Luke 20:6

Hebrew Bible (DHNT) 1885 - Delitzsch's Hebrew New Testament

ואם־נאמר מבני אדם וסקלנו כל־העם בעמדם על־דעתם כי יוחנן נביא היה׃

What Does This Mean?

The religious leaders are worried about how to answer a question about John the Baptist's authority. They fear that if they say he was just a man, people will get angry because they believe he was a prophet.

Explained for Children

Imagine you're in class and your teacher asks who drew a really good picture on the wall. If you say it wasn't God but just someone else, all your classmates might be upset because they think that person was very special to God.

Historical Background

This verse is from Luke's Gospel, written around AD 80-100 for a Greek-speaking audience. It reflects the tension between Jesus and the religious authorities in first-century Jerusalem, where John the Baptist was revered as a prophet.

Living It Out Today

When making decisions, especially under pressure, consider how your actions might affect others' beliefs and emotions. The leaders were caught in a dilemma about truth and public perception.

Topics

• authority
• prophets
• religious leaders
• truth-telling
• public opinion
• decision-making

Related Verses

• Mark 1:2-8
• John 5:39-47
• Matthew 21:23-27
• Acts 13:20-25
• Hebrews 6:2

Recommended Reading

Commentary Luke Commentaries → Get This Bible DHNT Study Bible →

Frequently Asked Questions

Why were the religious leaders afraid of people's reaction?

The religious leaders feared that if they contradicted popular belief by saying John was just a man, the crowd would reject them and their authority.

What does this verse tell us about John the Baptist?

It shows how highly regarded John the Baptist was among the people. They believed he had divine backing, which influenced public opinion.

How might this situation be relevant today?

Leaders today can face similar dilemmas where they must balance honesty with maintaining public support and trust.

What does it mean to 'stone' someone in this context?

In ancient times, stoning was a form of punishment. Here, it symbolizes the severe backlash or rejection the leaders feared from the people if they spoke against popular belief about John.