Mark 11:29 - Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible

Ver. 29-33. See Poole on "Matthew 21:24", and following verses to Matthew 21:27, where are the same passages opened. A prophet here, Mark 11:32, signifieth, one extraordinarily inspired and sent of God to reveal his will, so as his baptism must needs be from heaven. This reputation John it seems universally had, so as to have denied his baptism to have been from heaven, had been to have exposed themselves to the mockings, if not the rage, of the people, which they were loath to do. If they had said, From heaven, they had accused themselves for not believing him, 1 Thessalonians 7:48. This makes them choose rather to make themselves doubtful in the case, and giveth our Saviour a fitting occasion to deny them satisfaction as to what they asked of him.