Mark 11:32

But if we shall say, of men ,.... That John's baptism was an human invention, and he had no authority from God to preach and administer it,

they feared the people ; lest being enraged thereby they should, at once, rise up, and destroy them:

for all men counted John, that he was a prophet indeed ; a real prophet, one truly sent from God, and had his commission and credentials from him: this was the general sentiment of the people; See Gill on Matthew 21:26 .