Matthew 21:25

Linguistic Bible Translation from Source Texts

Where did John’s baptism come from? From heaven or from men?' They discussed it among themselves, saying, 'If we say,

📖 Grammatical Analysis

Original Text

Τὸ βάπτισμα Ἰωάννου, πόθεν ἦν; ἐξ οὐρανοῦ, ἢ ἐξ ἀνθρώπων; Οἱ δὲ διελογίζοντο παρʼ ἑαυτοῖς, λέγοντες, Ἐὰν Εἴπωμεν, ἐξ οὐρανοῦ· ἐρεῖ ἡμῖν, Διὰ τί οὖν οὐκ ἐπιστεύσατε αὐτῷ;

Transliteration

The baptisma of Iōannou, from where was it? from ouranou, or from anthrōpōn? They de dielogizonto among themselves, legontes, If we eipōmen, from ouranou; he will erei to us, Dia why then not you episteusate him?

Grammar Details

• *baptisma*: nominative neuter singular - baptism
• *Iōannou*: genitive masculine singular - of John
• *ouranou*: genitive masculine singular - heaven
• *anthrōpōn*: genitive masculine plural - men/people
• *de*: postpositive particle - but/and
• *dielogizonto*: imperfect middle indicative, 3rd person plural - they reasoned/discussed
• *legontes*: present active participle, nominative masculine plural - saying
• *eipōmen*: aorist active subjunctive, 1st person plural - we may say
• *erei*: future active indicative, 3rd person singular - he will say
• *Dia*: preposition with accusative - because of/for
• *episteusate*: aorist active indicative, 2nd person plural - you believed

Word Meanings

• *baptisma*: baptism/immersion/washing
• *ouranou*: heaven/sky
• *anthrōpōn*: men/people/mankind
• *dielogizonto*: reasoned/discussed/deliberated
• *eipōmen*: say/tell/speak
• *erei*: will say/tell/speak
• *episteusate*: believed/trusted/had faith in

Other Translations

• King James Version 1769 (Standard Version)

  The baptism of John, whence was it? from heaven, or of men? And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say unto us, Why did ye not then believe him?

• KJV1611 – Modern English

  The baptism of John, where was it from? From heaven, or from men? And they reasoned among themselves, saying, If we say, From heaven, he will say to us, Why then did you not believe him?

• King James Version 1611 (Original)

  The baptism of John, whence was it? from heaven, or of men? And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say unto us, Why did ye not then believe him?

• American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers

  The baptism of John, whence was it? from heaven or from men? And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say unto us, Why then did ye not believe him?

• King James Version with Strong's Numbers

  The baptism of John, whence was it? from heaven, or of men? And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say unto us, Why did ye not then believe him?

• Tyndale Bible (1526/1534)

  The baptime of Iohn: whence was it? fro heve or of men? Then they reasoned amoge them selves sayinge: yf we shall saye fro heven he will saye vnto vs: why dyd ye not then beleve hym?

• Coverdale Bible (1535)

  The baptime of Iho, whece was it? from heaue, or of men? Then thought they amoge them selues, and saide: Yf we saye it was from heaue, then shal he saye vnto us: Why dyd ye not then beleue him?

• Geneva Bible (1560)

  The baptisme of Iohn, whence was it? From heauen, or of men? Then they reasoned among themselues, saying, If we shall say, From heauen, he will say vnto vs, Why did ye not then beleeue him?

• Bishops' Bible (1568)

  The baptisme of Iohn, whence was it, from heauen, or of men? And they reasoned with them selues saying: if we shall say from heauen, he wyll say vnto vs, why dyd ye not then beleue hym?

• Authorized King James Version (1611)

  ‹The baptism of John, whence was it? from heaven, or of men?› And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say unto us, Why did ye not then believe him?

• Webster's Bible (1833)

  The baptism of John, where was it from? From heaven or from men?" They reasoned with themselves, saying, "If we say, 'From heaven,' he will ask us, 'Why then did you not believe him?'

• Young's Literal Translation (1862/1898)

  the baptism of John, whence was it? -- from heaven, or from men?' And they were reasoning with themselves, saying, `If we should say, From heaven; he will say to us, Wherefore, then, did ye not believe him?

• American Standard Version (1901)

  The baptism of John, whence was it? from heaven or from men? And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say unto us, Why then did ye not believe him?

• American Standard Version (1901)

  The baptism of John, whence was it? from heaven or from men? And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say unto us, Why then did ye not believe him?

• Bible in Basic English (1941)

  The baptism of John, where did it come from? from heaven or from men? And they were reasoning among themselves, saying, If we say, From heaven; he will say to us, Why then did you not have faith in him?

• World English Bible (2000)

  The baptism of John, where was it from? From heaven or from men?" They reasoned with themselves, saying, "If we say, 'From heaven,' he will ask us, 'Why then did you not believe him?'

• NET Bible® (New English Translation)

  Where did John’s baptism come from? From heaven or from people?” They discussed this among themselves, saying,“If we say,‘From heaven,’ he will say,‘Then why did you not believe him?’

Referenced Verses

• 1 John 3:20 : 20 For whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart and knows all things.
• Matt 3:1-9 : 1 At that time, John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, 2 and saying, 'Repent, because the kingdom of heaven has come near.' 3 This is the one who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: 'A voice of one crying out in the wilderness: Prepare the way for the Lord; make His paths straight.' 4 Now John himself had a garment made of camel’s hair, and a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. 5 Then people from Jerusalem, all Judea, and the entire region around the Jordan were going out to him, 6 and they were being baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins. 7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, 'You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? 8 Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. 9 And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that God is able to raise up children for Abraham from these stones. 10 Even now the axe is laid at the root of the trees. Therefore, every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. 11 I baptize you with water for repentance, but the one who is coming after me is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 12 His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will thoroughly cleanse his threshing floor. He will gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.
• Matt 11:7-9 : 7 As they were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: "What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind? 8 But what did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft garments? Look, those who wear soft clothing live in royal palaces. 9 But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10 This is the one about whom it is written: 'Behold, I send My messenger ahead of You, who will prepare Your way before You.' 11 Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not arisen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12 From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been subjected to force, and forceful people lay hold of it. 13 For all the prophets and the Law prophesied until John. 14 And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come. 15 He who has ears, let him hear.
• Matt 17:12-13 : 12 But I tell you, Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him. Instead, they did to him whatever they pleased. In the same way, the Son of Man is about to suffer at their hands.' 13 Then the disciples understood that He was speaking to them about John the Baptist.
• Mark 1:1-9 : 1 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. 2 As it is written in the prophets: 'See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.' 3 'A voice is calling out in the wilderness: Prepare the way for the Lord; make his paths straight.' 4 John appeared in the wilderness, baptizing and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem came out to him. They were baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins. 6 John was dressed in camel's hair with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7 He proclaimed: 'After me comes one more powerful than I, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie.' 8 'I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.' 9 In those days Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 As Jesus came up out of the water, he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. 11 And a voice came from heaven: 'You are my beloved Son; in you I am well pleased.'
• Mark 11:27-33 : 27 They came again to Jerusalem. As he was walking in the temple courts, the chief priests, scribes, and elders came to him. 28 They asked him, 'By what authority are you doing these things? And who gave you the authority to do this?' 29 Jesus said to them, 'I will ask you one question. If you answer me, then I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things.' 30 'Was John's baptism from heaven or from men? Answer me.' 31 They reasoned among themselves, saying, 'If we say, From heaven, he will ask, Then why didn’t you believe him?' 32 But if we say, 'From men,' they were afraid of the crowd, for everyone regarded John as truly a prophet. 33 So they answered Jesus, 'We don't know.' And Jesus said to them, 'Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.'
• Luke 1:11-17 : 11 Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the altar of incense. 12 When Zechariah saw him, he was startled, and fear fell upon him. 13 But the angel said to him, "Do not be afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to name him John. 14 You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth. 15 For he will be great in the sight of the Lord and will never drink wine or strong drink. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother’s womb. 16 He will turn many of the children of Israel back to the Lord their God. 17 And he will go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of fathers to their children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous, to prepare a people fit for the Lord.
• Luke 1:67-80 : 67 Then Zechariah, his father, was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied, saying: 68 'Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, because He has visited and provided redemption for His people. 69 He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of His servant David, 70 just as He spoke through the mouth of His holy prophets from long ago— 71 salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us. 72 He has shown mercy to our ancestors and remembered His holy covenant— 73 the oath that He swore to our father Abraham, to grant us: 74 that we, being rescued from the hand of our enemies, would serve Him without fear, 75 in holiness and righteousness before Him all our days. 76 And you, child, will be called a prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare His ways, 77 to give His people knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins. 78 Because of our God's tender mercy, the dawn from on high will visit us, 79 to shine on those who live in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace. 80 The child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the wilderness until the day of his public appearance to Israel.
• Luke 3:2-9 : 2 during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John, the son of Zechariah, in the wilderness. 3 And he went into all the region around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, 4 as it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet: "The voice of one crying out in the wilderness, 'Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.'" 5 Every valley will be filled, and every mountain and hill will be made low; the crooked paths will become straight, and the rough ways will be made smooth, 6 and all humanity will see God's salvation. 7 John said to the crowds coming to be baptized by him, "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?" 8 Produce fruit in keeping with repentance, and do not begin to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' For I tell you that God is able to raise up children for Abraham from these stones. 9 The axe is already laid at the root of the trees, so every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. 10 The crowds were asking him, "What, then, should we do?" 11 He replied to them, "Anyone who has two tunics must share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food must do the same." 12 Even tax collectors came to be baptized, and they asked him, "Teacher, what should we do?" 13 He told them, "Do not collect anything more than what is required." 14 Then some soldiers also questioned him, saying, "And what should we do?" He replied to them, "Do not extort money from anyone or accuse anyone falsely; be content with your wages." 15 As the people were waiting expectantly and all were pondering in their hearts about John, whether he might be the Christ, 16 John answered them all by saying, "I baptize you with water, but one who is mightier than I is coming, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 17 His winnowing fork is in his hand to thoroughly clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire." 18 And in many other ways, with various exhortations, he proclaimed the good news to the people. 19 But Herod the tetrarch, being reproved by John about Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, and for all the evil things he had done, 20 added to these things by imprisoning John in prison as well.
• Luke 7:28-35 : 28 'I tell you, among those born of women, no one is greater than John the Baptist. Yet, the least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.' 29 (When all the people, including the tax collectors, heard this, they acknowledged that God's way was right, because they had been baptized by John.) 30 But the Pharisees and the experts in the law rejected God's plan for themselves, because they had not been baptized by him. 31 Jesus said, 'To what, then, can I compare the people of this generation? What are they like?' 32 'They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling to one another: "We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a lament, and you did not weep."' 33 'For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, "He has a demon!"' 34 'The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, "Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!"' 35 'Yet wisdom is justified by all her children.'
• Luke 20:5 : 5 They discussed it among themselves, saying, 'If we say, "From heaven," he will say, "Why did you not believe him?"
• John 1:6 : 6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
• John 1:15 : 15 John testified about Him and cried out, saying, 'This is the one I spoke about when I said, “He who comes after me has surpassed me because He was before me.”'
• John 1:25-34 : 25 They asked him, 'Why then do you baptize, if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?' 26 John answered them, saying, 'I baptize with water, but among you stands one you do not know.' 27 He is the one who comes after me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to untie. 28 This all happened in Bethany across the Jordan, where John was baptizing. 29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, 'Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!' 30 This is the one I was talking about when I said, “A man who comes after me has surpassed me because He was before me.” 31 I myself did not know Him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that He might be revealed to Israel. 32 Then John testified, saying, 'I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it remained on Him.' 33 I myself did not know Him, but the One who sent me to baptize with water told me, 'The one on whom you see the Spirit descending and remaining is the One who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.' 34 I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God.
• John 3:18 : 18 Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is already condemned, because they have not believed in the name of the one and only Son of God.
• John 3:26-36 : 26 So they came to John and said to him, 'Rabbi, the one who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you testified—look, He is baptizing, and everyone is coming to Him.' 27 John replied, 'No one can receive anything unless it has been given to him from heaven.' 28 'You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Christ, but I have been sent ahead of Him.’ 29 The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. But the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and listens to him, rejoices greatly at the sound of the bridegroom's voice. Therefore, this joy of mine is now complete. 30 He must increase, but I must decrease. 31 The one who comes from above is above all. The one who is from the earth belongs to the earth and speaks about earthly things. The one who comes from heaven is above all. 32 He testifies to what He has seen and heard, yet no one accepts His testimony. 33 Whoever accepts His testimony certifies that God is truthful. 34 For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without measure. 35 The Father loves the Son and has placed all things in His hands. 36 The one who believes in the Son has eternal life. But the one who disobeys the Son will not see life; instead, the wrath of God remains on him.
• John 5:33-36 : 33 You sent messengers to John, and he testified to the truth. 34 But I do not accept testimony from a man; rather, I say these things so that you may be saved. 35 John was a lamp that burned and shone, and for a time, you were willing to rejoice in his light. 36 But I have testimony greater than John's: the works the Father has given Me to complete, the very works I am doing, testify about Me that the Father has sent Me.
• John 5:44-47 : 44 How can you believe, when you accept glory from one another but do not seek the glory that comes from the one and only God? 45 Do not think that I will accuse you before the Father. Your accuser is Moses, on whom you have set your hope. 46 If you believed Moses, you would believe me, because he wrote about me. 47 But if you do not believe what he wrote, how will you believe what I say?
• John 10:25-26 : 25 Jesus answered them, 'I told you, and you do not believe. The works I do in my Father's name testify about me, 26 but you do not believe because you are not my sheep.
• John 12:37-43 : 37 Though He had performed so many signs in their presence, they did not believe in Him. 38 This was to fulfill the word of Isaiah the prophet, who said: "Lord, who has believed our message? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?" 39 This is why they were unable to believe, because Isaiah also said: 40 "He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts, so that they would not see with their eyes or understand with their hearts, and turn, and I would heal them." 41 Isaiah said these things because he saw His glory and spoke about Him. 42 Nevertheless, many even among the rulers believed in Him. But because of the Pharisees, they did not confess Him, so that they would not be expelled from the synagogue. 43 For they loved the approval of people more than the approval of God.