Therefore Herodias held a grudge against him and was desiring to kill him, but she was not able;

for Herod was afraid of John, knowing that he was a just and holy man, and he was protecting him. And when he heard him, he did many things, but he would hear him gladly.

Now after two days it was the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread. And the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how they might get hold of Him by guile, and [how] they might kill [Him].

But they said, "Not during the feast, lest there be a disturbance of the people."

So having threatened them further, they released them, finding no way of punishing them, on account of the people, because they all were glorifying God over that which had occurred.

Then the captain went with the officers and brought them without violence, for they were afraid of the people, lest they be stoned.

"But if we should say, 'From men,' we fear the crowd, for all consider John as a prophet."

For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him; but tax collectors and harlots believed him; but you, having seen, did not repent afterwards, that you might believe him.

The baptism of John--was it from heaven or from men? Answer Me."

"But should we say, 'From men' "--they feared the people, for all had counted John to have been a prophet indeed.

But if we say, 'From men,' all the people will stone us, for they are persuaded [that] John was a prophet."