²⁶ But if we say, ‘Of human origin’—we are afraid of the people, for they all hold that John was a prophet.”^(A)

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

³⁵ John was a lamp that burned and gave light,^(A) and you chose for a time to enjoy his light.

⁴⁶ They looked for a way to arrest him, but they were afraid of the crowd because the people held that he was a prophet.^(A)

⁵ Herod wanted to kill John, but he was afraid of the people, because they considered John a prophet.^(A)

⁹ Then what did you go out to see? A prophet?^(A) Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.

²⁶ At that, the captain went with his officers and brought the apostles. They did not use force, because they feared that the people^(A) would stone them.

⁴¹ and many people came to him. They said, “Though John never performed a sign,^(A) all that John said about this man was true.”^{(B) 42} And in that place many believed in Jesus.^(C)

²² His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders,^(A) who already had decided that anyone who acknowledged that Jesus was the Messiah would be put out^(B) of the synagogue.^(C)

² and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were looking for some way to get rid of Jesus,^(A) for they were afraid of the people.