But and if we say, Of men; all the people will stone us: for they be persuaded that John was a prophet.

LUKE 20:6KJV
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Luke 20:6 (KJV)

What does Luke 20:6 mean?

Luke 20:6 shows that the religious leaders were afraid to say that John the Baptist’s authority came from people, because the crowd was convinced John was a real prophet and might react violently if they felt he was being disrespected. The leaders are caught between their fear of the people and their unwillingness to accept John’s authority.

In this scene, Jesus is being questioned by the chief priests, scribes, and elders in the temple about his own authority. They are trying to trap him, but when he asks them about John the Baptist, they realize any answer could get them in trouble. The verse highlights their concern for public opinion and their lack of genuine conviction.

The Greek behind Luke 20:6

  • ὁ λαός (ho laos, G2992): This word means "the people" or "the crowd." In this context, it emphasizes that it is not just a few individuals, but the whole gathered crowd whose reaction the leaders fear.
  • λιθάζωσιν (lithazōsin, G2642): This verb means "to stone." The threat of stoning shows how seriously the people regarded John as a prophet, and how dangerous it would be for the leaders to deny his authority.
  • πείθω (peithō, G3982): This word means "to persuade" or "to be convinced." The verse uses it to show that the people were fully convinced about John’s prophetic status, not just mildly supportive.

Why Luke 20:6 matters

  • Luke 20:6 clarifies the real reason the religious leaders hesitate to answer Jesus: they are motivated by fear of the people, not by a search for truth.
  • The verse highlights the strong influence John the Baptist had on the general population, showing his importance in the story of Jesus.
  • This moment sets up Jesus’ response and exposes the leaders’ lack of integrity, which is a key theme in the surrounding passage.

Where else these words appear

“persuaded” Greek G3982 · used in 55 verses

  • Matthew 27:20 But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus.
  • Acts 23:21 But do not thou yield unto them: for there lie in wait for him of them more than forty men, which have bound themselves with an oath, that they will neither eat nor drink till they have killed him: and now are they ready, looking for a promise from thee.
  • Galatians 5:10 I have confidence in you through the Lord, that ye will be none otherwise minded: but he that troubleth you shall bear his judgment, whosoever he be.

“was” Greek G1511 · used in 124 verses

  • Matthew 16:13 When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?
  • Acts 8:37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
  • 2 Corinthians 5:9 Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.

“John” Greek G2491 · used in 130 verses

  • Matthew 3:1 In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,
  • Mark 9:2 And after six days Jesus taketh with him Peter, and James, and John, and leadeth them up into an high mountain apart by themselves: and he was transfigured before them.
  • John 1:32 And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him.

“people” Greek G2992 · used in 139 verses

  • Matthew 1:21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
  • Luke 22:66 And as soon as it was day, the elders of the people and the chief priests and the scribes came together, and led him into their council, saying,
  • Acts 21:28 Crying out, Men of Israel, help: This is the man, that teacheth all men every where against the people, and the law, and this place: and further brought Greeks also into the temple, and hath polluted this holy place.