Fear of Men

Author: Joseph

Date: January 7, 2024

The chief priests and elders noticed Yeshua as He was in the temple, teaching the people. They did not want Him there and they saw his teaching as a challenge to their own authority since they diverged in many ways. “Who is this man, Yeshua that He teaches with authority?” they must have thought. Since Yeshua was not one of them, nor was he a member of another group such as the Sanhedrin, then where did He come to have His authority? Authority, in their mind, came from being a part of their sect or that of another. But Yeshua answers them with a question that reveal not only their intention, but the evil within their hearts.

“I will also ask you one thing, which if you tell Me, I will also tell you by what authority I do these things. The baptism of John was from what source, from heaven or from men?” (Matthew 21:24-25). Yeshua was well aware of where His authority comes from, it was no secret that His authority came from the Father (Matthew 9:6; John 5:19; 6:38). It was an easy answer to give, but Yeshua wanted to expose them for what they truly desired: the approval from men.

They discuss among themselves how to best save their reputation, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will say to us, ‘Then why did you not believe him?’ But if we say, ‘From men,’ we fear the people; for they all regard John as a prophet” (Matthew 21:25-26). They did not believe that the baptisms that John was performing were from God, otherwise they would have believed, but instead of revealing their position, their concern for their reputation before the people was what withheld them from speaking honestly about their lack of faith. Their approval from men was causing them to hate the reality of what God was doing.

The religious leaders in Judea were completely blind to God’s call to repentance through John. They were in opposition to Yeshua and in denial that they could be in error since their authority meant more to them than the will of God. Instead of receiving the call to repentance, they further hardened their hearts to God, wanting to have His glory for themselves and wanting to be recognized before men instead of being known by God.

The chief priest and the elders do not answer Yeshua’s question, simply saying, “We do not know” (Matthew 21:27). They avoid the question, “save” their reputation, and walk away no closer to knowing the truth than when they approached Yeshua.

Fear of men is the opposite of having a heart after God. The chief priests and elders were spiritually plagued by it, and it is not the first time that the Scripture gives account of this type of person. King Saul also was tormented by wanting the approval of men and he was given an evil spirit because of it (1 Samuel 16:14). King Saul admits to Samuel, after disobeying God, “I have sinned; I have indeed transgressed the command of the LORD and your words, because I feared the people and listened to their voice… I have sinned; but please honor me before the elders of my people and before Israel…” (1 Samuel 15:24, 30). Rather than repent and humble himself before Israel, showing that God alone is to be honored, Saul still chooses to honor himself. King Saul did not repent from his sin, but merely acknowledged it because he had no fear of God, but of man.

"Fear of men is the opposite of having a heart after God."

Does the fear of man motivate what you do, or does the fear of God? The fear of man is vain, as it gains nothing for those who practice it. Instead of receiving anything, it takes away from the person who has it. King Saul lost his kingdom. The chiefs and elders lost their ability to see the will of God and also lost their authority. They were left with no trace of authority they once had after Yeshua was given it all (Matthew 28:18; cross-reference: Matthew 23:1-3). To those who have the fear of God, however, and do not desire the approval of men, the will of God can be done through these. What do you need to change in how you live your life so that you are no longer chasing the approval of men, but rather, the fear of God?

Matthew 21:23-27

Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. www.lockman.org