Reference: John the Baptist
Easton
the "forerunner of our Lord." We have but fragmentary and imperfect accounts of him in the Gospels. He was of priestly descent. His father, Zacharias, was a priest of the course of Abia (1Ch 24:10), and his mother, Elisabeth, was of the daughters of Aaron (Lu 1:5). The mission of John was the subject of prophecy (Mt 3:3; Isa 40:3; Mal 3:1). His birth, which took place six months before that of Jesus, was foretold by an angel. Zacharias, deprived of the power of speech as a token of God's truth and a reproof of his own incredulity with reference to the birth of his son, had the power of speech restored to him on the occasion of his circumcision (Lu 1:64). After this no more is recorded of him for thirty years than what is mentioned in Lu 1:80. John was a Nazarite from his birth (Lu 1:15; Nu 6:1-12). He spent his early years in the mountainous tract of Judah lying between Jerusalem and the Dead Sea (Mt 3:1-12).
At length he came forth into public life, and great multitudes from "every quarter" were attracted to him. The sum of his preaching was the necessity of repentance. He denounced the Sadducees and Pharisees as a "generation of vipers," and warned them of the folly of trusting to external privileges (Lu 3:8). "As a preacher, John was eminently practical and discriminating. Self-love and covetousness were the prevalent sins of the people at large. On them, therefore, he enjoined charity and consideration for others. The publicans he cautioned against extortion, the soldiers against crime and plunder." His doctrine and manner of life roused the entire south of Palestine, and the people from all parts flocked to the place where he was, on the banks of the Jordan. There he baptized thousands unto repentance.
The fame of John reached the ears of Jesus in Nazareth (Mt 3:5), and he came from Galilee to Jordan to be baptized of John, on the special ground that it became him to "fulfil all righteousness" (Mt 3:15). John's special office ceased with the baptism of Jesus, who must now "increase" as the King come to his kingdom. He continued, however, for a while to bear testimony to the Messiahship of Jesus. He pointed him out to his disciples, saying, "Behold the Lamb of God." His public ministry was suddenly (after about six months probably) brought to a close by his being cast into prison by Herod, whom he had reproved for the sin of having taken to himself the wife of his brother Philip (Lu 3:19). He was shut up in the castle of Machaerus (q.v.), a fortress on the southern extremity of Peraea, 9 miles east of the Dead Sea, and here he was beheaded. His disciples, having consigned the headless body to the grave, went and told Jesus all that had occurred (Mt 14:3-12). John's death occurred apparently just before the third Passover of our Lord's ministry. Our Lord himself testified regarding him that he was a "burning and a shining light" (Joh 5:35).
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Speak unto the sons of Israel, and thou shalt say unto them, - When any man or woman, would make the special vow of One Separate, by separating himself unto Yahweh, from wine and strong drink, shall he separate himself, neither vinegar of wine nor vinegar of strong drink, shall he drink, - and no liquor of grapes, shall he drink, no grapes fresh or dried, shall he eat. read more. All the days of his separation, of nothing that is made from the grapevine from the seeds even to the skin, shall he eat. All the days of his vow of separation, no razor, shall pass over his head, - until the days are fulfilled for which he shall separate himself to Yahweh hallowed, shall he be, letting the locks of the hair of his head grow long. All the days for which he hath separated himself unto Yahweh to no dead person, shall he go in. Neither for his father nor for his mother nor for his brother nor for his sister, shall he make himself unclean-not even for them, should they die, - because, his separation unto God, is upon his head, All his days of separation hallowed, is he unto Yahweh. But if one that is dying should die by him in a moment suddenly, then shall he count unclean his head of separation, - and shall shave his head, on the day he cleanseth himself, on the seventh day, shall he shave it. And on the eighth day, shall he bring in. two turtle-doves, or two young pigeons, - unto the triest, unto the entrance of the tent of meeting; and the priest shall make, of one a sin - bearer and of one an ascending-sacrifice, and so put a propitiatory-covering over him, for that he sinned in respect of the dead person, - thus shall he hallow his head on that day. Then shall be separate unto Yahweh his days of separation, and shall bring in a he-lamb a year old as a guilt-bearer, - and, the first days, shall be lost because his separation, was made unclean.
A voice of one crying! - In the desert, prepare ye the way of Yahweh, - Make smooth in the waste plain a highway for our God:
Behold me! sending my messenger, who will prepare a way before me, - and, suddenly, shall come to his temple The Lord whom ye are seeking, even the messenger of the covenant in whom ye are delighting, Lo! he cometh! saith Yahweh of hosts.
Now, in those days, came John the Immerser, proclaiming in the wilderness of Judaea; saying, Repent ye, - for the kingdom of the heavens hath drawn near. read more. For, this, is he who was spoken of through Isaiah the prophet, saying, A voice, of one crying aloud! In the wilderness, prepare ye the way of the Lord, straight, be making his paths.
For, this, is he who was spoken of through Isaiah the prophet, saying, A voice, of one crying aloud! In the wilderness, prepare ye the way of the Lord, straight, be making his paths. But John, himself, had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins, - while, his food, was locusts and wild honey. read more. Then, were going forth unto him - Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the country round about the Jordan:
Then, were going forth unto him - Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the country round about the Jordan: and were being immersed in the Jordan river, by him, openly confessing their sins. read more. But, seeing, many of the Pharisees and Sadducees, coming unto his immersion, he said to them, - Broods of vipers! who suggested to you, to be fleeing from the coming wrath? Bring forth, therefore, fruit worthy of repentance; and think not to be saying within yourselves, - As our father, we have, Abraham; for, I say unto you, that God is able, out of these stones, to raise up children unto Abraham. Already also, the axe, unto the root of the trees, is being laid, - every tree, therefore, not bringing forth good fruit, is to be hewn down, and, into fire, to be cast. I, indeed, am immersing you, in water, unto repentance, - but, he who, after me, cometh is, mightier than I, whose, sandals, I am not worthy to bear, he, will immerse you, in Holy Spirit and fire: Whose fan is in his hand, and he will clear out his threshing-floor, - and will gather his wheat into the granary, but, the chaff, will he burn up with fire unquenchable.
But Jesus answering, said unto him, Suffer me even now, - for, thus, it becometh us, to fulfil, all righteousness; then, he suffered him.
For, Herod, seizing John, had bound him, and, in prison, put him away, - because of Herodias, the wife of Philip his brother; for John had been saying to him, It is not allowed thee, to have her. read more. And desiring, to kill, him, he feared the multitude, because, as a prophet, they held him. But, a birthday feast of Herod taking place, the daughter of Herodias danced in the midst, and pleased Herod; wherefore, with an oath, he promised to give her, whatsoever she should ask for herself; and, she, being led on by her mother, - Give me (saith she) here, upon a charger, the head of John the Immerser. And the king, though grieved, yet, because of the oaths and the guests, ordered it to be given; and sent and beheaded John in the prison. And his head was brought upon a charger, and given unto the maiden, and she brought it to her mother. And his disciples, going near, bare away the corpse, and buried him, and came and brought tidings unto Jesus.
It came to pass, in the days of Herod, king of Judaea, that there was a certain priest, by name Zachariah, of the daily course of Abia; and that he had a wife of the daughters of Aaron, and, her name, was Elizabeth.
For he shall be great before the Lord, and, wine and strong drink, in nowise may he drink, and, with Holy Spirit, shall he be filled, already, from his mother's womb;
And his mouth was opened instantly, and his tongue loosed , and he began to speak, blessing, God.
And, the child, went on growing, and being strengthened in spirit, and was in the deserts, until the day he was pointed out unto Israel.
Bring forth, therefore, fruits worthy of repentance, and do not begin to be saying within yourselves, As our father, we have, Abraham; for, I say unto you - God is able, out of these stones, to raise up children unto Abraham.
But, Herod the tetrarch, being reproved by him concerning Herodias, the wife of his brother, and concerning all the wicked things Herod had done,
He, was the burning and shining lamp, and, ye, were willing to exult, for an hour, in his light.
Fausets
Son of Zacharias (of the course of Abijah, 1Ch 24:10) and Elisabeth (of the daughters of Aaron), who both "walked in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless." Elisabeth was related to the Virgin Mary; but Scripture does not state the exact relationship; the Greek in Lu 1:36 (sungenees), which our Bible renders "cousin," means any "relation" or "kinswoman," whether by marriage or birth. It is noteworthy that Jesus, of the Melchizedek order of priesthood, was related to but not descended from the Aaronic priests. Zacharias was old, and Elisabeth barren, when, as he was burning incense at the golden altar, Gabriel announced the answer to his prayers (not directly for a son, but, as Israel's representative, for Messiah the Hope of Israel) in the coming birth of a son, the appointed forerunner of Messiah; John (Jehovah's gift) was to he his name, because his supernatural birth was a pledge of the Lord's grace, long looked for, now visiting again His people to their joy (Luke 1).
John was to be "great in the sight of the Lord" (contrast Baruch, Jer 45:5). He should be in himself a pattern of that self denial which accords best with his subject of preaching, legal repentance, "drinking no strong drink, but filled with the Holy Spirit (see the same contrast, Eph 5:18, the minister's enthusiasm ought to be not from artificial stimulant but from the Spirit's unction) from the mother's womb," a Nazarite (Nu 6:1-21). Like the great prophet reformer (compare 1Ki 18:36-37) Elijah in "spirit. and power" of preaching, though not in miracles (Joh 10:41), he should turn the degenerate "children to the Lord and to" their righteous "fathers, and the heart of the fathers to the children," their past mutual alienation being due to the children's apostasy; fulfilling Mal 4:4-6; bringing "Moses' law" to their remembrance, "lest Jehovah at His coming should smite the earth with a curse." Thus John should "make ready a people for the Lord." Zacharias for unbelief in withholding credit without a sign was punished with dumbness as the sign until the event came to pass.
In the hill country, where Elisabeth had retired, her cousin Mary saluted her, and the babe leaped in Elisabeth's womb. His birth was six months before our Lord's. At his circumcision on the eighth day Zacharias gave his name John; and his returning faith was rewarded with returning speech, of which his first use was to pour forth a thanksgiving hymn, in which he makes it his son's chief honour that he should be "prophet of the Highest, going before the Lord's face to prepare His ways" as His harbinger. John had the special honour of being the subject off prophecy ages before, and of being associated in close juxtaposition with Messiah Himself. John "waxed strong in spirit and was in the deserts until the day of his showing unto Israel" (Lu 1:80). Meanwhile God's interposition in the wonders of his birth caused "all the people to be in expectation, musing in their hearts whether he were the Christ" (Lu 3:15). The thinly-populated region adjoining the hill country of Judea was his haunt; there communion alone with God prepared him for his work.
At 30, when "the word of God came to" him (Lu 3:2), he went forth, his very appearance a sign of the unworldliness and legal repentance. which he preached; his raiment a camel's hair garment secured with leather girdle (2Ki 1:8) as Elijah's; his food that supplied by the desert, locusts (Le 11:22) and wild honey (Ps 81:16). All classes, Pharisees, Sadducees, the people, publicans, and soldiers, flocked to him from every quarter, Jerusalem, Judea, and the, region round Jordan (Mt 3:5; Luke 3). The leading sects he denounced as a "generation of vipers" (compare Ge 3:15, the serpent's "seed"), warning them that descent from Abraham would not avail with out doing Abraham's works (compare Joh 8:39), and telling all practically and discriminatingly that the repentance needed required a renunciation of their several besetting sins; and that whereas, on their confession, he baptized with water baptism, the Mightier One would come baptizing with the Holy Spirit and fire (Mt 3:11-12). (See BAPTISM.)
When the ecclesiastical authorities sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask, Who art thou? John replied, "I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord" (Joh 1:19-23). The natural wilderness symbolized the moral (Isa 32:15), wherein was no highway for the Lord and for righteousness. The hills of pride and the valleys of degradation must be brought to the one holy level before the Lord (Isaiah 40). John was the forerunner of the reigning Messiah (Mt 3:2; Mal 3:1), but through the nation's rejection of Him that reign was deferred (compare Nu 14:34 with Mt 23:37-39). John baptized Jesus and though knowing Him before as a man and his kinsman, yet then first knew His divine Messiahship by the Spirit's visible descent (Joh 1:30-34). (See JESUS; BAPTISM.) John thence forth witnessed to Jesus, desiring to "decrease that He might increase." By his testimony at Bethany (so oldest manuscripts for Bethabara) beyond Jordan, "Behold the Lamb of God," he led two of his disciples to Him, Andrew and John the apostle and evangelist (Joh 1:35 ff; Joh 3:23-36; 4:1-2; Ac 19:3).
Yet John never formally joined Jesus; for he was one of the greatest among the Old Testament prophets, but not strictly in the New Testament kingdom, the least in which, as to spiritual privileges, was greater than he (Lu 7:28). His standing was the last of Old Testament prophets, preparatory to the gospel. He taught fasting and prayers, rather in the spirit and therefore with the forms of, the old dispensation which the new would supersede, its new spirit creating its appropriate new forms (Lu 5:33-38; 11:1). Herod Antipas beheaded him in the fortress Machaerus E. of the Dead Sea, to gratify Herodias' spite for John's faithfulness in denouncing her adultery, and in slavish adherence to his reckless oath to give Herodias' daughter Salome, for dancing on his birthday, whatever she might ask. (See HEROD ANTIPAS.)
From the prison John had sent two (the Sinaiticus and Vaticanus manuscripts read Mt 11:2 "by," dia, for duo, two) disciples to Jesus to elicit from Himself a profession of His Messiahship, for their confirmation in the faith. (See JESUS.) Jesus at once confirmed them and comforted John himself (who probably had expected to see Jesus more openly vindicating righteousness, as foretold Mal 3:2-5; 4:1-3), by an appeal to His miracles and preaching, the very credentials promised in Isa 35:5; 61:1. Jesus at the same time attested John's unshaken firmness, appealing to His hearers' own knowledge of him (Matthew 11). No reed shaken by the wind, no courtier in soft raiment, was John. But whether it was the ascetical forerunner, or the social Lord Himself, that preached, that generation was dissatisfied, with John because he was too self denying, with Jesus because He would not commend their self-righteous fastings: "we have piped unto you (unto John) and ye have not danced; we have mourned unto you (unto Jesus) and ye have not lamented."
Of John as of Jesus they said, he hath a devil. John fell just before the third Passover of Christ's ministry; his disciples buried him Self denial, humility, wherewith he disclaimed Messiahship and said he was not worthy to unloose His shoes' latchet, zeal for the Lord's honour, and holy faithfulness at all costs, were his prominent graces. (On the "Elias who shall yet come," see ELIJAH, end.) John's ministry extended at its close into Peraea at the S.E. end of the lake of Galilee. When the herald was silenced the Master took up the message (Mr 1:14) in the same quarter. John's labours there so impressed Herod that, "he feared and observed him, and when he heard him did many things, and heard him gladly"; but would not do the one thing needed, give up his adulterous paramour, his brother Philip's wife.
Elijah was translated in a chariot of fire; but John died a felon's death, for the forerunner was to be as his Lord. The worthless Ahab reappears in Herod with similar germs of good struggling with evil. Herodias answers to the cruel Jezebel. As Ahab
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And enmity, will I put between thee, and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed, - He shall crush thy head, but, thou, shalt crush his heel.
these of them, may ye eat: the swarming-locust after its kind, and the devouring locust after its kind, - and the chargol-locust after its kind, and the chagab-locust after its kind.
Speak unto the sons of Israel, and thou shalt say unto them, - When any man or woman, would make the special vow of One Separate, by separating himself unto Yahweh, from wine and strong drink, shall he separate himself, neither vinegar of wine nor vinegar of strong drink, shall he drink, - and no liquor of grapes, shall he drink, no grapes fresh or dried, shall he eat. read more. All the days of his separation, of nothing that is made from the grapevine from the seeds even to the skin, shall he eat. All the days of his vow of separation, no razor, shall pass over his head, - until the days are fulfilled for which he shall separate himself to Yahweh hallowed, shall he be, letting the locks of the hair of his head grow long. All the days for which he hath separated himself unto Yahweh to no dead person, shall he go in. Neither for his father nor for his mother nor for his brother nor for his sister, shall he make himself unclean-not even for them, should they die, - because, his separation unto God, is upon his head, All his days of separation hallowed, is he unto Yahweh. But if one that is dying should die by him in a moment suddenly, then shall he count unclean his head of separation, - and shall shave his head, on the day he cleanseth himself, on the seventh day, shall he shave it. And on the eighth day, shall he bring in. two turtle-doves, or two young pigeons, - unto the triest, unto the entrance of the tent of meeting; and the priest shall make, of one a sin - bearer and of one an ascending-sacrifice, and so put a propitiatory-covering over him, for that he sinned in respect of the dead person, - thus shall he hallow his head on that day. Then shall be separate unto Yahweh his days of separation, and shall bring in a he-lamb a year old as a guilt-bearer, - and, the first days, shall be lost because his separation, was made unclean. And, this, is the law of the Separate One, on the day when he fulfilleth his days of separation, he shall be brought in unto the entrance of the tent of meeting: then shall he bring near as his offering unto Yahweh. - one he-lamb a year old, without defect for an ascending-sacrifice, and one ewe-lamb a year old without defect for a sin-bearer, - and one ram, without defect for a peace-offering; and a basket of unleavened cakes - fine meal in round cakes overflowed with oil, and thin cakes of unleavened bread, anointed with oil, - with their meal-offering and their drink-offerings. Then shall the priest bring them near before Yahweh, - and offer his sin-bearer and his ascending-sacrifice; and the ram, shall he offer as a peace-offering unto Yahweh, besides the basket of unleavened cakes, - and the priest shall offer the meal-offering thereof and the drink-offering thereof, Then shall the Separate One shave, at the entrance of the tent of meeting, his head of separation, - and take the hair of his head of separation, and put upon the fire, which is under the peace-offering. Then shall the priest take the shoulder far boiling from the ram, and one unleavened round cake from the basket, and one unleavened thin cake, - and place them on the hands, of the Separate One after he hath shaven off his hair of separation; and the priest shall wave them as a wave-offering before Yahweh, hallowed, it is for the priest, besides the wave breast, and be-sides the heave leg, - and, afterwards, may the Separate One drink wine. This is the law of One Separate what he shall vow, his offering unto Yahweh with respect to his separation, besides what his hand may obtain: as required by the vow that he shall vow, so, must he do, with respect to the law of his separation.
By the number of the days wherein ye spied out the land - forty days, each day for a year, shall they bear your iniquities - forty years, - so shall ye know my opposition.
And it came to pass, at the time of the offering of the gift, that Elijah the prophet drew near, and said, O Yahweh, God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel! To-day, let it be known - That, thou, art God in Israel, and that, I, am thy servant, - and that, by thy word, have I done all these things. Answer me, O Yahweh! answer me, That this people may know, that, thou - Yahweh, art GOD, - so shalt, thou thyself, have turned their heart back again.
And they said unto him - A hairy man, with a leathern girdle girt about his loins. And he said - Elijah the Tishbite, it was.
Then would he feed them from the marrow of the wheat, Yea, out of the rock - with honey, would I satisfy thee.
Until there be poured out upon us the spirit, from on high, - Then shall the wilderness become, garden-land, And the garden-land, for a forest, be reckoned;
Then, shall be opened the eyes of the blind, - And, the ears of the deaf, be unstopped:
The spirit of My Lord Yahweh, is upon me, - Because Yahweh Hath anointed me to tell good tidings to the oppressed, lath sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, To proclaim To captives, liberty, To them who are bound, the opening of the prison;
Wouldst, thou, then seek to secure for thyself great things? Do not seek! For behold me! bringing in calamity upon all flesh, Declareth Yahweh, Nevertheless I will give thee thine own life as a spoil, in all places whithersoever thou goest.
Behold me! sending my messenger, who will prepare a way before me, - and, suddenly, shall come to his temple The Lord whom ye are seeking, even the messenger of the covenant in whom ye are delighting, Lo! he cometh! saith Yahweh of hosts. But who may endure the day of his coming? And who is he that can stand when he appeareth? For he is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' alkali; read more. Therefore will he sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and will purify the sons of Levi, and will smelt them, as gold and as silver; so shall they belong to Yahweh, offering a gift in righteousness. Then shall the gift of Judah and Jerusalem, be pleasant to Yahweh, - as in the days of age-past times, and as in the ancient years. Therefore will I draw near unto you for judgment, and will become a swift witness against the mutterers of incantations, and against the adulterers, and against them that swear to a falsehood, - and against them who rob the hire of the hireling, the widow and the fatherless, and that drive away the sojourner, and do not revere me, saith Yahweh of hosts.
For lo! the day, cometh, that burneth as a furnace, - and, all the proud and everyone who worketh lawlessness, shall be, stubble, and the day that cometh, shall consume them utterly, saith Yahweh of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch. So shall the sun of righteousness, arise to you who revere my Name, with healing in his wings, - and ye shall come forth and leap for joy like calves let loose from the stall; read more. And ye shall tread down the lawless, for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet, - in the day when I am working with effect, saith Yahweh of hosts. Remember ye the law of Moses my servant, - which I commanded him in Horeb, for all Israel, statutes and regulations. Lo! I am sending unto you Elijah the prophet, - before the coming of the great and awful day of Yahweh; And he shall bring back the heart of the fathers unto the children, and the heart of the children unto their fathers, - lest I come, and smite the land, with utter destruction.
saying, Repent ye, - for the kingdom of the heavens hath drawn near.
Then, were going forth unto him - Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the country round about the Jordan:
I, indeed, am immersing you, in water, unto repentance, - but, he who, after me, cometh is, mightier than I, whose, sandals, I am not worthy to bear, he, will immerse you, in Holy Spirit and fire: Whose fan is in his hand, and he will clear out his threshing-floor, - and will gather his wheat into the granary, but, the chaff, will he burn up with fire unquenchable.
Now, John, hearing in the prison the works of the Christ, sending through his disciples,
But, Jesus, taking note, retired from thence, - and many followed him, and he cured them all; and straitly charged them, lest they should make him, manifest: read more. that it might be fulfilled, which was spoken through Isaiah the prophet, saying: - Lo! my servant, whom I have chosen, My beloved, in whom, my soul, delighteth, - I will put my Spirit upon him, and, justice, unto the nations, will he report: He will not strive, nor will he cry out, nor shall any hear, in the broadways, his voice: A bruised cane, will he not break, and, a smoking wick, will he not quench, - until he urge on, justice, to victory, And, in his name, shall nations hope.
Jerusalem! Jerusalem! that slayeth the prophets, and stoneth them that have been sent unto her, - how often, would I have gathered thy children, like as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, - and ye would not! Lo! your house is left to you; read more. For I say unto you - in no wise, may ye see me, henceforth, until ye say, Blessed, is he that cometh, in the name of the Lord!
And after John was delivered up, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the glad-message of God,
And lo! Elizabeth thy kinswoman, even she, hath conceived a son in, her old-age; - and, this month, is, the sixth, to her, the so-called barren one;
And, the child, went on growing, and being strengthened in spirit, and was in the deserts, until the day he was pointed out unto Israel.
in the High-priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, came a word of God unto John the son, of Zechariah, in rue desert;
Now, as the people were in expectation, and all were deliberating in their hearts, concerning John, - whether by any means, he, might be, the Christ,
But, they, said unto him - The disciples of John, do fast much, and, supplications, do make, - likewise also the disciples of the Pharisees; but, thine, do eat and drink! Jesus, however, said unto them - Can, ye make, the sons of the bridechamber, fast, while the bridegroom is with them? read more. But there will come days, even when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, then, will they fast, in those days. Moreover, he went on to speak, a parable also, unto them - No one, rending a patch from a new mantle, patcheth it upon an old mantle; otherwise, at least, both, the new, he will rend, and, with the old, the patch which is from the new, will not agree. And, no one, poureth new wine into old skins; otherwise, at least, the new wine, will burst the skins, and will, itself, be poured out, and the skins be destroyed. But, new wine, into unused skins, must be poured.
I say unto you - A greater, among them that are born of women, than John, is there none; but, he that is least in the kingdom of God, is greater than he.
And it came to pass, when he was in a certain place praying, as he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him - Lord! teach us to pray, as, John also, taught his disciples.
And, this, is the witness of John, when the Jews sent forth unto him, out of Jerusalem, priests and Levites, - that they might question him - Who art, thou? and he confessed, and did not deny, - and he confessed - I, am not, the Christ; read more. and they questioned him - What then? Art, thou, Elijah? and he saith - I am not; The prophet, art, thou? and he answered - No! So they said unto him - Who, art thou? that, an answer, we may give, unto them who sent us, - What sayest thou, concerning thyself? He said - I, am a Voice, of one crying aloud; - In the desert, make ye straight, the way of the Lord: according as said Isaiah the prophet.
This, is he, of whom, I, said - After me, cometh a man, who, before me, hath advanced, because, my Chief, was he. And, I, knew him not, but, that he might be manifested unto Israel, therefore, came, I, in water, immersing. read more. And John bare witness, saying - I have gazed upon the Spirit, descending like a dove, out of heaven, - and it abode upon him. And, I, knew him not, - but, he that sent me to immerse in water, he, unto me, said - Upon whomsoever thou shalt see the Spirit descending and abiding upon him, the same, is he that immerseth in Holy Spirit. I, therefore, have seen, and borne witness - That, this, is, the, Son of God. On the morrow, again, was John standing, and, from among his disciples, two;
And John also was immersing in Aenon, near to him, because, many waters, were there; and they were coming, and being immersed; - for, not yet, had John been cast into prison. read more. There arose, therefore, a questioning, from among the disciples of John, with a Jew, - concerning purification. And they came unto John, and said unto him - Rabbi! he who was with thee beyond the Jordan, unto whom, thou, hast borne witness, see! the same, is immersing; and, all, are coming unto him. John answered, and said - A man can receive, nothing, except it have been given him out of heaven. Ye yourselves, unto me, bear witness, that, I, said - I, am not the Christ; but - I am sent before, That One. He that hath the bride, is, bridegroom; but, the friend of the bridegroom, who standeth by and hearkeneth unto him, greatly, rejoiceth, by reason of the voice of the bridegroom. This, my joy, therefore, is fulfilled. That One, it behoveth to increase, - but, me, to decrease. He that, from above, doth come, over all, is: he that is of the earth, of the earth, is, and, of the earth, doth speak: he that, out of heaven, doth come, over all, is, What he hath seen and heard, of, the same, he beareth witness, - and, his witness, no one, receiveth: - He that hath received his witness, hath set seal - that, God, is, true. For, he whom God hath sent, the sayings of God, doth speak; for, not by measure, giveth he the Spirit. The Father, loveth the Son, and, all things, hath given into his hand. He that believeth on the Son, hath life age-abiding: whereas, he that yieldeth not unto the Son, shall not see life, - but, the anger of God, awaiteth him.
When therefore the Lord knew, that the Pharisees had heard - Jesus, more disciples, is making and immersing, than John, - although indeed, Jesus himself, was not immersing, but his disciples,
They answered and said unto him - Our father, is, Abraham. Jesus saith unto them - If, children of Abraham, ye are, the works of Abraham, are ye doing.
And, many, came unto him, and were saying - John, indeed, did not so much as, one sign; but, all things, whatsoever John said concerning this one, were, true.
And he said - Into what, then, were ye immersed? And, they, said - Unto John's immersion.
And be not getting drunk with wine, in which is dissoluteness, but be getting filled in Spirit; -
Hastings
The single narrative of John's birth and circumcision (Lu 1) states that, as the child of promise (Lu 1:13), he was born in 'a city of Judah' (Lu 1:39), when his parents were old (Lu 1:7). They were both of priestly descent (Lu 1:5), and his mother was a kinswoman of the mother of Jesus (Lu 1:36). John was a Nazirite from his birth (Lu 1:15); he developed self-reliance in his lonely home, and learnt the secret of spiritual strength as he communed with God in the solitudes of the desert (Lu 1:80). In the Jud
See Verses Found in Dictionary
Speak ye unto all the assembly of Israel, saying, On the tenth of this month, then let them take to them, each man a lamb for his ancestral household, a lamb for a household.
This, moreover, is what thou shalt offer upon the altar, two lambs of a year old day by day, continually:
these of them, may ye eat: the swarming-locust after its kind, and the devouring locust after its kind, - and the chargol-locust after its kind, and the chagab-locust after its kind.
Then came the word of Yahweh unto Samuel, saying -
Wash you make you clean, Put away the wickedness of your doings from before mine eyes, - Cease to do evil.
A voice of one crying! - In the desert, prepare ye the way of Yahweh, - Make smooth in the waste plain a highway for our God:
Hard pressed - yet, he, humbled himself Nor opened his mouth - As, a lamb, to the slaughter, is led, And, as a sheep, before her shearers, is dumb - Nor opened his mouth.
Then shall they go forth and look upon the dead bodies of the men who had been trespassing against me - For, their worm, shall not die, And, their fire, shall not be quenched; So shall they become an abhorrence to all flesh.
And I will throw upon you clean water and ye shall he clean, - From all your uncleannesses and from all your manufactured gods, will I cleanse you;
For lo! I am giving command, and will sift, throughout all the nations, the house of Israel, - as grain is sifted in a sieve, yet shall there not fall a kernel, to the earth.
In that day, there shall be an opened fountain, for the house of David, and for the Inhabitants of Jerusalem, - for sin and for uncleanness.
Lo! I am sending unto you Elijah the prophet, - before the coming of the great and awful day of Yahweh;
Now, in those days, came John the Immerser, proclaiming in the wilderness of Judaea; saying, Repent ye, - for the kingdom of the heavens hath drawn near.
saying, Repent ye, - for the kingdom of the heavens hath drawn near. For, this, is he who was spoken of through Isaiah the prophet, saying, A voice, of one crying aloud! In the wilderness, prepare ye the way of the Lord, straight, be making his paths. read more. But John, himself, had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins, - while, his food, was locusts and wild honey.
But John, himself, had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins, - while, his food, was locusts and wild honey. Then, were going forth unto him - Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the country round about the Jordan:
Then, were going forth unto him - Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the country round about the Jordan: and were being immersed in the Jordan river, by him, openly confessing their sins.
and were being immersed in the Jordan river, by him, openly confessing their sins. But, seeing, many of the Pharisees and Sadducees, coming unto his immersion, he said to them, - Broods of vipers! who suggested to you, to be fleeing from the coming wrath? read more. Bring forth, therefore, fruit worthy of repentance; and think not to be saying within yourselves, - As our father, we have, Abraham; for, I say unto you, that God is able, out of these stones, to raise up children unto Abraham.
and think not to be saying within yourselves, - As our father, we have, Abraham; for, I say unto you, that God is able, out of these stones, to raise up children unto Abraham. Already also, the axe, unto the root of the trees, is being laid, - every tree, therefore, not bringing forth good fruit, is to be hewn down, and, into fire, to be cast. read more. I, indeed, am immersing you, in water, unto repentance, - but, he who, after me, cometh is, mightier than I, whose, sandals, I am not worthy to bear, he, will immerse you, in Holy Spirit and fire: Whose fan is in his hand, and he will clear out his threshing-floor, - and will gather his wheat into the granary, but, the chaff, will he burn up with fire unquenchable. Then, cometh Jesus, from Galilee to the Jordan, unto John, - to be immersed by him.
But Jesus answering, said unto him, Suffer me even now, - for, thus, it becometh us, to fulfil, all righteousness; then, he suffered him.
said unto him, Art, thou, the coming one? or, a different one, are we to expect?
And, if ye are willing to accept it, he, is Elijah - the one destined to come.
But, if we say, Of men, we fear the multitude, for, all, as a prophet, are holding John.
Beginning of the glad-message of Jesus Christ. According as it is written in Isaiah the prophet - Lo! I send my messenger before thy face, Who shall prepare thy way, - read more. A voice of one crying aloud - In the wilderness, prepare ye the way of the Lord, straight, be making his paths. John the Immerser came, in the wilderness, proclaiming an immersion of repentance for remission of sins;
John the Immerser came, in the wilderness, proclaiming an immersion of repentance for remission of sins; and there were going out unto him all the Judaea country and all they of Jerusalem, and were being immersed by him in the Jordan river, openly confessing their sins; read more. and John was clothed with camel's-hair and a leathern girdle about his loins, and was eating locusts and wild honey; and he proclaimed, saying - He that is mightier than I cometh after me, of whom I am not worthy to stoop and unloose the strap of his sandals: I, have immersed you, with water, - He, will immerse you, with the Holy Spirit.
I, have immersed you, with water, - He, will immerse you, with the Holy Spirit. And it came to pass, in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was immersed into the Jordan by John;
And King Herod heard, - for, famous, had become his name; and he was saying - John the Immerser hath arisen from among the dead, and, for this cause, are the powers working mightily in him;
For John had been saying to Herod - It is not allowed thee, to have, the wife of thy brother.
But I say unto you - Elijah also, hath come, and they have done with him, whatsoever they pleased, - according as it is written regarding him.
But, should we say, Of men -- , they were in fear of the multitude, for, one and all, were holding John, in very deed, that he was, a prophet.
It came to pass, in the days of Herod, king of Judaea, that there was a certain priest, by name Zachariah, of the daily course of Abia; and that he had a wife of the daughters of Aaron, and, her name, was Elizabeth.
and they had no child, inasmuch as Elizabeth was barren, and, both, had become, advanced in their days.
But the messenger said unto him - Do not fear, Zachariah! Inasmuch as thy supplication hath been hearkened to, - and, thy wife Elizabeth, shall bring forth a son to thee, and thou shalt call his name, John;
For he shall be great before the Lord, and, wine and strong drink, in nowise may he drink, and, with Holy Spirit, shall he be filled, already, from his mother's womb;
And, he, shall go before him, in the spirit and power of Elijah, - To turn the hearts of fathers unto children, and the unyielding, into the prudence of the righteous, and to prepare, for the Lord, a people made ready.
And lo! Elizabeth thy kinswoman, even she, hath conceived a son in, her old-age; - and, this month, is, the sixth, to her, the so-called barren one;
And Mary, arising, in these days, journeyed into the hill country with haste, into a city of Judah, -
And, the child, went on growing, and being strengthened in spirit, and was in the deserts, until the day he was pointed out unto Israel.
Now, in the fifteenth year of the supremacy of Tiberius Caesar, - Pontius Pilate being governor of Judaea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and, Philip his brother, tetrarch of Ituraea and the country of Trachonitis, and Lysanius, tetrarch of Abylene, - in the High-priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, came a word of God unto John the son, of Zechariah, in rue desert;
in the High-priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, came a word of God unto John the son, of Zechariah, in rue desert; and he came into all the country about the Jordan, proclaiming an immersion of repentance into remission of sins:
and he came into all the country about the Jordan, proclaiming an immersion of repentance into remission of sins: as it is written in the book of the discourses of Isaiah the prophet: A voice of one crying aloud! In the desert, prepare ye the way of the Lord, straight, be making his paths; read more. Every chasm, shall be filled up, and, every mountain and hill, be made low; and the, crooked, places shall become, straight, and the, rugged, places, smooth ways; - And all flesh shall see the salvation of God. He was saying, therefore, unto the multitudes who were going forth to be immersed by him - Broods of vipers! who suggested to you, to flee from the coming wrath? Bring forth, therefore, fruits worthy of repentance, and do not begin to be saying within yourselves, As our father, we have, Abraham; for, I say unto you - God is able, out of these stones, to raise up children unto Abraham.
Bring forth, therefore, fruits worthy of repentance, and do not begin to be saying within yourselves, As our father, we have, Abraham; for, I say unto you - God is able, out of these stones, to raise up children unto Abraham.
Bring forth, therefore, fruits worthy of repentance, and do not begin to be saying within yourselves, As our father, we have, Abraham; for, I say unto you - God is able, out of these stones, to raise up children unto Abraham. And, already, even the axe, unto the root of the trees is being laid; every tree, therefore, not bringing forth goodfruit, is to be hewn down, and, into fire, to be cast.
And, already, even the axe, unto the root of the trees is being laid; every tree, therefore, not bringing forth goodfruit, is to be hewn down, and, into fire, to be cast. And the multitude began to question him saying - What, then, shall we do? read more. And, answering, he said unto them - He that hath two tunics, let him share with him that hath none, and, he that hath food, in like manner, let him be doing. And there came, even tax-collectors, to be immersed; and they said unto him - Teacher! what, shall we, do? And, he, said unto them, Nothing more than what is appointed you, exact ye. Then were questioning him, soldiers also, saying - What shall, even we, do? And he said unto them - Molest ye, no one, neither accuse falsely; and be content with your supplies. Now, as the people were in expectation, and all were deliberating in their hearts, concerning John, - whether by any means, he, might be, the Christ, John answered, saying unto all - I, indeed, in water, am immersing you, but he that is mightier than I, cometh, the thong of whose sandals I am not worthy to unloose, - he, will immerse you m Holy Spirit and fire: whose fan is in his hand, to clear out his threshing-floor, and to gather the wheat into his granary; but, the chaff, will he burn up with fire unquenchable.
whose fan is in his hand, to clear out his threshing-floor, and to gather the wheat into his granary; but, the chaff, will he burn up with fire unquenchable. So then indeed, as to many things and various, he exhorted, and continued telling his glad-message unto the people. read more. But, Herod the tetrarch, being reproved by him concerning Herodias, the wife of his brother, and concerning all the wicked things Herod had done, added this also unto all, - he locked up John in prison. Now it came to pass, when one and all the people were immersed, Jesus also, having been immersed, and being at prayer, heaven was opened;
But, if we say, Of men, the people, one and all, will stone us, for, persuaded, they are, that, John, was, a prophet.
The same, came, for a witness, That he might bear witness, concerning the light, that, all, might believe, through him.
(John beareth witness concerning him, and hath cried aloud, saying - the same, was he that said - He who, after me, was coming, before me, hath advanced; because, my Chief, was he.) Because, out of his fulness, we all, received, even favour over against favour. read more. Because, the law, through Moses, was given, favour and truth, through Jesus Christ, came into existence. No one, hath seen, God, at any time: An Only Begotten God, The One existing within the bosom of the Father, He, hath interpreted him . And, this, is the witness of John, when the Jews sent forth unto him, out of Jerusalem, priests and Levites, - that they might question him - Who art, thou? and he confessed, and did not deny, - and he confessed - I, am not, the Christ; and they questioned him - What then? Art, thou, Elijah? and he saith - I am not; The prophet, art, thou? and he answered - No!
and they questioned him - What then? Art, thou, Elijah? and he saith - I am not; The prophet, art, thou? and he answered - No! So they said unto him - Who, art thou? that, an answer, we may give, unto them who sent us, - What sayest thou, concerning thyself? read more. He said - I, am a Voice, of one crying aloud; - In the desert, make ye straight, the way of the Lord: according as said Isaiah the prophet.
He said - I, am a Voice, of one crying aloud; - In the desert, make ye straight, the way of the Lord: according as said Isaiah the prophet. And they had been sent forth from among the Pharisees; read more. and they questioned him, and said unto him - Why, then, dost thou immerse, - if, thou, art not, the Christ, nor Elijah, nor, the Prophet?
and they questioned him, and said unto him - Why, then, dost thou immerse, - if, thou, art not, the Christ, nor Elijah, nor, the Prophet? John answered them, saying - I, immerse, in water. In the midst of you, standeth one, whom, ye, know not; - read more. after me, coming: - Of whom, I, am not worthy that I should unloose the thong of the sandal. These things, in Bethany, came to pass, beyond the Jordan, where John was, immersing. On the morrow, he beholdeth Jesus, coming unto him, and saith - See! the Lamb of God, who taketh away the sin of the world.
On the morrow, he beholdeth Jesus, coming unto him, and saith - See! the Lamb of God, who taketh away the sin of the world.
On the morrow, he beholdeth Jesus, coming unto him, and saith - See! the Lamb of God, who taketh away the sin of the world. This, is he, of whom, I, said - After me, cometh a man, who, before me, hath advanced, because, my Chief, was he. read more. And, I, knew him not, but, that he might be manifested unto Israel, therefore, came, I, in water, immersing. And John bare witness, saying - I have gazed upon the Spirit, descending like a dove, out of heaven, - and it abode upon him. And, I, knew him not, - but, he that sent me to immerse in water, he, unto me, said - Upon whomsoever thou shalt see the Spirit descending and abiding upon him, the same, is he that immerseth in Holy Spirit. I, therefore, have seen, and borne witness - That, this, is, the, Son of God.
He that hath the bride, is, bridegroom; but, the friend of the bridegroom, who standeth by and hearkeneth unto him, greatly, rejoiceth, by reason of the voice of the bridegroom. This, my joy, therefore, is fulfilled.
And he went away again, beyond the Jordan, unto the place where John was at the first, immersing; and he abode there.
The same, had been orally taught the way of the Lord, and, being fervent in his spirit, began speaking and teaching accurately, the things concerning Jesus, - properly knowing, only the immersion of John.
And he said - Into what, then, were ye immersed? And, they, said - Unto John's immersion.
For this cause, it is by faith, in order that it may be by way of favour, so that the promise is firm unto all the seed, - not unto that by the law only, but unto that also which is such by the faith of Abraham; who is father of us all, -
Neither, because they are seed of Abraham, are all children, - but, In Isaac, shall there be called unto thee a seed.
And, we, brethren, after the manner of Isaac, are children of a promise.
Morish
Son of Zacharias, priest of the order of Abia, or Abijah (1Ch 24:10), and of Elizabeth, a descendant of Aaron, born when they were both old. The conception was foretold by the angel Gabriel, who announced that John was to be a Nazarite, and should be filled with the Holy Ghost from his birth. His mission was also foretold: in the spirit and power of Elias he would be the forerunner of Christ, and would call the people to repentance, according to the prophecy in Isa 40:3. All that is recorded of his early life is "the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his showing unto Israel." Lu 1:80.
When he began his ministry he is described as having on "raiment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins: and his meat was locusts and wild honey." He preached in the wilderness, calling on the people to repent, for the kingdom of heaven was at hand. The people went out to him, and were baptised of him in the Jordan, confessing their sins. Mt 3:1-6. A godly remnant morally apart from the nation was thus prepared in spirit for the Lord. With these (the excellent in the earth, Ps. 16) the Lord Jesus identified Himself.
To the Pharisees and the Sadducees he was especially severe, calling them a 'generation of vipers' (Mt 3:7), but in Luke the multitude are so designated, for all must flee from the wrath to come, and bring forth fruits meet for repentance. The axe was laid to the root of the tree. There was One coming with the winnowing fan, who would divide the wheat from the chaff.
When the religious authorities at Jerusalem sent to John to ask who he was, he declared that he was not the Christ, nor Elias, nor 'that prophet.' De 18:15,18. He was "the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord," as Isaiah had prophesied. Joh 1:19-23. The Lord, in speaking of John, said, "Elias is indeed come," Mr 9:13, which seems to clash with Joh 1:21; another passage however explains it: "If ye will receive it, this is Elias which was for to come." Mt 11:14. He had come in the spirit and power of Elias, as foretold by Gabriel; and he was Elias to those who received him and who afterwards followed the Lord, as Andrew and another in Joh 1:40.
So far we have considered John's official place as the forerunner of Christ, but in John's gospel the Baptist's testimony is given to the Lamb of God. He also adds, "I knew him not," but he had been told that He upon whom he saw the Holy Spirit descend and remain was the Baptiser with the Holy Ghost; and he adds, "I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God." He may have known Jesus in a natural way, but his knowing Him as Son of God was by a divinely-given testimony. John proclaimed Jesus as "the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world;" and in the hearing of two of his own disciples he said, "Behold the Lamb of God." Jesus was to be the object of their hearts, and they followed Him. Afterwards, when John was told that Jesus was baptising, and that all the people were going to Him, he gave a remarkable answer: "He that hath the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom's voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled. He must increase, but I must decrease." John was the friend of the bridegroom. The Lord said that among those born of women no one was greater than John; but the least in the kingdom of heaven was greater than he, because the latter was in a new dispensation, John being connected with the law and the prophets of the old dispensation. Mt 11:11-13.
While in prison John's faith or patience seems in measure to have failed him, and he sent two of his disciples to the Lord with the question, "Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?" He evidently had not apprehended the humiliation and rejection of the Messiah, and expected to have been delivered from prison by the power which he knew had been exercised in grace by the Lord. The Lord wrought various miracles while John's disciples were there, and bade them tell him what they had seen and heard, adding, "Blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me." Lu 7:19-23.
It was because of John's faithfulness in reproving the sins of Herod Antipas that he had been by him cast into prison. This led to his death through Salome and her guilty mother. John's work was done; he was faithful unto death. Mr 6:14-29.
See Verses Found in Dictionary
A prophet out of thy midst of thy brethren like unto me, will Yahweh thy God, raise up unto thee - unto him, shall ye hearken:
A prophet, will I raise up unto them, out of the midst of their brethren, like unto thee, - and I will put my words in his mouth, so shall he speak unto them whatsoever I shall command him.
A voice of one crying! - In the desert, prepare ye the way of Yahweh, - Make smooth in the waste plain a highway for our God:
Now, in those days, came John the Immerser, proclaiming in the wilderness of Judaea; saying, Repent ye, - for the kingdom of the heavens hath drawn near. read more. For, this, is he who was spoken of through Isaiah the prophet, saying, A voice, of one crying aloud! In the wilderness, prepare ye the way of the Lord, straight, be making his paths. But John, himself, had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins, - while, his food, was locusts and wild honey. Then, were going forth unto him - Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the country round about the Jordan: and were being immersed in the Jordan river, by him, openly confessing their sins. But, seeing, many of the Pharisees and Sadducees, coming unto his immersion, he said to them, - Broods of vipers! who suggested to you, to be fleeing from the coming wrath?
Verily, I say unto you - There hath not arisen, among such as are born of women, a greater than John the Immerser, - yet, he that is less in the kingdom of the heavens, is, greater than he. But, from the days of John the Immerser, until even now, the kingdom of the heavens, is being invaded, and, invaders, are, seizing upon it. read more. For, all the prophets and the law, until John, did prophesy; And, if ye are willing to accept it, he, is Elijah - the one destined to come.
And King Herod heard, - for, famous, had become his name; and he was saying - John the Immerser hath arisen from among the dead, and, for this cause, are the powers working mightily in him; But, others, were saying - It is Elijah, and, others were saying - A prophet, like one of the prophets! read more. But, when Herod heard, he was saying - He whom I beheaded - John, the same, hath been raised. For, Herod himself, had sent and secured John and bound him in prison, for the sake of Herodias the wife of Philip his brother, - for, her, had he married, For John had been saying to Herod - It is not allowed thee, to have, the wife of thy brother. And, Herodias, was cherishing a grudge against him, and wishing, to slay him, - and could not; for, Herod, stood in fear of John, knowing him to be a man righteous and holy, - and was keeping him safe; and, when he heard him, he paid earnest heed, and, with pleasure, used to listen to him. And, an opportune day arriving, when Herod on his birthday made a feast for his nobles, and for the rulers of thousands and for the first men of Galilee, when the daughter of this very Herodias came in and danced, she pleased Herod and those reclining together, and, the king, said unto the damsel - Ask me what thou wilt, and I will give it thee; and he took an oath to her - Whatsoever thou shalt ask me, I will give thee, unto half my kingdom. And, going out, she said unto her mother - What shall I ask? and she said - The head of John the Immerser; And, coming in straightway, with hast, unto the king, she asked, saying - I desire, that, forthwith, thou give me, upon a charger, the head of John the Immerser. And, though the king was, very grieved, yet, by reason of the oaths, and of them who were reclining, he would not refuse her. And the king, straightway, sending off a guard, gave orders to bring his head. And, departing, he beheaded him in the prison, and brought his head upon a charger, and gave it unto the damsel - and, the damsel, gave it unto her mother. And, hearing of it, his disciples went and took away his corpse, and laid it in a tomb.
But I say unto you - Elijah also, hath come, and they have done with him, whatsoever they pleased, - according as it is written regarding him.
And, the child, went on growing, and being strengthened in spirit, and was in the deserts, until the day he was pointed out unto Israel.
And, calling unto him certain two of his disciples, John sent unto the Lord, saying - Art, thou, the Coming One, or, a different one, are we to expect? And, coming near unto him, the men said - John the Immerser, hath sent us unto thee, saying, Art, thou, the Coming One, or, another, are we to expect? read more. In that very hour, he cured many from diseases, and plagues, and wicked spirits; and, unto many blind, gave he the favour to see. And, answering, he said unto them - Go and bear tidings unto John, as to what ye have seen and heard: The blind, are receiving sight, the lame, walk, lepers, are cleansed, and, the deaf, hear, the dead, are raised, the destitute, are told the glad-message; And, happy, is he, whosoever shall not find occasion of stumbling in me!
And, this, is the witness of John, when the Jews sent forth unto him, out of Jerusalem, priests and Levites, - that they might question him - Who art, thou? and he confessed, and did not deny, - and he confessed - I, am not, the Christ; read more. and they questioned him - What then? Art, thou, Elijah? and he saith - I am not; The prophet, art, thou? and he answered - No!
and they questioned him - What then? Art, thou, Elijah? and he saith - I am not; The prophet, art, thou? and he answered - No! So they said unto him - Who, art thou? that, an answer, we may give, unto them who sent us, - What sayest thou, concerning thyself? read more. He said - I, am a Voice, of one crying aloud; - In the desert, make ye straight, the way of the Lord: according as said Isaiah the prophet.
One of the two that heard from John and followed him, was Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter.
Smith
was of the priestly race by both parents, for his father, Zacharias, was himself a priest of the course of Abia or Abijah,
and Elisabeth was of the daughters of Aaron.
Lu 1:5
His birth was foretold by an angel sent from God, and is related at length in Luke 1. The birth of John preceded by six months that of our Lord. John was ordained to be a Nazarite from his birth.
Lu 1:15
Dwelling by himself in the wild and thinly-peopled region westward of the Dead Sea, he prepared himself for the wonderful office to which he had been divinely called. His dress was that of the old prophets --a garment woven of camel's hair,
attached to the body by a leathern girdle. His food was such as the desert afforded --locusts,
and wild honey.
And now the long-secluded hermit came forth to the discharge of his office. His supernatural birth, his life, and the general expectation that some great one was about to appear, were sufficient to attract to him a great multitude from "every quarter."
Many of every class pressed forward to confess their sins and to be baptized. Jesus himself came from Galilee to Jordan to be baptized of John. [JESUS] From incidental notices we learn that John and his disciples continued to baptize some time after our Lord entered upon his ministry. See
See Jesus Christ
Joh 3:23; 4:1; Ac 19:3
We gather also that John instructed his disciples in certain moral and religious duties, as fasting,
Mt 9:14; Lu 5:33
and prayer.
Lu 11:1
But shortly after he had given his testimony to the Messiah, John's public ministry was brought to a close. In daring disregard of the divine laws, Herod Antipas had taken to himself Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip; and when John reproved him for this, as well as for other sins,
Lu 3:19
Herod cast him into prison. (March, A.D. 28.) The place of his confinement was the castle of Machaerus, a fortress on the eastern shore of the Dead Sea. It was here that reports reached him of the miracles which our Lord was working in Judea. Nothing but the death of the Baptist would satisfy the resentment of Herodias. A court festival was kept at Machaerus in honor of the king's birthday. After supper the daughter of Herodias came in and danced the king by her grace that he promised with an oath to give her whatsoever she should ask. Salome, prompted by her abandoned mother, demanded the head of John the Baptist. Herod gave instructions to an officer of his guard, who went and executed John in the prison, and his head was brought to feast the eyes of the adulteress whose sins he had denounced. His death is supposed to have occurred just before the third passover, in the course of the Lord's ministry. (March, A.D. 29.)
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these of them, may ye eat: the swarming-locust after its kind, and the devouring locust after its kind, - and the chargol-locust after its kind, and the chagab-locust after its kind.
And they said unto him - A hairy man, with a leathern girdle girt about his loins. And he said - Elijah the Tishbite, it was.
Then would he feed them from the marrow of the wheat, Yea, out of the rock - with honey, would I satisfy thee.
Then, were going forth unto him - Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the country round about the Jordan:
Then come near unto him the disciples of John, saying, - Wherefore do, we, and the Pharisees, fast, whereas, thy disciples, fast not?
It came to pass, in the days of Herod, king of Judaea, that there was a certain priest, by name Zachariah, of the daily course of Abia; and that he had a wife of the daughters of Aaron, and, her name, was Elizabeth.
For he shall be great before the Lord, and, wine and strong drink, in nowise may he drink, and, with Holy Spirit, shall he be filled, already, from his mother's womb;
But, Herod the tetrarch, being reproved by him concerning Herodias, the wife of his brother, and concerning all the wicked things Herod had done,
But, they, said unto him - The disciples of John, do fast much, and, supplications, do make, - likewise also the disciples of the Pharisees; but, thine, do eat and drink!
And it came to pass, when he was in a certain place praying, as he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him - Lord! teach us to pray, as, John also, taught his disciples.
And John also was immersing in Aenon, near to him, because, many waters, were there; and they were coming, and being immersed; -
When therefore the Lord knew, that the Pharisees had heard - Jesus, more disciples, is making and immersing, than John, -
And he said - Into what, then, were ye immersed? And, they, said - Unto John's immersion.
Watsons
JOHN THE BAPTIST, the forerunner of the Messiah, was the son of Zechariah and Elizabeth, and was born about six months before our Saviour. His birth was foretold by an angel, sent purposely to deliver this joyful message, when his mother Elizabeth was barren, and both his parents far advanced in years. The same divine messenger foretold that he should be great in the sight of the Lord: that he should be filled with the Holy Spirit from his mother's womb; that he should prepare the way of the Lord by turning many of the Jews to the knowledge of God; and that he should be the greatest of all the prophets, Lu 1:5-15. Of the early part of the Baptist's life we have but little information. It is only observed that "he grew and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his showing unto Israel," Lu 1:80. Though consecrated from the womb to the ministerial office, John did not enter upon it in the heat of youth, but after several years spent in solitude and a course of self-denial.
The prophetical descriptions of the Baptist in the Old Testament are various and striking. That by Isaiah is: "The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God," Isa 40:3. Malachi has the following prediction: "Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord. And he shall turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to the fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse," Mal 4:5. That this was meant of the Baptist, we have the testimony of our Lord himself, who declared, "For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. And if ye will receive it, this is Elias who was to come," Mt 11:14. The appearance and manners of the Baptist, when he first came out into the world, excited general attention. His clothing was of camel's hair, bound round him with a leathern girdle, and his food consisted of locusts and wild honey, Mt 3:4. The message which he declared was authoritative: "Repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand;" and the impression produced by his faithful reproofs and admonitions was powerful and extensive, and in a great number of instances lasting. Most of the first followers of our Lord appear to have been awakened to seriousness and religious inquiry by John's ministry. His character was so eminent, that many of the Jews thought him to be the Messiah; but he plainly declared that he was not that honoured person. Nevertheless, he was at first unacquainted with the person of Jesus Christ; only the Holy Ghost had told him that he on whom he should see the Holy Spirit descend and rest was the Messiah. When Jesus Christ presented himself to receive baptism from him, this sign was vouchsafed; and from that time he bore his testimony to Jesus, as the Christ.
Herod Antipas, having married his brother Philip's wife while Philip was still living, occasioned great scandal. John the Baptist, with his usual liberty and vigour, reproved Herod to his face; and told him that it was not lawful for him to have his brother's wife, while his brother was yet alive. Herod, incensed at this freedom, ordered him into custody, in the castle of Machoerus; and he was ultimately put to death. (See Antipas.) Thus fell this honoured prophet, a martyr to ministerial faithfulness. Other prophets testified of Christ; he pointed to him as already come. Others saw him afar off; he beheld the advancing glories of his ministry eclipsing his own, and rejoiced to "decrease" while his Master "increased." His ministry stands as a type of the true character of evangelical repentance: it goes before Christ and prepares his way; it is humbling, but not despairing; for it points to "the Lamb of God which taketh away the sins of the world." The Jews had such an opinion of this prophet's sanctity, that they ascribed the overthrow of Herod's army, which he had sent against his father-in- law, Aretas, to the just judgment of God for putting John the Baptist to death. The death of John the Baptist happened, as is believed, about the end of the thirty-first year of the vulgar era, or in the beginning of the thirty-second.
The baptism of John was much more perfect than that of the Jews, but less perfect than that of Jesus Christ. "It was," says St. Chrysostom, "as it were, a bridge, which, from the baptism of the Jews, made a way to that of our Saviour, and was more exalted than the first, but inferior to the second. That of St. John promised what that of Jesus Christ executed. Notwithstanding St. John did not enjoin his disciples to continue the baptism of repentance, which was of his institution, after his death, because, after the manifestation of the Messiah, and the establishment of the Holy Ghost, it became of no use; yet there were many of his followers who still administered it, and several years after the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, did not so much as know that there was any other baptism than that of John. Of this number was Apollos, a learned and zealous man, who was of Alexandria, and came to Ephesus twenty years after the resurrection of our Saviour, Ac 18:25. And when St. Paul came after Apollos to the same city, there were still many Ephesians who had received no other baptism, and were not yet informed that the Holy Ghost was received by baptism in the name of Jesus Christ, Ac 19:1. The Jews are said by the Apostle Paul to have been "baptized unto Moses," at the time when they followed him through the Red Sea, as the servant of God sent to be their leader. Those who went out to John "were baptized unto John's baptism;" that is, into the expectation of the person whom John announced, and into repentance of those sins which John condemned. Christians are "baptized into the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost," because in this expression is implied that whole system of truth which the disciples of Christ believe; into the name of the Father, the one true and living God whom Christians profess to serve; of the Son, that divine person revealed in the New Testament whom the Father sent to be the Saviour of the world; of the Holy Ghost, the divine person also revealed there as the Comforter, the Sanctifier, and the Guide of Christians.
JOHN THE EVANGELIST was a native of Bethsaida, in Galilee, son of Zebedee and Salome, by profession a fisherman. Some have thought that he was a disciple of John the Baptist before he attended Jesus Christ. He was brother to James the greater. It is believed that St. John was the youngest of the Apostles. Tillemont is of opinion that he was twenty-five or twenty-six years of age when he began to follow Jesus. Our Saviour had a particular friendship for him; and he describes himself by the name of "that disciple whom Jesus loved." St. John was one of the four Apostles to whom our Lord delivered his predictions relative to the destruction of Jerusalem, and the approaching calamities of the Jewish nation, Mr 13:3. St. Peter, St. James, and St. John were chosen to accompany our Saviour on several occasions, when the other Apostles were not permitted to be present. When Christ restored the daughter of Jairus to life, Mr 5:37; Lu 8:51; when he was transfigured on the mount, Mt 17:1-2; Mr 9:2; Lu 9:28; and when he endured his agony in the garden, Mt 26:36-37; Mr 14:32-33; St. Peter, St. James, and St. John were his only attendants. That St. John was treated by Christ with greater familiarity than the other Apostles, is evident from St. Peter desiring him to ask Christ who should betray him, when he himself did not dare to propose the question, Joh 13:24. He seems to have been the only Apostle present at the crucifixion, and to him Jesus, just as he was expiring upon the cross, gave the strongest proof of his confidence and regard, by consigning to him the care of his mother, Joh 19:26-27. As St. John had been witness to the death of our Saviour, by seeing the blood and water issue from his side, which a soldier had pierced, Joh 19:34-35, so he was one of the first made acquainted with his resurrection. Without any hesitation, he believed this great event, though "as
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A voice of one crying! - In the desert, prepare ye the way of Yahweh, - Make smooth in the waste plain a highway for our God:
Lo! I am sending unto you Elijah the prophet, - before the coming of the great and awful day of Yahweh;
But John, himself, had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins, - while, his food, was locusts and wild honey.
And, if ye are willing to accept it, he, is Elijah - the one destined to come.
And, after six days, Jesus taketh with him, Peter and James and John his brother, and bringeth them up into a high mountain, apart; and was transformed before them, - and his face shone as the sun, and, his garments, became white as the light.
Then Jesus cometh with them, into a place called Gethsemane, - and he saith unto his disciples, Sit ye here, while I go yonder and pray. And, taking with him, Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be grieved and to be in great distress.
And he suffered no one to follow with him, save Peter and James and John the brother of James.
And, after six days, Jesus taketh with him Peter and James and John, and bringeth them up into a high mountain, apart, alone, - and he was transformed before them;
And, as he was sitting within the mount of Olives, over against the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew were questioning him, privately -
And they come into an estate the name of which is Gethsemane, and he saith unto his disciples - Sit ye here, while I pray. And he taketh Peter and James and John with him, and began to be exceedingly amazed, and in great distress;
It came to pass, in the days of Herod, king of Judaea, that there was a certain priest, by name Zachariah, of the daily course of Abia; and that he had a wife of the daughters of Aaron, and, her name, was Elizabeth. Now they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and righteous appointments of the Lord, blameless; read more. and they had no child, inasmuch as Elizabeth was barren, and, both, had become, advanced in their days. But it came to pass, as he was doing priestly service in the order of his daily course, before God, according to the custom of his priesthood, it fell to his lot to offer incense, entering into the Temple of the Lord; and, all the throng of the people, was praying outside, at the hour of the incense offering. And there appeared unto him a messenger of the Lord, standing on the right hand of the altar of incense; and Zachariah was troubled when he beheld, and, fear, fell upon him. But the messenger said unto him - Do not fear, Zachariah! Inasmuch as thy supplication hath been hearkened to, - and, thy wife Elizabeth, shall bring forth a son to thee, and thou shalt call his name, John; And there shall be joy to thee and exulting, and, many, over his birth, shall rejoice; For he shall be great before the Lord, and, wine and strong drink, in nowise may he drink, and, with Holy Spirit, shall he be filled, already, from his mother's womb;
And, the child, went on growing, and being strengthened in spirit, and was in the deserts, until the day he was pointed out unto Israel.
And, when he came into the house, he suffered no one to enter with him, save Peter and John and James, and the father of the girl, and the mother.
And it came to pass, after these words, about eight days, taking with him Peter and John and James, he went up into the mountain to pray.
And it came to pass, while he was blessing them, he parted from them
so Simon Peter beckoneth unto the same, and saith unto him - Say, Who is it? concerning whom he speaketh.
Jesus, therefore, seeing his mother and the disciple whom he loved, saith unto his mother - O woman, see! thy son! Afterwards, he saith unto the disciple - See! thy mother! And, from that hour, the disciple took her unto his own home.
but, one of the soldiers, with a spear, pierced, his side, and there came out, straightway, blood and water. And, he that hath seen, hath borne witness; and, genuine, is his testimony, and, he, knoweth that he saith, what is true, that, ye also, may believe.
For, not yet, knew they the Scripture, that he must needs, from among the dead, arise.
But, as they were speaking unto the people, the High-priests and the Captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them,
But the High-priest, arising, and all who were with him, - being the sect of the Sadducees, - were filled with jealousy, And thrust their hands upon the Apostles, and put them in a public ward.
And the Apostles who were in Jerusalem, hearing that Samaria had welcomed the word of God, sent out unto them Peter and John; Who, indeed, going down, prayed for them, that they might receive Holy Spirit; -
The same, had been orally taught the way of the Lord, and, being fervent in his spirit, began speaking and teaching accurately, the things concerning Jesus, - properly knowing, only the immersion of John.
And it came to pass, while Apollos was in Corinth, Paul, passing through the upper parts, came to Ephesus, and found certain disciples;
But whosoever may be keeping his word, of a truth, in this man, the love of God hath been made perfect. Hereby, perceive we, that, in him, we are.
Beloved! no new commandment, am I writing unto you; but an old commandment, which ye have been holding from the beginning: The old commandment is the word which ye have heard.
He that saith he is, in the light, and hateth, his brother, is, in the darkness, until even now! He that loveth his brother, is abiding, in the light, and, cause of stumbling, in him, is there none. read more. Whereas, he that hateth his brother, in the darkness, dwelleth, and in the darkness, walketh; and knoweth not whither he is drifting, because the, darkness, hath blinded his eyes.
Be not loving the world, nor yet the things that are in the world: if anyone be loving the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
Behold, what manner of love, the Father hath bestowed upon us - that, children of God, we should be called, - and such we are! Therefore, the world understandeth us not, because it understood not him.
Because, this, is the message which ye have heard from the beginning - that we should be loving one another, - Not just as, Cain, was, of the wicked one, and slew his brother! And, for what cause, slew he him? Because, his works, were, wicked, whereas, those of his brother, were, righteous.
We, know, that we have passed over out of death into life, because we love the brethren: he that loveth not, abideth in death. Whosoever is hating his brother, is, a murderer; and ye know that, no murderer, hath life age-during, within him abiding. read more. Hereby, have we come to understand love: in that, He, for us, his life laid down; and, we, ought, for the brethren, our lives to lay down. But, whoso hath this world's goods, and beholdeth his brother having, need, and shutteth up his tender affections from him, how, is, the love of God, abiding in him? Dear children! Let us not be loving in word, nor yet with the tongue, but in deed and truth.
And, this, is his commandment, - that we should believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and be loving one another - just as he gave a commandment unto us.
Beloved! let us be loving one another; because, love, is, of God, and, whosoever loveth, of God, hath been born, and is getting to understand God: He that doth not love, doth not understand God, because, God, is, love. read more. Herein, hath the love of God in us, been made manifest, that, his only-begotten Son, God sent into the world, in order that we might live through him. Herein, is love: not that, we, have loved God, but that, he, loved us, and sent forth his Son, as a propitiation concerning our sins.
Upon God, hath no one, at any time, gazed: If we love one another, God, in us, abideth, and, his love, hath been perfected within us.
And, we, have come to understand and to trust the love which, God, hath, in us. God, is, love; and, he that abideth in love, in God, abideth, and, God, in him abideth. Herein, hath love with us, been made perfect, - in order that, boldness, we might have in the day of judging, - in that, just as, He, is, we also, are, in this world. read more. Fear, existeth not, in love, but, perfect love, casteth fear, outside; because, fear, hath correction: he that feareth, hath not been made perfect, in love. We, love, because, he, first loved us: - If one should say, I love God, and should be hating, his brother, false, is he; for, he that doth not love his brother, whom he hath seen, God, whom he hath not seen, he cannot love! And, this commandment, have we from him, - that, he who loveth God, love, his brother also.
Whosoever believeth that, Jesus, is the Christ, of God, hath been born: and, whosoever loveth him that begat, loveth him that hath been begotten of him. Hereby, perceive we, that we love the children of God, as soon as, God, we love, and, his commandments, we are doing. read more. For, this is the love of God - that, his commandments, we be keeping, and, his commandments, are not burdensome;
I, John, your brother, and partaker with you in the tribulation and kingdom and endurance in Jesus, came to be in the isle that is called Patmos, because of the word of God, and the witness of Jesus.