Although Herod wantedto put him to death,he fearedthe crowd,becausethey regardedJohnas a prophet.
"But ifwe say,'From men,'we fearthe people;for they allregardJohnas a prophet."
"But whatdid you goout to see?A prophet?Yes,I tellyou, and one who is morethan a prophet.
Thenthe captainwent alongwith the officersand [proceeded] to bringthem [back] withoutviolence(for they were afraidof the people,that they might be stoned).
When they had threatened them further,they let them go(findingno basison which to punishthem) on accountof the people,becausethey were allglorifyingGodfor what had happened;
"But ifwe say,'From men,'allthe peoplewill stone us to death,for they are convincedthat Johnwas a prophet."
"For Johncameto you in the wayof righteousnessand you did not believehim; but the tax collectorsand prostitutesdid believehim; and you, seeing[this], did not evenfeel remorseafterwardso as to believehim.
When KingJehoiakimand allhis mightymenand allthe officialsheardhis words,then the kingsoughtto puthim to death;but Uriahheard[it], and he was afraidand fledand wentto Egypt.
