Luke 20:4

NET Bible® (New English Translation)

John’s baptism– was it from heaven or from people?”

📖 Grammatical Analysis

Original Text

Τὸ βάπτισμα Ἰωάννου, ἐξ οὐρανοῦ ἦν, ἢ ἐξ ἀνθρώπων;

Transliteration

The baptisma of Iōannou, from ouranou was ēn, or from anthrōpōn?

Grammar Details

• *baptisma*: nominative, neuter, singular - baptism
• *Iōannou*: genitive, masculine, singular - of John
• *ouranou*: genitive, masculine, singular - of heaven
• *ēn*: imperfect active, 3rd singular - was
• *anthrōpōn*: genitive, masculine, plural - of men/people

Word Meanings

• *baptisma*: baptism/immersion/washing ritual
• *ouranou*: heaven/sky
• *anthrōpōn*: men/people/human beings

Referenced Verses

• Luke 15:18 : 18 I will get up and go to my father and say to him,“Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.
• John 1:6 : 6 A man came, sent from God, whose name was John.
• John 1:19-28 : 19 The Testimony of John the Baptist Now this was John’s testimony when the Jewish leaders sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him,“Who are you?” 20 He confessed– he did not deny but confessed–“I am not the Christ!” 21 So they asked him,“Then who are you? Are you Elijah?” He said,“I am not!”“Are you the Prophet?” He answered,“No!” 22 Then they said to him,“Who are you? Tell us so that we can give an answer to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” 23 John said,“I am the voice of one shouting in the wilderness,‘Make straight the way for the Lord,’ as the prophet Isaiah said.” 24 (Now they had been sent from the Pharisees.) 25 So they asked John,“Why then are you baptizing if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?” 26 John answered them,“I baptize with water. Among you stands one whom you do not recognize, 27 who is coming after me. I am not worthy to untie the strap of his sandal!” 28 These things happened in Bethany across the Jordan River where John was baptizing.
• Dan 4:25-26 : 25 You will be driven from human society, and you will live with the wild animals. You will be fed grass like oxen, and you will become damp with the dew of the sky. Seven periods of time will pass by for you, before you understand that the Most High is ruler over human kingdoms and gives them to whomever he wishes. 26 They said to leave the taproot of the tree, for your kingdom will be restored to you when you come to understand that heaven rules.
• Matt 11:7-9 : 7 While they were going away, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John:“What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? 8 What did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Look, those who wear soft clothing are in the palaces of kings! 9 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:‘Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.’ 11 “I tell you the truth, among those born of women, no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he is! 12 From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and forceful people lay hold of it. 13 For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John appeared. 14 And if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah, who is to come. 15 The one who has ears had better listen! 16 “To what should I compare this generation? They are like children sitting in the marketplaces who call out to one another, 17 ‘We played the flute for you, yet you did not dance; we wailed in mourning, yet you did not weep.’ 18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say,‘He has a demon!’ 19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say,‘Look at him, a glutton and a drunk, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ But wisdom is vindicated by her deeds.”
• Matt 17:11-12 : 11 He answered,“Elijah does indeed come first and will restore all things. 12 And I tell you that Elijah has already come. Yet they did not recognize him, but did to him whatever they wanted. In the same way, the Son of Man will suffer at their hands.”
• Matt 21:25-32 : 25 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?’ 26 But if we say,‘From people,’ we fear the crowd, for they all consider John to be a prophet.” 27 So they answered Jesus,“We don’t know.” Then he said to them,“Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things. 28 The Parable of the Two Sons“What do you think? A man had two sons. He went to the first and said,‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’ 29 The boy answered,‘I will not.’ But later he had a change of heart and went. 30 The father went to the other son and said the same thing. This boy answered,‘I will, sir,’ but did not go. 31 Which of the two did his father’s will?” They said,“The first.” Jesus said to them,“I tell you the truth, tax collectors and prostitutes will go ahead of you into the kingdom of God! 32 For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him. But the tax collectors and prostitutes did believe. Although you saw this, you did not later change your minds and believe him.
• Luke 7:28-35 : 28 I tell you, among those born of women no one is greater than John. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he is.” 29 (Now all the people who heard this, even the tax collectors, acknowledged God’s justice, because they had been baptized with John’s baptism. 30 However, the Pharisees and the experts in religious law rejected God’s purpose for themselves, because they had not been baptized by John.) 31 “To what then should I compare the people of this generation, and what are they like? 32 They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling out to one another,‘We played the flute for you, yet you did not dance; we wailed in mourning, yet you did not weep.’ 33 For John the Baptist has come eating no bread and drinking no wine, and you say,‘He has a demon!’ 34 The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say,‘Look at him, a glutton and a drunk, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ 35 But wisdom is vindicated by all her children.”