Mark 11:31

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say, Why then did ye not believe him?

Complete Jewish Bible:

They discussed it among themselves: "If we say, `From Heaven,' he will say, `Then why didn't you believe him?'

Berean Standard Bible:

They deliberated among themselves what they should answer: “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will ask, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’

American Standard Version:

And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say, Why then did ye not believe him?

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And^{G2532} they reasoned^{G3049} with^{G4314} themselves^{G1438}, saying^{G3004}, If^{G1437} we shall say^{G2036}, From^{G1537} heaven^{G3772}; he will say^{G2046}, Why^{G1302} then^{G3767} did ye^{G4100} not^{G3756} believe^{G4100} him^{G846}?

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Commentary for Mark 11:31

Mark 11:31 is part of a larger narrative found in Mark 11:27-33, where Jesus is confronted by the chief priests, scribes, and elders while teaching in the Temple. These religious leaders question Jesus' authority to teach and perform miracles. In verse 31, the leaders engage in a private discussion, contemplating how to respond to Jesus' counter-question regarding the baptism of John the Baptist. They find themselves in a dilemma: if they acknowledge that John's authority was from heaven, they would be hard-pressed to explain why they did not believe in him or in Jesus, whom John endorsed. This reflects their reluctance to accept the divine authority of both John and Jesus, likely due to political and religious concerns, as well as their desire to maintain their own power and status.

The historical context of this verse is crucial to understanding the tension. At the time, Judea was under Roman occupation, and the Jewish religious leaders were in a delicate position, trying to balance their allegiance to Jewish law and tradition with the demands of the Roman authorities. John the Baptist and Jesus were seen as potential threats to this fragile balance because of their growing influence and message of repentance and the coming Kingdom of God. The leaders' hesitation to endorse John's divine authority, even in their private reasoning, reveals their fear of the implications of such an endorsement—it would mean accepting Jesus as the Messiah, which could lead to upheaval and possible retaliation from Rome.

The themes present in this verse include the nature of authority, the challenge of faith when it conflicts with self-interest, and the political and religious dynamics of the time. It highlights the human tendency to rationalize and justify one's actions to avoid uncomfortable truths or consequences. The verse also underscores the importance of integrity and the courage to acknowledge the truth, even when it is inconvenient or challenging to one's established beliefs and social standing.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: G2532
   There are 5212 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: καί
   Transliteration: kaí
   Pronunciation: kahee
   Description: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
   
2. Strong's Number: G3049
   There are 40 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: λογίζομαι
   Transliteration: logízomai
   Pronunciation: log-id'-zom-ahee
   Description: middle voice from λόγος; to take an inventory, i.e. estimate (literally or figuratively):--conclude, (ac-)count (of), + despise, esteem, impute, lay, number, reason, reckon, suppose, think (on).
   
3. Strong's Number: G4314
   There are 674 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: πρός
   Transliteration: prós
   Pronunciation: pros
   Description: a strengthened form of πρό; a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e. pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of, i.e. near to; usually with the accusative case, the place, time, occasion, or respect, which is the destination of the relation, i.e. whither or for which it is predicated):--about, according to , against, among, at, because of, before, between, (where-)by, for, X at thy house, in, for intent, nigh unto, of, which pertain to, that, to (the end that), X together, to (you) -ward, unto, with(-in). In the comparative case, it denotes essentially the same applications, namely, motion towards, accession to, or nearness at.
   
4. Strong's Number: G1438
   There are 312 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἑαυτοῦ
   Transliteration: heautoû
   Pronunciation: heh-ow-too'
   Description: from a reflexive pronoun otherwise obsolete and the genitive case (dative case or accusative case) of αὐτός; him- (her-, it-, them-, also (in conjunction with the personal pronoun of the other persons) my-, thy-, our-, your-) self (selves), etc.:--alone, her (own, -self), (he) himself, his (own), itself, one (to) another, our (thine) own(-selves), + that she had, their (own, own selves), (of) them(-selves), they, thyself, you, your (own, own conceits, own selves, -selves).
   
5. Strong's Number: G3004
   There are 1244 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: λέγω
   Transliteration: légō
   Pronunciation: leg'-o
   Description: a primary verb; properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas ἔπω and φημί generally refer to an individual expression or speech respectively; while ῥέω is properly to break silence merely, and λαλέω means an extended or random harangue)); by implication, to mean:--ask, bid, boast, call, describe, give out, name, put forth, say(-ing, on), shew, speak, tell, utter.
   
6. Strong's Number: G1437
   There are 254 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἐάν
   Transliteration: eán
   Pronunciation: eh-an'
   Description: from εἰ and ἄν; a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.; often used in connection with other particles to denote indefiniteness or uncertainty:--before, but, except, (and) if, (if) so, (what-, whither-)soever, though, when (-soever), whether (or), to whom, (who-)so(-ever). See μή.
   
7. Strong's Number: G2036
   There are 901 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἔπω
   Transliteration: épō
   Pronunciation: ep'-o
   Description: a primary verb (used only in the definite past tense, the others being borrowed from ἐρέω, ῥέω, and φημί); to speak or say (by word or writing):--answer, bid, bring word, call, command, grant, say (on), speak, tell. Compare λέγω.
   
8. Strong's Number: G1537
   There are 761 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἐκ
   Transliteration: ek
   Pronunciation: ex
   Description: a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause; literal or figurative; direct or remote):--after, among, X are, at, betwixt(-yond), by (the means of), exceedingly, (+ abundantly above), for(- th), from (among, forth, up), + grudgingly, + heartily, X heavenly, X hereby, + very highly, in, …ly, (because, by reason) of, off (from), on, out among (from, of), over, since, X thenceforth, through, X unto, X vehemently, with(-out). Often used in composition, with the same general import; often of completion.
   
9. Strong's Number: G3772
   There are 264 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: οὐρανός
   Transliteration: ouranós
   Pronunciation: oo-ran-os'
   Description: perhaps from the same as ὄρος (through the idea of elevation); the sky; by extension, heaven (as the abode of God); by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the Gospel (Christianity):--air, heaven(-ly), sky.
   
10. Strong's Number: G2046
    There are 71 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἐρέω
    Transliteration: eréō
    Pronunciation: er-eh'-o
    Description: probably a fuller form of ῥέω; an alternate for ἔπω in certain tenses; to utter, i.e. speak or say:--call, say, speak (of), tell.
    
11. Strong's Number: G1302
    There are 26 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: διατί
    Transliteration: diatí
    Pronunciation: dee-at-ee'
    Description: from διά and τίς; through what cause ?, i.e. why?:--wherefore, why.
    
12. Strong's Number: G3767
    There are 519 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: οὖν
    Transliteration: oûn
    Pronunciation: oon
    Description: apparently a primary word; (adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly:--and (so, truly), but, now (then), so (likewise then), then, therefore, verily, wherefore.
    
13. Strong's Number: G4100
    There are 220 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: πιστεύω
    Transliteration: pisteúō
    Pronunciation: pist-yoo'-o
    Description: from πίστις; to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), i.e. credit; by implication, to entrust (especially one's spiritual well-being to Christ):--believe(-r), commit (to trust), put in trust with.
    
14. Strong's Number: G3756
    There are 1328 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: οὐ
    Transliteration: ou
    Pronunciation: ookh
    Description: a primary word; the absolute negative (compare μή) adverb; no or not:--+ long, nay, neither, never, no (X man), none, (can-)not, + nothing, + special, un(-worthy), when, + without, + yet but. See also οὐ μή, μῆκος.
    
15. Strong's Number: G846
    There are 3776 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: αὐτός
    Transliteration: autós
    Pronunciation: ow-tos'
    Description: from the particle (perhaps akin to the base of ἀήρ through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative ἑαυτοῦ) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons:--her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which. Compare αὑτοῦ.