⁴ John’s baptism^(A)—was it from heaven, or of human origin?”

⁵ They discussed it among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will ask, ‘Why didn’t you believe him?’ ⁶ But if we say, ‘Of human origin,’ all the people^(B) will stone us, because they are persuaded that John was a prophet.”^(C)