Luke 20 · Verse 4

Luke 20:4

The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men?
Luke 20:4, King James Version

Luke 20:4 in other translations

BSBJohn’s baptism—was it from heaven, or from men?”
WEBthe baptism of John, was it from heaven, or from men?”
ASVThe baptism of John, was it from heaven, or from men?
YLTthe baptism of John, from heaven was it, or from men?'
DARBYThe baptism of John, was it of heaven or of men?
BBEThe baptism of John, was it from heaven or of men?
WebsterThe baptism of John, was it from heaven, or from men?

What does Luke 20:4 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
4. baptism of John--his whole ministry and mission, of which baptism was the seal.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Luke 20:1-8

Men often pretend to examine the evidences of revelation, and the truth of the gospel, when only seeking excuses for their own unbelief and disobedience. Christ answered these priests and scribes with a plain question about the baptism of John, which the common people could answer. They all knew it was from heaven, nothing in it had an earthly tendency. Those that bury the knowledge they have, are justly denied…

Read the full comment on Luke 20:1-8 →

Luke 20:4 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

τὸtoTheG3588
βάπτισμαbaptismabaptismG908
ἸωάννουIōannouof JohnG2491
ἐξexfromG1537
οὐρανοῦouranouheavenG3772
ἦνēnwas itG1510
ἢēorG2228
ἐξexfromG1537
ἀνθρώπων;anthrōpōnmen?G444

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Luke 20:4

  • Matthew 11:7-19

    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? But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses. But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet. For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. …

  • Daniel 4:25-26

    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. And whereas they commanded to leave the stump of the tree roots; thy kingdom shall be sure unto thee, after that thou shalt have known that the heavens do rule.

  • Luke 15:18

    I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,

  • Matthew 17:11-12

    And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things. But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them.

  • John 1:19-28

    And this is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who art thou? And he confessed, and denied not; but confessed, I am not the Christ. And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elias? And he saith, I am not. Art thou that prophet? And he answered, No. Then said they unto him, Who art thou? that we may give an answer to them that sent us. What sayest thou of thyself? …

  • Matthew 21:25-32

    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? But if we shall say, Of men; we fear the people; for all hold John as a prophet. And they answered Jesus, and said, We cannot tell. And he said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things. But what think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard. …

  • Luke 7:28-35

    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. And all the people that heard him, and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John. But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him. And the Lord said, Whereunto then shall I liken the men of this generation? and to what are they like? …

  • John 1:6

    There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
baptism.
7:28-35; Mt 11:7-19; 17:11,12; 21:25-32; Joh 1:6,19-28
from.
15:18; Da 4:25,26

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Luke 20:3

    And he answered and said unto them, I will also ask you one thing; and answer me:

  • Luke 20:4

    The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men?

  • Luke 20:5

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

Read all of Luke 20

Luke 20:4 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909
El bautismo de Juan, ¿era del cielo, ó de los hombres?
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885
Le baptême de Jean était-il du ciel, ou des hommes?
German
Elberfelder 1871
Die Taufe Johannes, war sie vom Himmel oder von Menschen?
Latin
Clementine Vulgate
baptismus Joannis de cælo erat, an ex hominibus?