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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Mark 11:30 John's baptism--was it from heaven or from men? Answer Me!"</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/mark/11-30.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/12/41_Mrk_11_30.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Mark 11:30 - Jesus' Authority Challenged" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="John's baptism--was it from heaven or from men? 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Tell me!&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/mark/11.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />“Did John’s authority to baptize come from heaven, or was it merely human? Answer me!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/mark/11.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Was the baptism of John from heaven or from man? Answer me.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/mark/11.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />John’s baptism—was it from heaven or from men? Answer Me!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/mark/11.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or from men? Answer Me."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/mark/11.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />The baptism of John, was <i>it</i> from heaven, or of men? answer me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/mark/11.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />The baptism of John—was it from heaven or from men? Answer Me.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/mark/11.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Was the baptism of John from heaven, or from men? Answer Me.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/mark/11.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220Was the baptism of John from heaven, or from men? Answer Me.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/mark/11.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“Was the baptism of John from heaven, or from men? Answer Me.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/mark/11.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Was the baptism of John from heaven, or from men? Answer Me.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/mark/11.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Was the baptism of John [the Baptist] from heaven [that is, ordained by God] or from men? Answer Me.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/mark/11.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Was John’s baptism from heaven or of human origin? Answer me.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/mark/11.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Was John&#8217s baptism from heaven or from men? Answer Me.&#8221 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/mark/11.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or from men? answer me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/mark/11.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Who gave John the right to baptize? Was it God in heaven or merely some human being?" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/mark/11.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or from men? answer me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/mark/11.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Did John's right to baptize come from heaven or from humans? Answer me!"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/mark/11.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Tell me, where did John's right to baptize come from: was it from God or from human beings?" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/mark/11.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Was John's authority to baptize from heaven or from humans? Answer me."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/mark/11.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />John?s baptism?was it from heaven or from men? Answer Me!?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/mark/11.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />John's baptism--was it from heaven or from people? Answer me."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/mark/11.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />The baptism of John--was it from heaven, or from people? Answer me."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/mark/11.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or from men? answer me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/mark/11.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />John's Baptism--was it of Heavenly or of human origin? Answer me."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/mark/11.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />The baptism of John—was it from heaven, or from men? Answer me.” <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/mark/11.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />the immersion of John—was it from Heaven or from men? Answer Me.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/mark/11.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or from men? Answer Me."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/mark/11.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> the baptism of John -- from heaven was it? or from men? answer me.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/mark/11.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Was the immersion of John from heaven, or from men? answer me.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/mark/11.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or from men? Answer me. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/mark/11.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />The baptism of John: was it from heaven or from men? Answer me.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/mark/11.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Was John’s baptism of heavenly or of human origin? Answer me.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/mark/11.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Did the baptism of John come from heaven, or was it of human origin? Answer me.”<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/mark/11.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Whence is the baptism of John, from heaven, or from men? Tell me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/mark/11.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />“From where was the baptism of Yohannan, from Heaven, or from the sons of men? Tell me.”<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/mark/11.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />Was the immersion of John from heaven, or from men? answer me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/mark/11.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br /><FR>Was the baptism of John from heaven, or from men? answer me.<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/mark/11.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />The baptism of John, was it of heaven, or of men? answer me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/mark/11.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />the baptism of John, was it of divine, or of human institution?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/mark/11.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />John's Baptism--was it of Heavenly or of human origin? Answer me."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/mark/11.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br /><FR>The immersion of John, was it from Heaven, or from men? Answer Me."<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/mark/11.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br /><FR>The baptism of John, was <Fr><i>it</i><FR> from heaven, or from men? answer me.<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/mark/11-30.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/DmwDTC71zvQ?start=3838" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/mark/11.htm">Jesus' Authority Challenged</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">29</span>“I will ask you one question,” Jesus replied, “and if you answer Me, I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. <span class="reftext">30</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/2491.htm" title="2491: Iōannou (N-GMS) -- Of Hebrew origin; Joannes, the name of four Israelites.">John’s</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: to (Art-NNS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/908.htm" title="908: baptisma (N-NNS) -- The rite or ceremony of baptism. From baptizo; baptism.">baptism—</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: to (Art-NNS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: ēn (V-IIA-3S) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.">was it</a> <a href="/greek/1537.htm" title="1537: ex (Prep) -- From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out.">from</a> <a href="/greek/3772.htm" title="3772: ouranou (N-GMS) -- Perhaps from the same as oros; the sky; by extension, heaven; by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the Gospel.">heaven</a> <a href="/greek/2228.htm" title="2228: ē (Conj) -- Or, than. A primary particle of distinction between two connected terms; disjunctive, or; comparative, than.">or</a> <a href="/greek/1537.htm" title="1537: ex (Prep) -- From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out.">from</a> <a href="/greek/444.htm" title="444: anthrōpōn (N-GMP) -- A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being.">men?</a> <a href="/greek/611.htm" title="611: apokrithēte (V-AMP-2P) -- From apo and krino; to conclude for oneself, i.e. to respond; by Hebraism to begin to speak.">Answer</a> <a href="/greek/1473.htm" title="1473: moi (PPro-D1S) -- I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.">Me!” </a> </span> <span class="reftext">31</span>They deliberated among themselves what they should answer: “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will ask, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/21-25.htm">Matthew 21:25</a></span><br />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?’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/20-4.htm">Luke 20:4</a></span><br />John’s baptism—was it from heaven, or from men?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/1-33.htm">John 1:33</a></span><br />I myself did not know Him, but the One who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit descend and rest is He who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/1-22.htm">Acts 1:22</a></span><br />beginning from John’s baptism until the day Jesus was taken up from us. For one of these must become a witness with us of His resurrection.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/3-13.htm">Matthew 3:13-17</a></span><br />At that time Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. / But John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?” / “Let it be so now,” Jesus replied. “It is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness in this way.” Then John permitted Him. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/3-21.htm">Luke 3:21-22</a></span><br />When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as He was praying, heaven was opened, / and the Holy Spirit descended on Him in a bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/5-36.htm">John 5:36</a></span><br />But I have testimony more substantial than that of John. For the works that the Father has given Me to accomplish—the very works I am doing—testify about Me that the Father has sent Me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/10-25.htm">John 10:25</a></span><br />“I already told you,” Jesus replied, “but you did not believe. The works I do in My Father’s name testify on My behalf.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/12-49.htm">John 12:49</a></span><br />I have not spoken on My own, but the Father who sent Me has commanded Me what to say and how to say it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/14-10.htm">John 14:10</a></span><br />Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me? The words I say to you, I do not speak on My own. Instead, it is the Father dwelling in Me, performing His works.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/10-37.htm">Acts 10:37-38</a></span><br />You yourselves know what has happened throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee with the baptism that John proclaimed: / how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, because God was with Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/13-24.htm">Acts 13:24-25</a></span><br />Before the arrival of Jesus, John preached a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. / As John was completing his course, he said, ‘Who do you suppose I am? I am not that One. But there is One coming after me whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/40-3.htm">Isaiah 40:3</a></span><br />A voice of one calling: “Prepare the way for the LORD in the wilderness; make a straight highway for our God in the desert.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/malachi/3-1.htm">Malachi 3:1</a></span><br />“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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/malachi/4-5.htm">Malachi 4:5-6</a></span><br />Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and awesome Day of the LORD. / And he will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers. Otherwise, I will come and strike the land with a curse.”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men? answer me.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/mark/1-1.htm">Mark 1:1-11</a></b></br> The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God; … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/mark/9-13.htm">Mark 9:13</a></b></br> But I say unto you, That Elias is indeed come, and they have done unto him whatsoever they listed, as it is written of him.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/3-1.htm">Matthew 3:1-17</a></b></br> In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, … </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/mark/10-39.htm">Baptism</a> <a href="/mark/11-26.htm">Heaven</a> <a href="/matthew/25-31.htm">Heavenly</a> <a href="/mark/7-7.htm">Human</a> <a href="/mark/10-41.htm">John</a> <a href="/mark/6-29.htm">John's</a> <a href="/matthew/21-26.htm">Origin</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/mark/16-16.htm">Baptism</a> <a href="/mark/11-31.htm">Heaven</a> <a href="/mark/11-31.htm">Heavenly</a> <a href="/mark/11-32.htm">Human</a> <a href="/mark/11-32.htm">John</a> <a href="/luke/5-33.htm">John's</a> <a href="/luke/1-3.htm">Origin</a><div class="vheading2">Mark 11</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/mark/11-1.htm">Jesus rides with triumph into Jerusalem;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">12. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/mark/11-12.htm">curses the fruitless fig tree;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">15. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/mark/11-15.htm">purges the temple;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">20. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/mark/11-20.htm">exhorts his disciples to steadfastness of faith, and to forgive their enemies;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">27. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/mark/11-27.htm">and defends his actions by the witness of John, who was a man sent of God.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/mark/11.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/mark/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/mark/11.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>John’s baptism—</b><br>John the Baptist's ministry was a significant precursor to Jesus' own ministry. His baptism symbolized repentance and preparation for the coming Messiah. In the Jewish context, baptism was a ritual of purification, but John's baptism was unique as it called for a moral and spiritual renewal. This phrase highlights the authority and divine mission of John, which was recognized by many, including Jesus Himself. The question posed by Jesus challenges the religious leaders to acknowledge the divine origin of John's mission, which they had previously rejected.<p><b>was it from heaven</b><br>The phrase "from heaven" implies divine authority and origin. In Jewish thought, heaven was synonymous with God, and thus, something from heaven was considered to be sanctioned by God. By questioning whether John's baptism was from heaven, Jesus is asking the religious leaders to consider whether John's ministry was divinely ordained. This also reflects the broader theme in the Gospels of Jesus' own authority being questioned and affirmed as coming from God.<p><b>or from men?</b><br>This presents the alternative that John's baptism could have been a human invention, lacking divine authority. The religious leaders were often concerned with maintaining their own authority and were wary of movements that could undermine their power. By framing the question this way, Jesus forces them to confront their own beliefs about authority and revelation. If they admitted it was from men, they would have to explain why so many people, including themselves at times, were drawn to John's message.<p><b>Answer Me!”</b><br>This command underscores the urgency and importance of the question. Jesus demands a response, highlighting the leaders' reluctance to commit to an answer that would either validate John's ministry or expose their own unbelief. This moment is a turning point, as it reveals the leaders' inability to recognize divine authority when it challenges their own. The imperative "Answer Me!" also reflects Jesus' authoritative teaching style, often seen throughout the Gospels, where He calls for a decision or response from His listeners.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/jesus_christ.htm">Jesus Christ</a></b><br>The central figure in this passage, Jesus is questioning the religious leaders about the authority of John the Baptist's baptism.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/j/john_the_baptist.htm">John the Baptist</a></b><br>A prophet who preached repentance and baptized many, including Jesus. His baptism is the subject of Jesus' question.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/r/religious_leaders.htm">Religious Leaders</a></b><br>The chief priests, scribes, and elders who challenge Jesus' authority, prompting His question about John's baptism.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/j/jerusalem.htm">Jerusalem</a></b><br>The city where this interaction takes place, a significant location for Jewish religious and political life.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_temple.htm">The Temple</a></b><br>The setting of this event, where Jesus is teaching and where the religious leaders confront Him.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/a/authority_from_heaven.htm">Authority from Heaven</a></b><br>Jesus challenges us to discern the source of spiritual authority. Like the religious leaders, we must consider whether our beliefs and practices are rooted in divine authority or human tradition.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/courage_in_confrontation.htm">Courage in Confrontation</a></b><br>Jesus demonstrates courage in confronting the religious leaders. We are called to stand firm in our faith and convictions, even when faced with opposition.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_repentance.htm">The Importance of Repentance</a></b><br>John's baptism was a call to repentance. This remains a foundational aspect of the Christian faith, urging us to continually turn away from sin and towards God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/d/discernment_in_leadership.htm">Discernment in Leadership</a></b><br>The religious leaders' inability to answer Jesus' question reveals a lack of spiritual discernment. As believers, we must seek wisdom and understanding in our leadership and decision-making.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/a/acknowledging_divine_work.htm">Acknowledging Divine Work</a></b><br>Recognizing and affirming God's work in the world is crucial. We should be open to seeing how God is moving in unexpected ways and through unexpected people.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_mark_11.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Mark 11</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_was_john_the_baptist's_role.htm">Who was John the Baptist and what was his role?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/main_themes_in_gospel_of_mark.htm">What are the main themes in the Gospel of Mark?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_many_blind_men_healed_near_jericho.htm">How many blind men did Jesus heal near Jericho? (Matthew 20:30 vs. Mark 10:46)</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_is_the_one_true_god.htm">What does 'You are my Son' signify?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/mark/11.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 30.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">The baptism of John, was it from</span> <span class="cmt_word">heaven, or from men?</span> By the "baptism of John" our Lord means his testimony concerning himself, his doctrine, and nil his preaching. It is a synecdoche - the part put for the whole. The argument is incontrovertible. It is this: "You ask from whence I derive my authority - from God or from men? I in my turn ask you from whom did John the Baptist derive his authority to baptize and to teach? from heaven or from men? If he had it from God, as all will confess, then I too have the same from God; for John testified of me, saying that he was but a servant, the friend of the Bridegroom; but that I was the Messiah, the Son of God: and this too when you sent messengers to him for his special purpose, that you might know from him whether he was the Messias." (See <a href="/john/1-20.htm">John 1:20</a>; <a href="/john/10-41.htm">John 10:41</a>.) <span class="cmt_word">Answer me.</span> This is characteristic of St. Mark's style, and of our Lord's dignified earnestness. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/mark/11-30.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div><span class="word">The</span><br /><span class="grk">τὸ</span> <span class="translit">(to)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article - Nominative Neuter Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">baptism</span><br /><span class="grk">βάπτισμα</span> <span class="translit">(baptisma)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Nominative Neuter Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_908.htm">Strong's 908: </a> </span><span class="str2">The rite or ceremony of baptism. From baptizo; baptism.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of John,</span><br /><span class="grk">Ἰωάννου</span> <span class="translit">(Iōannou)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2491.htm">Strong's 2491: </a> </span><span class="str2">Of Hebrew origin; Joannes, the name of four Israelites.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">was it</span><br /><span class="grk">ἦν</span> <span class="translit">(ēn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1510.htm">Strong's 1510: </a> </span><span class="str2">I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">from</span><br /><span class="grk">ἐξ</span> <span class="translit">(ex)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1537.htm">Strong's 1537: </a> </span><span class="str2">From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">heaven</span><br /><span class="grk">οὐρανοῦ</span> <span class="translit">(ouranou)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3772.htm">Strong's 3772: </a> </span><span class="str2">Perhaps from the same as oros; the sky; by extension, heaven; by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the Gospel.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">or</span><br /><span class="grk">ἢ</span> <span class="translit">(ē)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2228.htm">Strong's 2228: </a> </span><span class="str2">Or, than. A primary particle of distinction between two connected terms; disjunctive, or; comparative, than.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">from</span><br /><span class="grk">ἐξ</span> <span class="translit">(ex)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1537.htm">Strong's 1537: </a> </span><span class="str2">From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">men?</span><br /><span class="grk">ἀνθρώπων</span> <span class="translit">(anthrōpōn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Genitive Masculine Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_444.htm">Strong's 444: </a> </span><span class="str2">A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Answer</span><br /><span class="grk">ἀποκρίθητέ</span> <span class="translit">(apokrithēte)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Imperative Passive - 2nd Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_611.htm">Strong's 611: </a> </span><span class="str2">From apo and krino; to conclude for oneself, i.e. to respond; by Hebraism to begin to speak.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Me!”</span><br /><span class="grk">μοι</span> <span class="translit">(moi)</span><br /><span class="parse">Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 1st Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1473.htm">Strong's 1473: </a> </span><span class="str2">I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/mark/11-30.htm">Mark 11:30 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/mark/11-30.htm">Mark 11:30 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/mark/11-30.htm">Mark 11:30 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/mark/11-30.htm">Mark 11:30 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/mark/11-30.htm">Mark 11:30 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/mark/11-30.htm">Mark 11:30 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/mark/11-30.htm">Mark 11:30 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/mark/11-30.htm">Mark 11:30 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/mark/11-30.htm">Mark 11:30 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/mark/11-30.htm">Mark 11:30 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/mark/11-30.htm">NT Gospels: Mark 11:30 The baptism of John--was it from heaven (Mar Mk Mr) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/mark/11-29.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Mark 11:29"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Mark 11:29" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/mark/11-31.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Mark 11:31"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Mark 11:31" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>