Luke 20:5

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

And {G1161} they reasoned {G4817} with {G4314} themselves {G1438}, saying {G3004},{G3754} If {G1437} we shall say {G2036}, From {G1537} heaven {G3772}; he will say {G2046}, Why {G1302} then {G3767} believed ye {G4100} him {G846} not {G3756}?

They discussed it among themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From Heaven,’ he will say, ‘Then why didn’t you believe him?’

They deliberated among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will ask, ‘Why did you not believe him?’

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

Luke 20:5 captures the internal dilemma of the chief priests, scribes, and elders as they attempt to answer Jesus' challenging question about the source of John the Baptist's authority. This verse exposes their true motives and the cunning, yet ultimately self-defeating, nature of their opposition to Christ.

Context

This verse is part of a direct confrontation in the Temple courts. After Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem and His teaching there, the religious leaders—the chief priests, scribes, and elders (Luke 20:1)—challenged His authority to teach and perform miracles. Jesus, in turn, posed a counter-question to them: "The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men?" (Luke 20:4). Luke 20:5 reveals their private deliberation as they weigh the political and social consequences of their answer, rather than seeking the truth.

Key Themes

  • Hypocrisy and Self-Preservation: The religious leaders are not genuinely seeking truth or understanding Jesus' authority. Instead, they are calculating the safest answer that will protect their reputation and power. Their primary concern is avoiding public embarrassment or alienating the people.
  • Fear of Man vs. Fear of God: The verse highlights their overwhelming fear of human opinion. They are more concerned with how the crowd will react (Luke 20:6) than with acknowledging divine truth or facing God's judgment.
  • Rejection of Divine Revelation: If they admitted John's baptism was "from heaven," they would be forced to confront their own unbelief in John's message and, by extension, in Jesus, whom John proclaimed (John 1:29). Their refusal to believe John the Baptist, who preached repentance and prepared the way for the Messiah, underscored their spiritual blindness and resistance to God's plan.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "reasoned with themselves" (Greek: syllogizomai) implies a process of internal debate and logical deduction. It's not a search for spiritual understanding but a pragmatic, self-serving calculation of consequences. They were not seeking wisdom from God but rather a strategic answer to outmaneuver Jesus.

Practical Application

This passage serves as a powerful reminder for believers today. We are often tempted to prioritize human approval or social convenience over divine truth. Do we, like the religious leaders, avoid uncomfortable truths or refuse to acknowledge what God has clearly revealed, simply because it might challenge our comfort, reputation, or worldview? True wisdom lies not in clever reasoning to avoid conviction, but in humble submission to God's revealed will and a sincere desire to believe and obey Him, regardless of the cost.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • John 1:15

    ¶ John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me.

  • John 1:18

    No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared [him].

  • John 1:34

    And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.

  • John 1:30

    This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me.

  • Acts 13:25

    And as John fulfilled his course, he said, Whom think ye that I am? I am not [he]. But, behold, there cometh one after me, whose shoes of [his] feet I am not worthy to loose.

  • John 5:33

    Ye sent unto John, and he bare witness unto the truth.

  • John 5:35

    He was a burning and a shining light: and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light.

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