who should have been afraid of them.

EXEGETICAL (ORIGINAL LANGUAGES)

Expositor's Greek Testament

Mark 11:32. ἀλλὰ εἲπωμεν, ἐξ ἀνθρώπων; = but suppose we say, from men?—ἐφοβοῦντο τὸν ὄχλον. Here Mk. thinks for them instead of letting them think for themselves as in Mt. (Matthew 11:26, φοβούμεθα) =—they were afraid of the multitude.—ἅπαντες γὰρ, etc.: here again the construction is somewhat crude—Ἰωάννην by attraction, object of the verb εἶχον instead of the subject of ἦν, and ὄντως by trajection separated from the verb it qualifies, ἦν, giving this sense: for all held John truly that he was a prophet = for all held that John was indeed a prophet.

Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

32. if we shall say, Of men] Observe the impressive abruptness here, which is more significant than the full expression of St Matthew (Matthew 21:26) and St Luke (Luke 20:6). They dared not face the alternative, and were driven to a feeble evasion.

Mark 11:32