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." Depending on how the question was translated in the previous verse, this may be translated as "God did" or "God authorized him."
"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]])