# They reasoned

"They discussed" or "They considered their answer"

# with themselves

"among themselves" or "with each other"

# If we say, 'From heaven,'

Some languages might prefer an indirect quote. AT: "'If we say that John's authority is from heaven," (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-quotations]])

# From heaven

"From God." Jewish people avoided referring to God by his name "Yahweh." Often they used the word "heaven" to refer to him. See how these words are translated in [Luke 20:4](../03.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

# he will say

"Jesus will say"

# if we say, 'From men,'

Some languages might prefer an indirect quote. AT: "if we say that John's authority is from men," (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-quotations]])

# stone us

"kill us by throwing stones on us." God's Law commanded that his people stone those of his people who mocked him or his prophets. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

# translationWords

* [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/heaven]]
* [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/believe]]
* [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/stone]]
* [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/names/johnthebaptist]]
* [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/prophet]]