Christ recognized the snare laid for Him by His enemies. He did not answer their question immediately, but opened the door for them to turn back and admit that God sent the Baptist to prepare the way of Christ. This way of answering shows us two things:
First, that Jesus did not teach people using explicit word proves that he was the Son of God. Rather, He waited for the gradual development of their faith from an obedient heart. He wanted them to be sure of His divinity and then seal this recognition by coming in love to Him. This is contrary to our way of approaching people. We try many ways to convince them to accept the divine state of Christ. It is better to call attention to His works, purity, and kindness so that their trust in the Son of Man will be developed. They should come to see that He who raises the dead loves sinners and forgives His enemies. They should come to the point where they believe that He is the incarnate God.
Second, that Christ stirred up reasonable thinking in His enemies. He tried to prepare them for repentance, to get them to leave their unsound beliefs, and to avoid any judgment that is empty of love. If they had recognized and admitted that John’s baptism originated from God, they might have confessed and repented of their sins. Since they imagined themselves to be godly and righteous, however, they did not prepare themselves to submit to Jesus. Their hearts were hardened. They became angry and harbored hatred against Him.
If these enemies of Christ had admitted John’s baptism to be of God, they would have endangered their own credibility. To acknowledge that a doctrine is from God, and yet not receive and entertain it, is the greatest iniquity that a man can be charged with. Many people will stay in bondage to sin because, out of neglect or opposition, they refuse to take hold of that which they know to be true and good. Thus, they reject the counsel of God in not submitting to Johns’ baptism, and are left without excuse.
If people said that John’s baptism was only of men, they feared for their own safety because they would be opening themselves to the resentments of the people. The chief priests and elders stood in awe of the common people, which is why their consciences were in disorder and mutual jealousy was at a great height. The government had become an object of hatred and scorn of the people, and the scripture was fulfilled which said: “Therefore I also have made you contemptible and base before all the people” (Malachi 2:8, 9). If they had kept their integrity and done their duty, they would have retained their authority and need not fear the people. Those who studied how to make the people fear them could not but fear the people themselves.
Thus, the delegation of the Jewish council hid behind the pretense that they did not know where John’s baptism had come from. This was a shameful failure for them, for the people watched this debate smiling at the deviousness of their leaders.
Jesus led the delegation into the same snare that they had laid for Him. He concealed the declaration of His authority and divinity because 1) they did not believe in Him. and 2) because His hour had not yet come, the hour when His full glory would be declared in one decisive action before His enemies.