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

# 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/other/johnthebaptist]]
* [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/prophet]]