Mark 11:30

τὸ βάπτισμα. The most conspicuous characteristic of John’s preaching is taken as indicating his whole teaching as a reformer, just as justification by faith is taken to indicate the teaching of Luther. See on Mark 1:4.

ἐξ οὐρανοῦ. A reverent desire to avoid using the Divine Name caused the Jews to employ various expressions as equivalent, of which “Heaven,” as with ourselves, was one (Luke 15:18; Luke 15:21; John 3:27; Daniel 4:26; 1Ma 3:18; 1Ma 4:10; 1Ma 4:24; 1Ma 4:55; 2Ma 9:20). It is freq. in the Mishna. Dalman, Words, pp. 217 f. Cf. ἄνωθεν (John 3:3; John 3:31; John 19:11; James 1:17; James 3:15). On the omission of the art. in such phrases see Blass § 46. 5. The second “Answer Me” is omitted by Mt. and Lk. as superfluous.