SEV Biblia, Chapter 11:32
Y si dijremos, de los hombres, tememos al pueblo; porque todos juzgaban de Juan, que verdaderamente era profeta.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Mark 11:32
Verse 32. -33. They feared the people] Or rather, We fear, &c. Instead of efobounto, they feared; the Codex Bezae, seven others, later Syriac, Arabic, Coptic, AEthiopic, Armenian, Vulgate, and all the Itala, read foboumen, or foboumeqa. The common reading appearing to me quite improper. WE fear the people. ean, if, before eipwmen, we shall say, is omitted by ABCEFGHLS, and more than fifty others. Bengel leaves it out of the text, and puts a note of interrogation after ex anqrwpwn; and then the whole passage reads thus: But shall we say, Of men? They feared the people, &c.
This change renders the adoption of foboumen, we fear, unnecessary.
Several critics prefer this mode of distinguishing the text. However the critics may be puzzled with the text, the scribes, chief priests, and elders were worse puzzled with our Lord's question. They must convict themselves or tell a most palpable falsehood.-They told the lie, and so escaped for the present.
1. ENVY, malice, and double dealing have always a difficult part to act, and are ultimately confounded by their own projects and ruined by their own operations. On the other hand, simplicity and sincerity are not obliged to use a mask, but always walk in a plain way.
2. The case of the barren fig-tree which our Lord cursed has been pitifully misunderstood and misapplied. The whole account of this transaction, as stated above, I believe to be correct; it is so much in our Lord's usual manner that the propriety of it will scarcely be doubted. He was ever acting the part of the philosopher, moralist, and divine, as well as that of the saviour of sinners. In his hand, every providential occurrence and every object of nature, became a means of instruction: the stones of the desert, the lilies of the field, the fowls of heaven, the beasts of the forest, fruitful and unfruitful trees, with every ordinary occurrence, were so many grand texts, from which he preached the most illuminating and impressive sermons, for the instruction and salvation of his audience. This wisdom and condescension cannot be sufficiently admired. But shall the example of the fruitless fig tree be lost on us as well as on the Jews? God forbid! Let us therefore take heed, lest having been so long unfruitful, God should say, Let no fruit appear on thee hereafter for ever! and in consequence of this, we wither and die away! See on "ver. 27".
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 32. But if we shall say, of men , etc..] That John's baptism was an human invention, and he had no authority from God to preach and administer it, they feared the people ; lest being enraged thereby they should, at once, rise up, and destroy them: for all men counted John, that he was a prophet indeed ; a real prophet, one truly sent from God, and had his commission and credentials from him: this was the general sentiment of the people; (see Gill on Matthew 21:26).
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
αλλ 235 CONJ εαν 1437 COND ειπωμεν 2036 5632 V-2AAS-1P εξ 1537 PREP ανθρωπων 444 N-GPM εφοβουντο 5399 5711 V-INI-3P τον 3588 T-ASM λαον 2992 N-ASM απαντες 537 A-NPM γαρ 1063 CONJ ειχον 2192 5707 V-IAI-3P τον 3588 T-ASM ιωαννην 2491 N-ASM οτι 3754 CONJ οντως 3689 ADV προφητης 4396 N-NSM ην 2258 5713 V-IXI-3S
Robertson's NT Word Studies
11:32 {But should we say} (alla eipwmen). Deliberative subjunctive with aorist active subjunctive again. It is possible to supply ean from verse #31 and treat it as a condition as there. So #Mt 21:26 and #Lu 20:6. But in Mark the structure continues rugged after "from menw with anacoluthon or even aposiopesis--"they feared the people" Mark adds. Matthew has it: "We fear the multitude." Luke puts it: "all the people will stone us." All three Gospels state the popular view of John as a prophet. Mark's "verily" is ontws really, actually. They feared John though dead as much as Herod Antipas did. His martyrdom had deepened his power over the people and disrespect towards his memory now might raise a storm (Swete).
