Marcos 11
Kenneth Wuest · Citado em PreceptAustin
Marcos 11
Wuest - Expositors says: “The state of things Jesus saw in the temple yesterday has been in His mind ever since (Mk 11:11) through the night watches in Bethany; in the morning, killing appetite; on the way, the key to His enigmatical behavior towards the fig tree.” (Mk 11:12-14) Swete says: “He began the day’s work by ejecting the traffickers, making no distinction between sellers and buyers. The market was within the precinct of the Temple, and had already attracted the attention of Jesus at the first Passover of His ministry (John 2:14+). It was a recognized institution, under the protection of the chief priests (Most of whom were Sadducees - see note) , and known in Rabbinical writings. The sales were limited to the Temple requisites, victims for the sacrifices, and the wine, oil, salt, etc., used in the ritual.” As to our Lord prohibiting any from carrying a vessel through the Temple (Mk 11:16), the explanation is as follows: Persons carrying goods or implements, used the Temple as a short-cut when going between the city and the Mount of Olives. This had been forbidden by the Jewish authorities at one time, but the order was not being enforced. The Greek or Roman money which the Passover visitors from Gentile countries brought with them was changed into Jewish half-shekels, so that the Jew could pay his Temple-tax. A large profit was made in this way. To have their tables overturned and their money thrown all over the floor on the eve of the Passover, was to deal their business a serious blow at a time when the money traffic was at its height. (Borrow Mark in the Greek New Testament for the English reader ) Kistemaker - What a sorry spectacle greets His eyes, ears, and even nostrils (ED: I WAS RAISED ON A FARM AND CAN ATTEST TO THE AROMA THAT MUST HAVE ARISEN BECAUSE OF THE MANY ANIMALS IN THE COURT OF THE GENTILES)! He notices that the court is being desecrated. It resembles a market place. (Ibid) Note the Temple diagram above and locate the "Shushan Gate" (misspelled in diagram) which is another name for what is known as the Eastern Gate. This is very likely the gate through which Jesus entered into the Temple grounds. Note that the first area He would encounter is the relatively large Court of the Gentiles where basically anyone was allowed to go. It was in the Court of the Gentiles that the Money changers had set up shop. The Shushan Gate - The Eastern Gate, (aka the "Beautiful Gate") one of the five gates of the Temple Mount. The source of the name Shushan: The Jews that returned from the Babylonian/Persian exile etched the image of the city of Shushan (the Persian capitol) on the gate - to signify their appreciation to the Persian kingdom that was instrumental in building the Second Temple. A medieval Jewish tradition "foretells" (aka "prophesies") that the prophet Elijah will lead the Mashiach (Messiah) into the Temple grounds through this Shushan Gateway. Elijah is a Kohain (Priest) and a Kohain may not enter a cemetery. Many centuries ago, some scheming Muslims placed an Arab cemetery along the Eastern Wall to foil Messiah's entrance. The tragedy is that the Messiah entered the Temple (most likely) through the Eastern Gate (at that time named the Sushan Gate) and the Jews failed to recognize the time of His visitation! Wikipedia on the Court of the Gentiles - This area was primarily a bazaar, with vendors selling souvenirs, sacrificial animals, food, as well as currency changers, exchanging Roman for Tyrian money because the Jews were not allowed to coin their own money and they viewed Roman currency as an abomination to the Lord,[19] as also mentioned in the New Testament account of Jesus and the Money Changers when Jerusalem was packed with Jews who had come for Passover, perhaps numbering 300,000 to 400,000 pilgrims.[20][21] Guides that provided tours of the premises were also available. Jewish males had the unique opportunity to be shown inside the temple itself. The Golden Gate (Eastern Gate) - It is interesting that this gate is the only one of the eight gates in Jerusalem that is sealed. The Arabs believe that since the Jews expect that Messiah would come through this gate (Sha'ar harachamim) they would try to prevent any possibility of His return. The East gate was walled up by it's Muslim conquerors (the Ottoman Turks) with great stones in 1530 A.D. and a cemetery was planted in front of it thinking that the Jewish Messiah could not set foot in a cemetery and therefore would not be able to come. Many believe this was done to prevent the entrance of the Jewish Messiah through that gate as was foretold by known Old Testament prophecies. (See full discussion of the Golden Gate = Eastern Gate). Painting by A N Mironov and began to drive out those who were buying and selling in the temple - Drive out is ekbállō the same verb Mark uses repeatedly of Jesus casting out demons (Mk 1:34, 39+, etc). Is that just coincidence? Perhaps but the dealers were undoubtedly spurred on by demonic fiery missiles! Keep in mind the Temple was to have been a place of worship! The painting above by A N Mironov shows Christ with a "scourge of cords" which is specifically described only in His first cleansing of the Temple at Passover in John 2:13-16+.
Marcos 11
Wuest - A crowd had gathered, seeing our Lord’s actions. This afforded an opportunity for teaching. As usual, our Lord bases His teaching on Old Testament scripture, Mark 11:17 quoting the LXX of Isaiah 56:7. Referring to the use of the Court of the Gentiles as a market place, Swete says: “Who could pray in a place which was at once a cattle-market and an exchange, where the lowing of oxen mingled with the clinking of silver and the chaffering and haggling of the dealers and those who came to purchase?” The words, “of all nations”,
Marcos 11
Wuest - The chief priests and the scribes.” Swete remarks that this is the first time in the Synoptics that the chief priests combine with the scribes against Jesus. Our Lord’s attack against the Temple-market, incensed them. After this, they take the lead against the Galilean Prophet. They sought means by which to do away with Him. This was not easy, for the crowds at the Passover were mostly from Galilee and the Gentile countries. And they were drawn to our Lord. Such a crowd in its present humor could be dangerous. Stoning was not impossible, even within the Temple precincts, with the priests themselves, the victims. (Borrow Mark in the Greek New Testament for the English reader ) Chief priests (749)(archiereus from arche = first in a series, the leader or ruler, idea of rank or degree + hiereus = priest - hieros is that which is determined, filled or consecrated by divine power) refers to the priest that was chief over all the other priests in Israel. This office was established by God through Moses instructions in the Pentateuch. In the plural archiereus refers to all the ruling priests, the members of the high-priestly families as a group, the upper echelons of the priestly class, especially those who served on the Sanhedrin, the Jewish high court (Lk 9:22, Mk 8:31). In the singular archiereus refers to the acting high priest (Lk 3.2, Mk 14:47, 53, 54, 60, 61, 63, 66), who by Jesus' day was more of a role obtained by political connections than priestly lineage. Don't miss the fact that the chief priests missed the One Who today mediates for all believers as our Great High Priest! (Hebrews 4:14-16+). Scribes (1122)(grammateus from grapho = to write) was one skilled in Jewish law and theology scribe, expert, scholar (Mt 2.4). Jesus gives a long rebuke including 8 WOES primarily to the Scribes and Pharisees which should be read to help understand how this group of Jewish religious men functioned (See Mt 23:1-39, 13, 14, 15, 16, etc). Most sources consider the lawyers (nomikos - meaning one skilled in the Mosaic law) to be scribes specialized in the jurisprudence of the Law of Moses. Finally the scribes in Lk 5:17 (nomdidaskalos) were teachers of the Jewish law who were equal to the lawyers and scribes. Seeking (2212)(zeteo) implies giving attention and priority to and deliberately pursuing after. The imperfect tense pictures them seeking over and over, again and again to destroy Jesus. Destroy (622)(apollumi) means to kill (this was their continual goal - cf Mt 12:14), something that began the moment He was born, Matthew using this same verb apollumi writing (Angel's warning to Joseph) "Herod is going to search for the Child to destroy (apollumi) Him." (Mt 2:13) The bitter irony is that the very thing these evil men sought to do to Jesus would come to pass in their own lives for Jesus Himself had taught '“He who has found his life will lose (apollumi) it, and he who has lost (apollumi) his life for My sake will find it." (Mt 10:39, Mt 16:25) These evil men thought they had found life but in fact as eternity would prove, they actually lost their life! And the same fate awaits every man today who in one form or another tries to destroy the truth about Christ -- it is they who will be eternally destroyed! The tragic irony is that Jesus had just stated His life purpose declaring that "the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost (apollumi).”(Lk. 19:10) The Pharisees were lost and did not know it as they sought to kill the very One Who had come to save their souls from eternal punishment! What a contrast for these religious leaders were like the thief which Jesus says "comes only to steal and kill and destroy (apollumi); I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. (Jn. 10:10) for they were afraid of Him - Afraid is phobeo in the imperfect tense pictures them as being being fearful over and over. for - Term of explanation - They feared people more than God! the whole crowd was astonished at His teaching - This is fascinating. They are still astonished at His teaching and yet so few seem to have received His Words of Truth into their hearts. Hearing truth can astonish you, but only believing truth can save you! Wuest - The word “astonished” is again that very strong Greek word, ekplesso “to strike out of one’s senses.” The teaching of our Lord was in such contrast to that of the Jewish leaders, that the people saw the difference at once, and were almost beside themselves because of it. What a commentary upon the type of teaching they had been receiving, dry, formal, stereotyped, without power, above their heads, and the powerful, simple, interesting thought-arresting teaching of our Lord. (May we all seek to imitate His teaching style for His glory. Amen) (Borrow Mark in the Greek New Testament for the English reader ) Mark 11:19 When evening came, they would go out of the city. Mk 11:11 Lu 21:37 Joh 12:36 Mark 11 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries DAILY JESUS WITHDREW FROM THE CITY When evening came, they would go out of the city - Presumably they would return either to Bethany or the Mount of Olives for Luke 21:37+ records "Now during the day He was teaching in the temple, but at evening He would go out and spend the night on the mount that is called Olivet." Mark 11:20 As they were passing by in the morning, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots up. Mk 11:14 Job 18:16,17 20:5-7 Isa 5:4 40:24 Mt 13:6 15:13 21:19,20 Joh 15:6 Heb 6:8 Jude 1:12 Mark 11 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passages: Matthew 21:19 Seeing a lone fig tree by the road, He came to it and found nothing on it except leaves only; and He *said to it, “No longer shall there ever be any fruit from you.” And at once the fig tree withered. CURSED FIG TREE WITHERED COMPLETELY As they were passing by in the morning (proi) - They came early to get in a full day in the Holy City. Day 3 of Passion Week would be a busy time. Luke 21:38 adds that "all the people would get up early in the morning to come to Him in the temple to listen to Him." Wuest - The words “in the morning,” follow the words “as they passed by,” in the Greek text. Expositors says this is important. “It gives the emphasis as suggesting that it was in the clear morning light that they noticed the tree. It might have been in the same condition the previous evening, but it would be dark when they passed the spot.” (Borrow Mark in the Greek New Testament for the English reader ) They saw the fig tree withered from the roots (rhiza) up - All saw the after effects of Jesus' words the day before. Withered is in the perfect tense showing that the tree was completely withered away, in a state of death! Don't miss this object lesson! I live in Texas and in the heat of August the leaves of the trees become very dry and withered and one wonders if the tree will even survive. But when the Spring comes, the leaves return and you know the tree is still alive. That would never be the case with this fig tree for it was withered from the bottom to the top! When the roots are dead, the tree is dead and no amount of watering will revive the tree. Jesus‘ last miracle in Mark (prior to the resurrection) brings death not life! -- Danny Akin Paul Apple - Such a radical change (had been a healthy, robust flowering tree) in just a 24 hour period Such a permanent change – some water and some nurturing care was not going to bring this tree back to good health
Marcos 11
Wuest says "“Faith is the title deed of things hoped for (Heb. 11:1+).” Just as a title deed guarantees to the one whose name appears on it, the ownership of the property, even though he may not have it in his actual possession, so faith is the title deed that guarantees to the one exercising it, the answer to his prayer, even though that answer may be delayed, and the thing asked for is not in his possession. (Borrow Mark in the Greek New Testament for the English reader )
Marcos 11
Wuest - The standing posture when praying is not commanded here, nor is it the only posture allowed. (Borrow Mark in the Greek New Testament for the English reader ) Parunak: In prayer we are not demanding what we are owed, but are asking God for a favor; it is inconsistent to do this while we are embroiled in bitterness with our fellow creatures. Brian Bell - An unforgiving spirit will form a fatal roadblock in our prayer life. Ps.66:18+ "If I regard wickedness in my heart, The Lord will not hear." J C
Marcos 11
Wuest - And they come again into Jerusalem. And when He was walking about in the Temple, there come the chief priests and the scribes and the elders, (Borrow Mark in the Greek New Testament for the English reader ) as he: Mal 3:1 Mt 21:23-27 Lu 20:1-8 Joh 10:23 18:20 the chief: Mk 14:1 Ps 2:1-5 Ac 4:5-8,27,28 Mark 11 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passages: Matthew 21:23 When He entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to Him while He was teaching, and said, “By what authority are You doing these things, and who gave You this authority?” Luke 20:1+ On one of the days while He was teaching the people in the temple and preaching the gospel, the chief priests and the scribes with the elders confronted Him, CONFRONTATION IN THE TEMPLE Danny Akin - Mark 11:27-12:44 records 5 temple controversies in Jerusalem that parallel 5 earlier controversies in Galilee (Mark 2:1-3:6). In both cases his opponents are the religious leaders. Now that He is in Jerusalem the stakes are much higher and the intensity of the conflict much stronger. Things are moving to an inevitable climax. Things are moving to the cross and His bloody death. In this first of 5 temple controversies we will see some common reasons people are not willing to come and follow Jesus as one of His disciples. We will quickly discover that not much has 2 changed in 2000 years. What kept people from putting their faith and trust in Him then are the same kinds of reasons that cause them to refuse Him today. They came again to Jerusalem. And as He was walking in the temple, the chief priests and the scribes and the elders came to Him - Note the phrase came again signifying it was Tuesday, His third day in Jerusalem. Mark said He was He was walking in the temple and Luke 20:1+ says "He was teaching the people in the temple and preaching the gospel (euaggelizo/euangelizo)" Clearly He could easily be doing both, teaching and preaching as He walked along. Jesus was not going to let one second of His dwindling hours be wasted for He had come to seek and to save the lost (Lk 19:10+)! That is a approach every should disciple should seek to emulate, redeeming the time for the days are evil (Eph 5:16+, my youtube video) Luke 20:1+ On one of the days - When is one of the days? Most say this is probably Tuesday morning, but MacArthur thinks it is Wednesday (because he feels that "Palm Sunday" really occurred on Monday! See his logic here or here) Where in the Temple? We don't know for certain, but the biggest space would have been the Court of the Gentiles (about 10 football fields in size - see diagram above) which had just been purged of the perversion being practiced. See also - What was the meaning and importance of the baptism of John the Baptist? | GotQuestions.org Mark's version gives more background of what Jesus did each day (Note MacArthur's scene would advance each day, so Sunday is really Monday, etc) - Sunday PM - Mk 11:11; Monday AM - Mk 11:12-18 (Fig tree cursing not in Luke), Monday PM - Mk 11:19 Tuesday AM - Mk 11:20-26 (Not found in Luke) It is notable that in Jesus' final days of life He made teaching and preaching in the Temple the focal point of His last days ministry. It is not surprising that these same two verbs (teaching and preaching) were used to describe His followers who walked in His steps (Acts 5:42; 15:35, cf 1 Pe 2:21+). We do well to follow their example! Brian Bell - This was the Sanhedrins right & responsibility to investigate anyone who claimed to be sent by God. - Except...they didn’t have open minds or sincere motives. The chief priests and the scribes and the elders - These are the "big boys!" This is the full designation for the Sanhedrin, the official ruling body of seventy members developed out of the Great Synagogue of Ezra’s day and composed of the High Priest and his family, local scribes, and wealthy, influential elders. Akin writes "This is the Sanhedrin, the Jewish high court, who exercised both political and religious authority in Israel. It consisted of 71 men lead by the acting high priest. Their power was enormous and they functioned as a ―go-between‖ with the Romans and the people of Israel. They were super sensitive to anything that could threaten their authority and Jesus was clearly a threat. Wuest - This is the third day in which our Lord visits the Temple. He was walking about probably in the colonnades of the Temple. As He walked along He was teaching the people (Matthew). Then, representatives of three orders approach Him, the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders. The definite article is used in each case, which fact indicates that those who came, represented their own group. This united action was probably agreed upon during the night. Their questions were in themselves reasonable ones from their point of view. They were the custodians of the Temple. Our Lord, by forcibly ejecting those who were engaged in business in the Temple, was claiming a superior jurisdiction. They ask Him in public now to produce His credentials, first, to state the nature of His authority, and second, to name the person from whom He had received it. (Borrow Mark in the Greek New Testament for the English reader ) Chief Priests (749) (archiereus from arche = leader idea of rank + hiereus = priest) refers to the priests that were chief over other priests. In the plural as in this verse archiereus refers to all the ruling priests, the members of the high-priestly families as a group, the upper echelons of the priestly class, especially those who served on the Sanhedrin, the Jewish high court (Lk 9:22, Mk 8:31) There were 24 courses of priests who took turns serving in the Temple. At Passover, ALL of the priests were in attendance, and without doubt the upper echelon from among the priests would be in this delegation. Scribes (1122)(grammateus from grapho = to write) were recognized experts in the law of Moses and in traditional laws and regulations. (Mt 2.4). Most sources consider the lawyers (nomikos - meaning one skilled in the Mosaic law) to be scribes specialized in the jurisprudence of the Law of Moses. The traditional rendering as "scribes" does not communicate much to the modern English reader, for whom the term might mean professional copyist, if it means anything at all so a rendering such as "experts in the law" comes closer to the actual meaning. Elders (4245)(presbuteros the comparative form of présbus = an old man or an ambassador) referred to men who were older or more senior and deserving of a sense of venerability. Presbuteros is transliterated into English as “presbyter” (a leader in one of the Jewish communities--especially a member of the Sanhedrin--or of the early Christian churches) and from which the word “priest” (from Late Latin presbyter) was derived. Mark 11:28 and [began] saying to Him, "By what authority are You doing these things, or who gave You this authority to do these things?" Wuest - and they kept on saying to Him, By what sort of delegated authority are you doing these things, or, who gave you this delegated authority to do these things? (Borrow Mark in the Greek New Testament for the English reader ) Ex 2:14 Nu 16:3,13 Ac 7:27,28,38,39,51 Mark 11 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passages: Matthew 21:23 When He entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to Him while He was teaching, and said, “By what authority are You doing these things, and who gave You this authority?” Luke 20:2+ and they spoke, saying to Him, “Tell us by what authority You are doing these things, or who is the one who gave You this authority?” 3 Jesus answered and said to them, “I will also ask you a question, and you tell Me: 4“Was the baptism of John from heaven or from men?” James Tissot: Jesus' Authority Questioned RELIGIOUS LEADERS' QUESTION JESUS' AUTHORITY and began saying (imperfect tense - over and over) to Him, "By what authority (exousia) are You doing these things, or who gave You this authority (exousia) to do these things?" - These things refers to His cleansing of the Temple (and healings and teachings). Authority in simple terms is the right and the might to do a certain thing (in this case including cleansing the Temple). And it would take both "right" (He was God and the Temple was God's) and the might (the Court of the Gentiles was about 10 football fields in size and filled with money changers, lambs, pigeons, etc - it would have taken "might" to cleanse such a large area).
Marcos 11
Wuest - Our Lord meets their questions with another question. He says that He has one question to ask them. The one question is not contrasted to the two questions asked Him, but points to the simplicity of the issue. (Borrow Mark in the Greek New Testament for the English reader ) ILLUSTRATION - The late Bill Klem was one of major league baseball’s best-known and powerful umpires. When he was behind the plate, he made it clear that he was completely in charge of everything that mattered. In one important game, it was the ninth inning. The batter hit the ball to left field. The runner on third ran for home with the potential winning run. The catcher crouched to make the tag. The runner, the catcher, and the umpire all collided and were laid out in the dirt. From one dugout, the players were screaming, “He’s safe! He’s safe!” In the other dugout, they were shouting, “He’s out! He’s out!” The fans in the stands were going wild. In the midst of all the confusion and noise, Bill Klem stood up, looked directly into the stands, raised his fist and exclaimed, “He ain’t nothin’ till I’ve called it!” Bill Klem made it clear that everyone had to submit to his authority. John Stevenson gives an interesting illustration introducing his message on Luke 20 - His name was Irwin Rommel. He was to be known as the Desert Fox. But before leading the Axis army in North Africa, Rommel was a commander in the German army as they invaded France in 1940. It was during that invasion that Rommel tells of having taken a ride in his command car to reconnoiter the front. He was driving through the Belgium hills when he rounded a turn and came face to face with a truck filled with enemy soldiers. Without missing a beat, Rommel was out of his command car and calling loudly to the soldiers, "You are all now prisoners of the German army. Just drive your truck in that direction and you will be processed accordingly." The soldiers in the truck nodded their agreement and moved to comply. The truck behind them followed suit. As did the truck behind that one. In amazement, Rommel watched while 20 truckloads of soldiers meekly surrendered, all because one man had spoken with authority. One of the distinctive things about Jesus was that He spoke with a calm but unshakable authority. This set him apart from the rabbinical teachers of that day who were always having to quote the opinion of some earlier rabbi or expert. Jesus spoke from God. He was able to say, "Thus saith the Lord." And He even went further to say, "Thus saith ME." He did not only speak with authority; He also ACTED with authority. He acted with authority when He commanded demons to leave those whom they had possessed. He acted with authority when He told a storm to be silent. He acted with authority when He told a lame man to walk, when He rebuked disease and it departed, and when He commanded a dead girl to get up. And He acted with authority when He came in and cleansed the Temple, driving out those who had come to make a profit instead of to listen to the Prophet. Imagine what would be the reaction if an out-of-town carpenter showed up this Sunday in your church and began overturning pews and tossing around the offering plates. What would be your reaction? It would probably be the same as was seen by the Temple leaders: "What gives you the right to do these things? Just who do you think you are?" (The Authority of the King - Luke 20:1-47) Mark 11:30 "Was the baptism of John from heaven, or from men? Answer Me." Mk 1:1-11 9:13 Mt 3:1-17 Lu 3:1-20 Joh 1:6-8,15-36 3:25-36 Mark 11 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passages: Matthew 21:25 “The baptism of John was from what source, from heaven or from men?” And they began reasoning among themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will say to us, ‘Then why did you not believe him?’ Luke 20:4+ “Was the baptism of John from heaven or from men?” THE AUTHORITY FOR THE BAPTISMS PERFORMED BY JOHN JESUS PRESENTS THE HORNS OF A DILEMMA What is "horns of a dilemma"? If you are on the horns of a dilemma, you have to choose between two things, both of which are unpleasant or difficult. (Collins English Dictionary) One "horn" was "from heaven" and the other was "from men." The "horns" are further explained in Mark 11:31, 32. As Paul said "the foolishness of God is wiser than men," (1Cor 1:25+) and Jesus' answer shows His divine wisdom. James Edwards: John’s significance for Jesus – and in this instance for the Sanhedrin – is as a herald of Jesus’ divine Sonship, with which Mark begins (Mk 1,1, 11) and ends (Mk 15:39) his Gospel. The “these things” of which the Sanhedrin inquires can be understood only if they are seen as consequences of the authority (exousia) of Jesus as the Son of God, which John’s baptism inaugurated. What Jesus does as God’s servant has meaning only because of who he is as God’s Son. The exousia of Jesus is in fact the exousia of God. (See The Gospel According to Mark) NOTE: To understand what Jesus was doing, one needs to know that the baptism of John was a type of baptism that had never been practiced in Israel prior to John's ministry. See the commentary on Luke 20:4 for more discussion of the baptism of John. Was the baptism of John from heaven, or from men? Answer (aorist imperative) Me." - Jesus answered their question with a question that dealt with their rejection of John the Baptist who had called them (Pharisees and Sadducees) a "brood of vipers" when they approached him for baptism (Mt 3:7+). John knew their hearts and knew that were not really seeking truth (cf. Mk 11:31–33). They were more concerned with maintaining religious control over the nation. Brian Bell - Jesus was basically asking, are you prepared to recognize God-given authority when you see it? (clearly they were not!) Paul Apple - Remember the mission of John the Baptist laid out in John chapter 1 Here was one recognized as a prophet by the people. Not an intellectual problem as if they did not know the answer to their question; it was a moral problem; did not want to submit to the authority of Jesus in their hearts Wuest - The answer to our Lord’s one question should clear the air. He refers to John the Baptist. The latter had testified to the divine source of His mission. The question of the Sanhedrin resolved itself into a question as to the source of the Baptist’s teaching. In demanding an answer from them, our Lord was claiming an answer as from authorized teachers who were acquainted with the facts. In twentieth century language, He put them on the spot. (Borrow Mark in the Greek New Testament for the English reader ) Akin - Like Jesus, John came preaching a message of repentance. And, like Jesus, he bypassed the temple and the official religious authorities. If Jesus was a country hick from the sticks I don‘t know how to describe John. A ―wilderness wacko‖ might have been the popular opinion within the temple mafia. Not so, however, among the people and hence the dilemma of the religious leaders. Mark 11:31 They [began] reasoning among themselves, saying, "If we say, 'From heaven,' He will say, 'Then why did you not believe him?' Why: Mt 11:7-14 21:25-27,31,32 Joh 1:15,29,34,36 3:29-36 Mark 11 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passages: Matthew 21:25 “The baptism of John was from what source, from heaven or from men?” And they began reasoning among themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will say to us, ‘Then why did you not believe him?’ Luke 20:5+ They reasoned among themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will say, ‘Why did you not believe him?’ "HORN" NUMBER 1... WAS JOHN'S BAPTISM FROM HEAVEN They began reasoning (dialogizomai in imperfect tense - over and over) among themselves, saying, "If we say, 'From heaven,' He will say, 'Then why did you not believe (pisteuo) him?' - These serpentine men were acting on the basis of expediency rather than conviction. Their fear was how is it going to turn out for us (answering either way)? The religious leaders are at least smart enough to know they are "in a pickle."(in a quandary or some other difficult position.) (see interesting origin of phrase). Wuest on reasoning among themselves - Conference in groups was scarcely possibly at this time. The same thought flashed through their minds. If they would accept the divine mission of the Baptist, they would charge themselves as a class with having rejected his baptism. This would give our Lord an advantage which He would not be slow to use. If they said that John’s baptism was of purely human origin, they would place themselves in a dangerous position with regard to the crowds, even to the place of being stoned. The people might look upon their attribution to man’s words, that which they held to be of God. Furthermore, John’s martyrdom had deepened the regard with which he was held by the people. (Borrow Mark in the Greek New Testament for the English reader )