²⁰ for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he protected him. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed,^[a] and yet he liked to listen to him.^(A)

²⁶ But if we say, ‘Of human origin,’ we are afraid of the crowd, for all regard John as a prophet.”^(A)

¹⁶ And these are the ones sown on rocky ground: when they hear the word, they immediately receive it with joy.

⁵ Though Herod^[a] wanted to put him to death, he feared the crowd, because they regarded him as a prophet.^(A)

³² To them you are like a singer of love songs,^[a] one who has a beautiful voice and plays well on an instrument; they hear what you say, but they will not do it.