Was the baptism of John from heaven, or from men? Answer Me.”
The question about John the Baptist’s baptism was the main test. If it was from heaven, then the leaders were obligated to accept John’s testimony about Christ. If it was from men, then they would have to openly reject the one whom the people regarded as a prophet. This question shows that the rejection of Christ’s authority was connected to the prior rejection of John’s testimony. God had already given them light through the forerunner, but they did not obey that light. When a person rejects the first light given to him, he often loses the ability to recognize the next, greater light.