Matthew Poole and continuators on Mark 11:33

33 And they answered and said unto Jesus, We cannot tell. And Jesus answering, saith unto them, Neither do I tell you by what authority I do these things.

See the Notes on Matth. 21. v. 24, 25, 26, 27, where are the same passages opened. A Prophet here, v. 32. signifyeth, one extraordinarily inspired, and sent of God to reveal his Will, so as his Baptisme must needs be from Heaven. This Reputation▪ Iohn it seems Universally had, so as to have denied his Baptisme to have been from Heaven, had been to have exposed themselves to the Mockings, if not the rage of the People, which they were loth to do. If they had said from Heaven, they had accused themselves for not believing him, Iohn 7.48. This makes them chuse 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.