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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>Luke 20:4 John's baptism--was it from heaven, or from men?"</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/luke/20-4.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/9/42_Luk_20_04.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Luke 20:4 - 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?" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script 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frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/luke/20-3.htm" title="Luke 20:3">◄</a> Luke 20:4 <a href="/luke/20-5.htm" title="Luke 20:5">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/luke/20.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/luke/20.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />John&#8217s baptism—was it from heaven, or of human origin?&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/luke/20.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />“Did John’s authority to baptize come from heaven, or was it merely human?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/luke/20.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />was the baptism of John from heaven or from man?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/luke/20.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />John’s baptism—was it from heaven, or from men?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/luke/20.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or from men?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/luke/20.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/luke/20.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />The baptism of John—was it from heaven or from men?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/luke/20.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Was the baptism of John from heaven or from men?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/luke/20.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220Was the baptism of John from heaven or from men?&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/luke/20.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“Was the baptism of John from heaven or from men?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/luke/20.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Was the baptism of John from heaven or from men?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/luke/20.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />The baptism of John [the Baptist]—was it from heaven [that is, ordained by God] or from men?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/luke/20.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />was the baptism of John from heaven or of human origin? ”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/luke/20.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />was the baptism of John from heaven or from men?&#8221 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/luke/20.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or from men?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/luke/20.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/luke/20.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or from men?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/luke/20.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />did John's right to baptize come from heaven or from humans?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/luke/20.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />did John's right to baptize come from God or from human beings?" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/luke/20.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Was John's authority to baptize from heaven or from humans?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/luke/20.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />John?s baptism?was it from heaven, or from men??<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/luke/20.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />John's baptism--was it from heaven or from people?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/luke/20.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />the baptism of John, was it from heaven, or from people?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/luke/20.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or from men?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/luke/20.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />"was John's baptism of Heavenly or of human origin?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/luke/20.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />the baptism of John, was it from heaven, or from men?” <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/luke/20.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />the immersion of John, was it from Heaven, or from men?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/luke/20.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or from men?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/luke/20.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> the baptism of John, from heaven was it, or from men?'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/luke/20.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Was the immersion of John of heaven, or of men.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/luke/20.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/luke/20.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/luke/20.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />was John’s baptism of heavenly or of human origin?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/luke/20.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Did the baptism of John come from heaven, or was it of human origin?”<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/luke/20.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />The baptism of John, was it from heaven or from men?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/luke/20.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />“Was the baptism of Yohannan from Heaven, or from men?”<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/luke/20.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />Was the immersion of John from heaven, or from men?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/luke/20.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br /><FR>Was the baptism of John from heaven, or from men?<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/luke/20.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/luke/20.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />tell me, the baptism of John, was it a divine or a human institution?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/luke/20.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />"was John's baptism of Heavenly or of human origin?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/luke/20.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br /><FR>The immersion of John, was it from Heaven, or of men?"<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/luke/20.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br /><FR>Was the baptism of John from heaven or from men?<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/luke/20-4.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/3-5_0Jtd9Lc?start=7835" 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/luke/20.htm">Jesus' Authority Challenged</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">3</span>“I will also ask you a question,” Jesus replied. “Tell Me: <span class="reftext">4</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/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> </span> <span class="reftext">5</span>They deliberated among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will ask, ‘Why 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="/mark/11-30.htm">Mark 11:30</a></span><br />John’s baptism—was it from heaven or from men? Answer Me!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/1-6.htm">John 1:6-7</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/3-1.htm">Matthew 3:1-6</a></span><br />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.’” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/1-4.htm">Mark 1:4-5</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/1-19.htm">John 1:19-27</a></span><br />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.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/19-4.htm">Acts 19:4</a></span><br />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.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/11-7.htm">Matthew 11:7-11</a></span><br />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. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/7-24.htm">Luke 7:24-28</a></span><br />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. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/5-33.htm">John 5:33-35</a></span><br />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.<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="/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="/matthew/3-11.htm">Matthew 3:11</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/1-7.htm">Mark 1:7-8</a></span><br />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.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/3-16.htm">Luke 3:16</a></span><br />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.</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?</p><p class="hdg">baptism.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/luke/7-28.htm">Luke 7:28-35</a></b></br> 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… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/11-7.htm">Matthew 11:7-19</a></b></br> 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? … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/17-11.htm">Matthew 17:11,12</a></b></br> And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things… </p><p class="hdg">from.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/luke/15-18.htm">Luke 15:18</a></b></br> I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/daniel/4-25.htm">Daniel 4:25,26</a></b></br> 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… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/luke/12-50.htm">Baptism</a> <a href="/luke/19-38.htm">Heaven</a> <a href="/luke/11-13.htm">Heavenly</a> <a href="/luke/11-13.htm">Human</a> <a href="/luke/16-16.htm">John</a> <a href="/luke/7-30.htm">John's</a> <a href="/luke/1-3.htm">Origin</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/john/1-25.htm">Baptism</a> <a href="/luke/20-5.htm">Heaven</a> <a href="/luke/20-5.htm">Heavenly</a> <a href="/luke/20-6.htm">Human</a> <a href="/luke/20-6.htm">John</a> <a href="/john/1-19.htm">John's</a> <a href="/luke/20-7.htm">Origin</a><div class="vheading2">Luke 20</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/luke/20-1.htm">Jesus confirms his authority by a question of John's baptism.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">9. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/luke/20-9.htm">The parable of the vineyard.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">19. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/luke/20-19.htm">Of giving tribute to Caesar.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">27. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/luke/20-27.htm">He instructs the Sadducees, who denied the resurrection.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">41. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/luke/20-41.htm">How Jesus is the Son of David.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">45. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/luke/20-45.htm">He warns his disciples to beware of the scribes.</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/luke/20.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/luke/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/luke/20.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 cleansing, but John's baptism was unique as it called for a moral and spiritual renewal. John’s role as a forerunner is prophesied in <a href="/isaiah/40-3.htm">Isaiah 40:3</a> and <a href="/malachi/3.htm">Malachi 3:1</a>, preparing the way for the Lord. His baptism was a public declaration of repentance and a call to live righteously in anticipation of the Messiah's arrival.<p><b>was it from heaven,</b><br>The question of whether John's baptism was from heaven implies divine authority and origin. In Jewish thought, something from heaven was considered to be from God, carrying His endorsement and authority. This phrase challenges the religious leaders to recognize the divine nature of John's mission. If they acknowledged it as from heaven, they would have to accept John's testimony about Jesus as the Messiah, which they were reluctant to do.<p><b>or from men?”</b><br>This alternative suggests a human origin, implying that John's baptism was merely a human tradition or innovation without divine backing. The religious leaders were hesitant to affirm this because John was widely regarded as a prophet by the people (<a href="/matthew/21-26.htm">Matthew 21:26</a>). Acknowledging it as merely human would risk alienating the populace who held John in high esteem. This question exposes the leaders' unwillingness to accept divine truth when it conflicts with their own authority and preconceived notions.<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 teaching in the temple courts and is questioned by the religious leaders.<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 people, preparing the way for Jesus. His baptism is the subject of Jesus' question.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/r/religious_leaders.htm">Religious Leaders (Chief Priests, Scribes, and Elders)</a></b><br>These are the individuals questioning Jesus' authority, prompting His response about John's baptism.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/temple_in_jerusalem.htm">Temple in Jerusalem</a></b><br>The setting of this event, where Jesus is teaching and being questioned.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_baptism_of_john.htm">The Baptism of John</a></b><br>A significant event and practice that symbolized repentance and preparation for the coming Messiah.<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. True authority comes from God, not human institutions.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/courage_in_truth.htm">Courage in Truth</a></b><br>Like Jesus, we should stand firm in truth, even when questioned or challenged by those in authority.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/recognition_of_god's_work.htm">Recognition of God's Work</a></b><br>We must be attentive to recognize and affirm God's work in the world, as seen in the ministry of John the Baptist.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/repentance_and_preparation.htm">Repentance and Preparation</a></b><br>John's baptism symbolizes the need for repentance and preparation for receiving Christ. This remains relevant for believers today.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/d/discernment_in_spiritual_matters.htm">Discernment in Spiritual Matters</a></b><br>Believers are called to discern the spiritual origins of teachings and practices, ensuring they align with God's Word.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_luke_20.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Luke 20</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/how_are_god's_thoughts_superior.htm">Why did Jesus undergo baptism by John?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_reliable_is_luke_20_1-8.htm">Luke 20:1-8: How historically reliable is the account of Jesus questioning the religious leaders when there is limited external confirmation of this exchange?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_jesus's_testimony_meet_witness_rules.htm">John 8:14-18: How do Jesus's statements about His testimony reconcile with other biblical passages that require two or more witnesses?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/luke/20-4.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">John’s</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">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">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 /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/luke/20-4.htm">Luke 20:4 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/luke/20-4.htm">Luke 20:4 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/luke/20-4.htm">Luke 20:4 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/luke/20-4.htm">Luke 20:4 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/luke/20-4.htm">Luke 20:4 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/luke/20-4.htm">Luke 20:4 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/luke/20-4.htm">Luke 20:4 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/luke/20-4.htm">Luke 20:4 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/luke/20-4.htm">Luke 20:4 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/luke/20-4.htm">Luke 20:4 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/luke/20-4.htm">NT Gospels: Luke 20:4 The baptism of John was it (Luke Lu Lk) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/luke/20-3.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Luke 20:3"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Luke 20:3" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/luke/20-5.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Luke 20:5"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Luke 20:5" /></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>