The Meaning of Matthew 21:26 Explained

Matthew 21:26

KJV: But if we shall say, Of men; we fear the people; for all hold John as a prophet.

YLT: and if we should say, From men, we fear the multitude, for all hold John as a prophet.'

Darby: but if we should say, Of men, we fear the crowd, for all hold John for a prophet.

ASV: But if we shall say, From men; we fear the multitude; for all hold John as a prophet.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

But  if  we shall say,  Of  men;  we fear  the people;  for  all  hold  John  as  a prophet. 

What does Matthew 21:26 Mean?

Context Summary

Matthew 21:23-32 - Authority Which Silenced And Condemned
Our Lord always refused to gratify idle curiosity. When an earnest seeker for truth, like Nicodemus, approached Him to know the way of life, He was willing to give time and thought without stint. But of what use was it to endeavor to satisfy these men who had refused to acknowledge the divine mission of the Forerunner! They would not speak out their inner convictions, because of the effect it would have on their worldly prospects. For such as these Christ has nothing. At all costs, we must be true to the inner light, that is, to God's Spirit within us.
The parable of the two sons teaches that hard hearts may lie under fair words, while those of whom we expect least and whose first greeting is abrupt and disappointing, may later prove to be the most devoted and hopeful disciples. If a man repels the gospel with violence, he is more likely ultimately to be won than he who gives a polite and facile assent. [source]

Chapter Summary: Matthew 21

1  Jesus rides into Jerusalem upon a donkey
12  drives the buyers and sellers out of the temple;
17  curses the fig tree;
23  puts to silence the priests and elders,
28  and rebukes them by the parable of the two sons,
33  and the husbandmen who slew such as were sent to them

What do the individual words in Matthew 21:26 mean?

If however we should say From men we fear the multitude all for as a prophet hold - John
ἐὰν δὲ εἴπωμεν Ἐξ ἀνθρώπων φοβούμεθα τὸν ὄχλον πάντες γὰρ ὡς προφήτην ἔχουσιν τὸν Ἰωάννην

δὲ  however 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: δέ  
Sense: but, moreover, and, etc.
εἴπωμεν  we  should  say 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Subjunctive Active, 1st Person Plural
Root: λέγω  
Sense: to speak, say.
ἀνθρώπων  men 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Plural
Root: ἄνθρωπος  
Sense: a human being, whether male or female.
φοβούμεθα  we  fear 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Middle or Passive, 1st Person Plural
Root: φοβέομαι 
Sense: to put to flight by terrifying (to scare away).
ὄχλον  multitude 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Masculine Singular
Root: ὄχλος  
Sense: a crowd.
προφήτην  a  prophet 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Masculine Singular
Root: προφήτης  
Sense: in Greek writings, an interpreter of oracles or of other hidden things.
ἔχουσιν  hold 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 3rd Person Plural
Root: ἔχω  
Sense: to have, i.e. to hold.
τὸν  - 
Parse: Article, Accusative Masculine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
Ἰωάννην  John 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Masculine Singular
Root: Ἰωάννης 
Sense: John the Baptist was the son of Zacharias and Elisabeth, the forerunner of Christ.