Luke 20:4
New International Version
John’s baptism—was it from heaven, or of human origin?”

New Living Translation
“Did John’s authority to baptize come from heaven, or was it merely human?”

English Standard Version
was the baptism of John from heaven or from man?”

Berean Standard Bible
John’s baptism—was it from heaven, or from men?”

Berean Literal Bible
The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or from men?"

King James Bible
The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men?

New King James Version
The baptism of John—was it from heaven or from men?”

New American Standard Bible
Was the baptism of John from heaven or from men?”

NASB 1995
“Was the baptism of John from heaven or from men?”

NASB 1977
“Was the baptism of John from heaven or from men?”

Legacy Standard Bible
Was the baptism of John from heaven or from men?”

Amplified Bible
The baptism of John [the Baptist]—was it from heaven [that is, ordained by God] or from men?”

Christian Standard Bible
was the baptism of John from heaven or of human origin? ”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
was the baptism of John from heaven or from men?”

American Standard Version
The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or from men?

Contemporary English Version
Who gave John the right to baptize? Was it God in heaven or merely some human being?"

English Revised Version
The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or from men?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
did John's right to baptize come from heaven or from humans?"

Good News Translation
did John's right to baptize come from God or from human beings?"

International Standard Version
Was John's authority to baptize from heaven or from humans?"

Majority Standard Bible
John’s baptism—was it from heaven, or from men?”

NET Bible
John's baptism--was it from heaven or from people?"

New Heart English Bible
the baptism of John, was it from heaven, or from people?"

Webster's Bible Translation
The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or from men?

Weymouth New Testament
"was John's baptism of Heavenly or of human origin?"

World English Bible
the baptism of John, was it from heaven, or from men?”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
the immersion of John, was it from Heaven, or from men?”

Berean Literal Bible
The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or from men?"

Young's Literal Translation
the baptism of John, from heaven was it, or from men?'

Smith's Literal Translation
Was the immersion of John of heaven, or of men.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men?

Catholic Public Domain Version
The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men?”

New American Bible
was John’s baptism of heavenly or of human origin?”

New Revised Standard Version
Did the baptism of John come from heaven, or was it of human origin?”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
The baptism of John, was it from heaven or from men?

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
“Was the baptism of Yohannan from Heaven, or from men?”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
Was the immersion of John from heaven, or from men?

Godbey New Testament
Was the baptism of John from heaven, or from men?

Haweis New Testament
The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men?

Mace New Testament
tell me, the baptism of John, was it a divine or a human institution?

Weymouth New Testament
"was John's baptism of Heavenly or of human origin?"

Worrell New Testament
The immersion of John, was it from Heaven, or of men?"

Worsley New Testament
Was the baptism of John from heaven or from men?

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Jesus' Authority Challenged
3“I will also ask you a question,” Jesus replied. “Tell Me: 4John’s baptism— was it from heaven, or from men?” 5They deliberated among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will ask, ‘Why did you not believe him?’…

Cross References
Matthew 21:25
What was the source of John’s baptism? Was it from heaven or from men?” They deliberated among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will ask, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’

Mark 11:30
John’s baptism—was it from heaven or from men? Answer Me!”

John 1:6-7
There came a man who was sent from God. His name was John. / He came as a witness to testify about the Light, so that through him everyone might believe.

Matthew 3:1-6
In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea / and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.” / This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: “A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for Him.’” ...

Mark 1:4-5
John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. / People went out to him from all of Jerusalem and the countryside of Judea. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.

John 1:19-27
And this was John’s testimony when the Jews of Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him, “Who are you?” / He did not refuse to confess, but openly declared, “I am not the Christ.” / “Then who are you?” they inquired. “Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” He answered, “No.” ...

Acts 19:4
Paul explained: “John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the One coming after him, that is, in Jesus.”

Matthew 11:7-11
As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swaying in the wind? / Otherwise, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? Look, those who wear fine clothing are found in kings’ palaces. / What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. ...

Luke 7:24-28
After John’s messengers had left, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swaying in the wind? / Otherwise, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? Look, those who wear elegant clothing and live in luxury are found in palaces. / What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. ...

John 5:33-35
You have sent to John, and he has testified to the truth. / Even though I do not accept human testimony, I say these things so that you may be saved. / John was a lamp that burned and gave light, and you were willing for a season to bask in his light.

Malachi 3:1
“Behold, I will send My messenger, who will prepare the way before Me. Then the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to His temple—the Messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight—see, He is coming,” says the LORD of Hosts.

Isaiah 40:3
A voice of one calling: “Prepare the way for the LORD in the wilderness; make a straight highway for our God in the desert.

Matthew 3:11
I baptize you with water for repentance, but after me will come One more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.

Mark 1:7-8
And he proclaimed: “After me will come One more powerful than I, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. / I baptize you with water, but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

Luke 3:16
John answered all of them: “I baptize you with water, but One more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.


Treasury of Scripture

The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men?

baptism.

Luke 7:28-35
For I say unto you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he…

Matthew 11:7-19
And as they departed, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind? …

Matthew 17:11,12
And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things…

from.

Luke 15:18
I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,

Daniel 4:25,26
That they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and they shall wet thee with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over thee, till thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will…

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Baptism Heaven Heavenly Human John John's Origin
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Baptism Heaven Heavenly Human John John's Origin
Luke 20
1. Jesus confirms his authority by a question of John's baptism.
9. The parable of the vineyard.
19. Of giving tribute to Caesar.
27. He instructs the Sadducees, who denied the resurrection.
41. How Jesus is the Son of David.
45. He warns his disciples to beware of the scribes.














John’s baptism
This phrase refers to the baptism performed by John the Baptist, a pivotal figure in the New Testament who prepared the way for Jesus Christ. The Greek word for baptism, "βάπτισμα" (baptisma), signifies an immersion or submersion, symbolizing purification and repentance. John's baptism was a call to repentance and a precursor to the baptism of the Holy Spirit that Jesus would bring. Historically, John's baptism was a radical act, challenging the religious status quo and calling people to a new way of life in anticipation of the Messiah.

was it from heaven
The phrase "from heaven" is a Jewish idiom used to denote divine origin or authority. In this context, it questions whether John's baptism was ordained by God. The Greek word "οὐρανός" (ouranos) is used here, often translated as "heaven," and it implies a higher, divine source. This question challenges the religious leaders to consider the divine legitimacy of John's ministry, which they were reluctant to acknowledge due to its implications for their own authority.

or from men
This phrase contrasts divine authority with human origin. The Greek word "ἄνθρωπος" (anthrōpos) means "man" or "human," suggesting something that is of human invention or authority. By posing this question, Jesus highlights the tension between divine truth and human tradition. The religious leaders were caught in a dilemma, as acknowledging John's divine authority would validate Jesus' ministry, while denying it would alienate the people who revered John as a prophet.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
John’s
Ἰωάννου (Iōannou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2491: Of Hebrew origin; Joannes, the name of four Israelites.

baptism—
βάπτισμα (baptisma)
Noun - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 908: The rite or ceremony of baptism. From baptizo; baptism.

was it
ἦν (ēn)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

from
ἐξ (ex)
Preposition
Strong's 1537: From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out.

heaven,
οὐρανοῦ (ouranou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 3772: Perhaps from the same as oros; the sky; by extension, heaven; by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the Gospel.

or
(ē)
Conjunction
Strong's 2228: Or, than. A primary particle of distinction between two connected terms; disjunctive, or; comparative, than.

from
ἐξ (ex)
Preposition
Strong's 1537: From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out.

men?”
ἀνθρώπων (anthrōpōn)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 444: A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being.


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