SEV Biblia, Chapter 11:31
Entonces ellos pensaron dentro de sí, diciendo: Si dijremos, del cielo, dir: ¿Por qu, pues, no le creisteis?
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 31. And they reasoned with themselves saying , etc..] Privately; perhaps, they withdrew at a little distance for a short time, and consulted among themselves what answer to return; and the amount of their reasonings were this; if we shall say from heaven, he will say, why then did ye not believe him ? that is, should they say that John had a divine commission for what he said and did, they were aware that Christ would reply, why did not ye give credit to him? and had you done so, seeing he testified of me, you would have had no occasion to have put the above question; (see Gill on Matthew 21:25).
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 27-33 - Our Saviour shows how near akin his doctrine and baptism were to thos of John; they had the same design and tendency, to bring in the gospe kingdom. These elders did not deserve to be taught; for it was plai that they contended not for truth, but victory: nor did he need to tel them; for the works he did, told them plainly he had authority from God; since no man could do the miracles which he did, unless God wer with him __________________________________________________________________
Greek Textus Receptus
και 2532 CONJ ελογιζοντο 3049 5711 V-INI-3P προς 4314 PREP εαυτους 1438 F-3APM λεγοντες 3004 5723 V-PAP-NPM εαν 1437 COND ειπωμεν 2036 5632 V-2AAS-1P εξ 1537 PREP ουρανου 3772 N-GSM ερει 2046 5692 V-FAI-3S δια 1223 PREP τι 5101 I-ASN ουν 3767 CONJ ουκ 3756 PRT-N επιστευσατε 4100 5656 V-AAI-2P αυτω 846 P-DSM
Robertson's NT Word Studies
11:31 {If we say} (ean eipwmen). Third-class condition with aorist active subjunctive. The alternatives are sharply presented in their secret conclave. They see the two horns of the dilemma clearly and poignantly. They know only too well what Jesus will say in reply. They wish to break Christ's power with the multitude, but a false step now will turn the laugh on them. They see it.
