Luke 20:5 Meaning and Explanation
“And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say, Why then believed ye him not?”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The leaders confer privately: if they say John's baptism was from heaven, Jesus will ask why they did not believe him.
What Does Luke 20:5 Mean?
Luke lets us overhear the council's deliberation. Faced with Jesus' question, they do not search the Scriptures or their consciences; they game out consequences. Their first scenario: answer 'from heaven,' and stand convicted of unbelief by their own mouths.
Notice what never enters their reasoning: whether the answer is true. 'Is it true?' has been replaced by 'What will it cost us?' — and that exchange is the quiet death of integrity. They knew the right answer; they could not afford it. Truth evaded does not disappear. It stands waiting at the door, and every calculation made against it leaves the heart a little less able to open.
Frequently Asked Questions About Luke 20:5
What does Luke 20:5 mean?
The leaders confer privately: if they say John's baptism was from heaven, Jesus will ask why they did not believe him.