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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Now in those days came John the baptist preaching in the desert part of Judea, and saying, Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand: read more. for this is He who was spoken of by Esaias the prophet, saying, The voice of one crying in the desert, "Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight."
for this is He who was spoken of by Esaias the prophet, saying, The voice of one crying in the desert, "Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight." And this John had his clothes of camels hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins, and his food was locusts and wild honey. read more. Then went, out to him Jerusalem, and all Judea, and all the country about Jordan,
Then went, out to him Jerusalem, and all Judea, and all the country about Jordan, and they were baptized by him in Jordan, confessing their sins. read more. But when he saw many of the pharisees and sadducees coming to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth therefore fruits becoming: penitents: and do not say within your selves, "We have Abraham for our father:" for I tell you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children to Abraham. And now the ax is laid to the root of the trees; every tree therefore, which yieldeth not good fruit, is cut down and cast into the fire. I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance; but He that cometh after me, is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to carry: He shall baptize you with the holy Spirit and with fire. Whose fan is in his hand, and He will thoroughly cleanse his floor, and gather the wheat into his granary, but will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.
And Jesus answering said unto him, Permit it now; for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness.
for Herod had apprehended John, and bound him, and put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife; for John said to Him, It is not lawful for thee to have her: and he would have put him to death, read more. but that he was afraid of the people; for they esteemed him as a prophet. But when Herod's birth-day was kept, the daughter of Herodias danced before them, and pleased Herod, so that he promised her with an oath to give her whatever she would ask: and she, being before instructed by her mother, said, Give me here in a dish the head of John the baptist: at which the king was distressed, but because of his oath, and of those who sat at table with him, he ordered it to be given her; and he sent and beheaded John in the prison, and his head was brought in a dish, and given to the young princess, who carried it to her mother: and his disciples came and took up the body and buried it, and then went and told Jesus.
There was in the days of Herod king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia; and his wife was of the family of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth.
and he shall drink neither wine nor any other strong liquor; and he shall be filled with the holy Spirit even from his birth;
And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spake and praised God.
And the child grew, and became strong in spirit: and he was in the deserts till the time of his being manifested to Israel.
Bring forth therefore fruits becoming penitents, and do not say within yourselves, "We have Abraham for our father," for I tell you that God can of these stones raise up children to Abraham.
But Herod the tetrarch being reproved by him on account of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, and for all the wicked things which Herod did,
He was indeed a burning and shining light, and for a while ye willingly rejoiced 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 saying, Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand:
Then went, out to him Jerusalem, and all Judea, and all the country about Jordan,
I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance; but He that cometh after me, is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to carry: He shall baptize you with the holy Spirit and with fire. Whose fan is in his hand, and He will thoroughly cleanse his floor, and gather the wheat into his granary, but will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.
Now when John heard in prison of the works of Christ,
but Jesus knew it, and withdrew from thence; and great multitudes followed Him with their sick, and he healed them all, charging them not to make Him known: read more. that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Behold my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon Him, and He shall declare judgement to the nations: He shall not contend, nor cry aloud, nor shall any one hear his voice in the streets: a bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax he will not extinguish, till He send forth judgement victorious. And in his name shall the Gentiles hope.
O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! Behold your house shall be left you desolate: read more. for I tell you, ye shall not see me after this, till ye shall say, Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord.
Now after John was cast into prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,
thy cousin Elisabeth also hath conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month with her that was called barren;
And the child grew, and became strong in spirit: and he was in the deserts till the time of his being manifested to Israel.
and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene, Annas and Caiaphas being high priests, the word of God came unto John the Son of Zacharias in the wilderness:
Now as the people were in suspense, and were all thinking in their hearts concerning John, whether he were the Christ or not,
And they said unto Him, Why do the disciples of John frequently fast and pray, and likewise those of the pharisees; but thine eat and drink? And He said unto them, Can ye make those of the bride-chamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them? read more. but the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, then they will fast. Then He spake a parable to them, That no one putteth a piece of new cloth upon an old garment: otherwise, the new maketh a rent, and doth not match the old: nor doth any one put new wine in to old vessels; otherwise, the new wine will burst the casks, and be spilled, and the vessels will be destroyed: but new wine must be put into new vessels, and then both are saved.
for I tell you that among the sons of men there is not a greater prophet than John the baptist: (though the least in the kingdom of God is greater than he:)
And as He was praying in a certain retired place, as soon as He had done, one of his disciples said to Him, Lord, teach us to pray as John also taught his disciples.
And this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent from Jerusalem priests and Levites to ask him, Who art thou? he confessed, and denied not; but declared openly, I am not the Christ. read more. And they asked him, What then? art thou Elias? And he said, I am not. Art thou a prophet? and he answered, No. Therefore said they unto him, Who art thou? that we may give an answer to them that sent us: What dost thou say of thy self? and he said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, "Make straight the way of the Lord," according to Esaias the prophet.
This is He of whom I said, After me cometh a man, who is preferred before me: for He was before me. And I knew Him not: but therefore came I baptizing with water, that He might be made known to Israel. read more. And John testified saying, I saw the Spirit descending like a dove from heaven, and it abode upon Him. And I knew Him not: but He that sent me to baptize with water, said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending and abiding on Him, the same is he that baptizeth with the Holy Spirit. And I saw it, and therefore testified that this is the Son of God. The day following John was standing, (and two of his disciples,)
And John also was baptizing in Enon near Salim; because there was much water there: and people came to him and were baptized. For John was not yet cast into prison. read more. Now there arose a dispute between some of the disciples of John, and the Jews, about purifying. And they came to John, and said unto him, Rabbi, He that was with thee on the other side Jordan, to whom thou barest testimony, behold, He baptizeth and all the people come to Him. John answered and said, A man can take nothing upon him, unless it be given him from heaven. Ye your selves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but am sent before Him. He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, who standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth with great joy at the bridegroom's voice. Therefore my joy is complete. He must increase, but I must decrease. He, that cometh from above, is above all: he that is of the earth, is earthly, and talketh like one of the earth: but He that cometh from heaven, is above all: and what He hath seen and heard, this He testifieth: and yet scarce any one receiveth his testimony. He that hath received his testimony, hath set his seal to this, that God is true: for He, whom God hath sent, speaketh the words of God: for God giveth the Spirit to Him not by measure. The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all into his hand: wherefore he that believeth on the Son, hath eternal life; and he that obeyeth not the Son, shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him.
Therefore when the Lord knew, the pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John, (though Jesus Himself did not baptize, but his disciples,)
They answered Him, Abraham is our father, Jesus replied, If ye were the children of Abraham, ye would do the works of Abraham:
And many resorted to Him, and said, John wrought no miracle, but all that he said concerning this man, was true.
And he said unto them, Into what then were ye baptized? And they said, Into the baptism of John.
And be not drunk with wine, in which there is riotous excess; but be filled with the 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
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Now in those days came John the baptist preaching in the desert part of Judea, and saying, Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand:
and saying, Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand: for this is He who was spoken of by Esaias the prophet, saying, The voice of one crying in the desert, "Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight." read more. And this John had his clothes of camels hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins, and his food was locusts and wild honey.
And this John had his clothes of camels hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins, and his food was locusts and wild honey. Then went, out to him Jerusalem, and all Judea, and all the country about Jordan,
Then went, out to him Jerusalem, and all Judea, and all the country about Jordan, and they were baptized by him in Jordan, confessing their sins.
and they were baptized by him in Jordan, confessing their sins. But when he saw many of the pharisees and sadducees coming to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? read more. Bring forth therefore fruits becoming: penitents: and do not say within your selves, "We have Abraham for our father:" for I tell you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children to Abraham.
"We have Abraham for our father:" for I tell you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children to Abraham. And now the ax is laid to the root of the trees; every tree therefore, which yieldeth not good fruit, is cut down and cast into the fire. read more. I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance; but He that cometh after me, is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to carry: He shall baptize you with the holy Spirit and with fire. Whose fan is in his hand, and He will thoroughly cleanse his floor, and gather the wheat into his granary, but will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire. Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized by him: but John refused Him, saying,
And Jesus answering said unto him, Permit it now; for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness.
he sent two of his disciples to ask Him, Art thou He who was to come, or are we to expect another?
and, if ye are willing to receive the truth, This is that Elias who was to come.
But if we say, of men, we fear the people, for they all esteem John as a prophet.
The beginning of the gospel of JESUS CHRIST the Son of GOD. As it is written in the prophets, "Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, who shall prepare thy way before thee:" read more. and again, "The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight:" accordingly John came baptizing in the wilderness, and preaching the baptism of repentance in order to the remission of sins;
and preaching the baptism of repentance in order to the remission of sins; and all the country of Judea, and those of Jerusalem, went out to him, and were all baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. read more. And John was clothed with camels hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins, and he lived upon locusts and wild honey: and he preached, saying, There cometh after me one mightier than I, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop and unloose. I indeed have baptized you with water, but He will baptize you with the holy Spirit.
I indeed have baptized you with water, but He will baptize you with the holy Spirit. And in those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized by John in Jordan:
And king Herod heard of Him, (for his name was spread abroad,) and he said, John the baptist is risen from the dead, and therefore miraculous powers appear in him.
For John had said to Herod, it is not lawful for thee to have thy brother's wife.
But I tell you, that Elias is come, and they have done to him whatever they would, as it is written of him.
but if we should say, from men --- they feared the people: (for they they all thought that John was a prophet indeed:)
There was in the days of Herod king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia; and his wife was of the family of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth.
And they had no child, for Elisabeth was barren; and they were both far advanced in years.
but the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias; for thy prayer is heard, and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John:
and he shall drink neither wine nor any other strong liquor; and he shall be filled with the holy Spirit even from his birth;
And he shall go before Him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers unto the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to prepare for the Lord a people well-disposed.
thy cousin Elisabeth also hath conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month with her that was called barren;
Then Mary arose and went with speed into the hill-country, to a city of Juda,
And the child grew, and became strong in spirit: and he was in the deserts till the time of his being manifested to Israel.
Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Cesar, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of Iturea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene, Annas and Caiaphas being high priests, the word of God came unto John the Son of Zacharias in the wilderness:
and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene, Annas and Caiaphas being high priests, the word of God came unto John the Son of Zacharias in the wilderness: and he went into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance in order to the remission of sins;
and he went into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance in order to the remission of sins; as it is written in the book of Esaias the prophet, saying, "The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight: read more. every valley shall be raised, and every mountain and hill shall be lowered, and the crooked ways shall be made straight, and the rough ways smooth: and all men shall see the salvation of God." Therefore said he to the multitudes that came to be baptised by him, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth therefore fruits becoming penitents, and do not say within yourselves, "We have Abraham for our father," for I tell you that God can of these stones raise up children to Abraham.
Bring forth therefore fruits becoming penitents, and do not say within yourselves, "We have Abraham for our father," for I tell you that God can of these stones raise up children to Abraham.
Bring forth therefore fruits becoming penitents, and do not say within yourselves, "We have Abraham for our father," for I tell you that God can of these stones raise up children to Abraham. And now the ax is laid to the root of the trees: every tree therefore which doth not yield good fruit, is cut down and cast into the fire.
And now the ax is laid to the root of the trees: every tree therefore which doth not yield good fruit, is cut down and cast into the fire. And the people asked him, saying, What shall we do then? read more. And he saith unto them, Let him that hath two coats, give one to him that hath none, and let him that hath food do the like. And there came publicans to be baptized, and said unto him, Master, what shall we do? And He said unto them, Exact no more than what is appointed you. And the soldiers also asked him, saying, And what shall we do? and He said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely, and be content with your pay. Now as the people were in suspense, and were all thinking in their hearts concerning John, whether he were the Christ or not, John answered and said to them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but a mightier than I is coming, whose shoes I am not worthy to untie: He will baptize you with the holy Spirit, and with fire; whose fan is in his hand, and He will thoroughly cleanse his floor, and will gather the wheat into his granary, but will burn up the chaff in unquenchable fire.
whose fan is in his hand, and He will thoroughly cleanse his floor, and will gather the wheat into his granary, but will burn up the chaff in unquenchable fire. And many other things by way of exhortation did he preach unto the people. read more. But Herod the tetrarch being reproved by him on account of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, and for all the wicked things which Herod did, added this likewise to all the rest, that he shut up John in prison. Now, when all the people were baptized, and Jesus was baptized and praying,
but if we say, Of men, the people will all stone us: for they are persuaded that John was a prophet.
this man came for witness, that he might testify concerning the light, that through him all might believe.
Of Him did John bare witness, and publicly declared, saying, This was He of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me; for He was before me. And of his fulness have we all received, even grace for grace. read more. For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ: and though no one hath ever seen God, or can see Him: yet the only-begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, hath made Him known. And this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent from Jerusalem priests and Levites to ask him, Who art thou? he confessed, and denied not; but declared openly, I am not the Christ. And they asked him, What then? art thou Elias? And he said, I am not. Art thou a prophet? and he answered, No.
And they asked him, What then? art thou Elias? And he said, I am not. Art thou a prophet? and he answered, No. Therefore said they unto him, Who art thou? that we may give an answer to them that sent us: What dost thou say of thy self? read more. and he said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, "Make straight the way of the Lord," according to Esaias the prophet.
and he said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, "Make straight the way of the Lord," according to Esaias the prophet. Now they that were sent, were of the pharisees: read more. and they asked him, and said to him, Why then dost thou baptize, if thou art not the Christ, nor Elias, nor a prophet?
and they asked him, and said to him, Why then dost thou baptize, if thou art not the Christ, nor Elias, nor a prophet? John answered them, saying, I baptize with water: but there standeth one among you, whom ye know not; read more. that cometh after me, but is preferred before me, the latchet of whose shoe I am not worthy to unloose. These things passed at Bethabara beyond Jordan, where John was baptizing. The next day John seeth Jesus coming towards him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world.
The next day John seeth Jesus coming towards him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world.
The next day John seeth Jesus coming towards him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world. This is He of whom I said, After me cometh a man, who is preferred before me: for He was before me. read more. And I knew Him not: but therefore came I baptizing with water, that He might be made known to Israel. And John testified saying, I saw the Spirit descending like a dove from heaven, and it abode upon Him. And I knew Him not: but He that sent me to baptize with water, said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending and abiding on Him, the same is he that baptizeth with the Holy Spirit. And I saw it, and therefore testified that this is the Son of God.
He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, who standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth with great joy at the bridegroom's voice. Therefore my joy is complete.
to the place where John was at first baptizing, and there He abode.
Who had been instructed in the way of our Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he spake and taught clearly the things of the Lord, though he knew only the baptism of John.
And he said unto them, Into what then were ye baptized? And they said, Into the baptism of John.
And therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace, that so the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but also to that which is of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all,
Nor because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children of promise: but "in Isaac shall thy seed be called."
Now we, brethren, like Isaac, are children of the 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.
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Now in those days came John the baptist preaching in the desert part of Judea, and saying, Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand: read more. for this is He who was spoken of by Esaias the prophet, saying, The voice of one crying in the desert, "Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight." And this John had his clothes of camels hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins, and his food was locusts and wild honey. Then went, out to him Jerusalem, and all Judea, and all the country about Jordan, and they were baptized by him in Jordan, confessing their sins. But when he saw many of the pharisees and sadducees coming to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
For I assure you that in the whole human race there hath not risen a greater than John the baptist: though the lest in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he: and from the days of John the baptist to this time, the kingdom of heaven is as it were forced into, and the most pressing seize upon it with eagerness. read more. For all the prophets, and the law, did no more than prophesy, till John came: and, if ye are willing to receive the truth, This is that Elias who was to come.
And king Herod heard of Him, (for his name was spread abroad,) and he said, John the baptist is risen from the dead, and therefore miraculous powers appear in him. Others said, it is Elias: and others said, it is a prophet, or like one of the prophets. read more. But when Herod heard of Him, he said, it is John whom I beheaded, he is risen from the dead. For Herod had sent and seized John, and bound him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, because he had married her: For John had said to Herod, it is not lawful for thee to have thy brother's wife. Wherefore Herodias persecuted him, and would have taken away his life: but could not; for Herod revered John, knowing him to be a just and holy man, and protected him: and when he heard him he did many things according to John's instructions, and heard him willingly. But a convenient day happening, when Herod on his birth-night gave a supper to his lords, and chief officers, and persons of distinction in Galilee; and the daughter of Herodias coming in, and dancing, and having pleased Herod and his guests, the king said to the young princess, Ask of me whatever thou wilt, and I will give it thee. And he gave her his oath too, whatever thou shalt ask of me, I will give it thee, even to the half of my kingdom. And she withdrew and consulted her mother, what to ask: and she said, The head of John the baptist. And immediately she came in again with eagerness to the king, and said, I desire that thou wouldst give me directly the head of John the baptist in a dish. And the king was exceedingly grieved, but on account of his oath, and those who were at table with him, he would not refuse her: but immediately sent one of his guard, and ordered his head to be brought: and he went and beheaded him in the prison, and brought his head in a dish, and gave it to the damsel, and the damsel carried it to her mother. And his disciples hearing of it, came and took up his corpse, and laid it in a sepulchre.
But I tell you, that Elias is come, and they have done to him whatever they would, as it is written of him.
And the child grew, and became strong in spirit: and he was in the deserts till the time of his being manifested to Israel.
and sent them to Jesus, saying, Art thou He that was to come, or are we to expect another? And the men came to Him, and said, John the baptist hath sent us unto thee, saying, Art thou He that was to come, or are we to expect another? read more. (Now at that very time He cured many of their diseases and plagues, and of evil spirits, and gave sight to many that were blind.) And Jesus answering said unto them, Go and tell John what ye have seen and heard: that the blind recover sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the gospel preached to them, and happy is he who shall not be offended at any thing in me.
And this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent from Jerusalem priests and Levites to ask him, Who art thou? he confessed, and denied not; but declared openly, I am not the Christ. read more. And they asked him, What then? art thou Elias? And he said, I am not. Art thou a prophet? and he answered, No.
And they asked him, What then? art thou Elias? And he said, I am not. Art thou a prophet? and he answered, No. Therefore said they unto him, Who art thou? that we may give an answer to them that sent us: What dost thou say of thy self? read more. and he said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, "Make straight the way of the Lord," according to Esaias the prophet.
Now Andrew the brother of Simon Peter, was one of the two that heard what John said, and thereupon followed Jesus.
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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Then went, out to him Jerusalem, and all Judea, and all the country about Jordan,
Then also come to Him the disciples of John, saying, Why do we and the pharisees fast much, but thy disciples do not fast?
There was in the days of Herod king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia; and his wife was of the family of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth.
and he shall drink neither wine nor any other strong liquor; and he shall be filled with the holy Spirit even from his birth;
But Herod the tetrarch being reproved by him on account of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, and for all the wicked things which Herod did,
And they said unto Him, Why do the disciples of John frequently fast and pray, and likewise those of the pharisees; but thine eat and drink?
And as He was praying in a certain retired place, as soon as He had done, one of his disciples said to Him, Lord, teach us to pray as John also taught his disciples.
And John also was baptizing in Enon near Salim; because there was much water there: and people came to him and were baptized.
Therefore when the Lord knew, the pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John,
And he said unto them, Into what then were ye baptized? And they said, Into the baptism of John.
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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And this John had his clothes of camels hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins, and his food was locusts and wild honey.
and, if ye are willing to receive the truth, This is that Elias who was to come.
And after six days, Jesus taketh Peter, and James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up to a high mountain apart; and was transfigured before them: and his face shone like the sun, and his raiment became white as the light.
Then went Jesus with them to a place called Gethsemane, and saith to the disciples, Sit here, while I go there and pray: and having taken with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, He began to be sorrowful and much distressed;
and He suffered none to go along with Him, but 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 by themselves to a high mountain apart; and was transfigured before them:
And as He was sitting on the mount of Olives over against the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked Him privately,
And they came to a place called Gethsemane, and He saith to his disciples, Sit here whilst I go and pray. And He taketh Peter and James and John with Him, and He began to be overwhelmed with terror and anguish.
Now the Lord, after He had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.
There was in the days of Herod king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia; and his wife was of the family of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth. And they were both righteous in the sight of God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. read more. And they had no child, for Elisabeth was barren; and they were both far advanced in years. And it came to pass, while he was in the order of his course performing the priest's office before God, according to the custom of dividing the office of the priests, that it fell to his lot to burn incense, entring into the temple of the Lord: and all the people were praying without at the time of offering incense. And there appeared to him an angel of the Lord standing on the right hand of the altar of incense. And when Zacharias saw him, he was startled and struck with fear: but the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias; for thy prayer is heard, and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John: and he shall be a joy and transport to thee, yea, many shall rejoice on account of his birth; for he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and he shall drink neither wine nor any other strong liquor; and he shall be filled with the holy Spirit even from his birth;
And the child grew, and became strong in spirit: and he was in the deserts till the time of his being manifested to Israel.
And when He came to the house, He suffered none to go in but Peter, and James, and John, and the father and mother of the child.
About eight days after these discourses, He took Peter, and John, and James, and went up to a mountain to pray.
And while He was blessing them, He was parted from them, and was carried up into heaven.
Simon Peter therefore beckoned to him to ask, who it was concerning whom He spake.
Jesus therefore seeing his mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, saith to his mother, Woman, behold thy son: and then saith to the disciple, Behold thy mother. And from that hour the same disciple took her to his own home.
but one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and immediately there came out blood and water. And he that saw it testifieth it, and his testimony is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye may believe.
For they did not before understand the scripture, that He must rise from the dead.
And while they were speaking to the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the sadducees came upon them,
Then the high priest rose up, and all that were with him, (being of the sect of the sadducees,) and were filled with rage: and laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the public prison.
Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John: who when they were come down prayed for them that they might receive the holy Spirit: (for He was not yet fallen upon any of them,
Who had been instructed in the way of our Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he spake and taught clearly the things of the Lord, though he knew only the baptism of John.
Now it came to pass while Apollos was at Corinth, that Paul having passed through the upper parts of Asia came to Ephesus:
But whosoever keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: and by this we know that we are in Him.
Brethren, I write not a new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning: the old commandment is the word which ye have heard from the beginning:
Now he that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is still in darkness: whereas, he that loveth his brother, abideth in the light, and is in no danger of stumbling. read more. But he, that hateth his brother, is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not where he goeth, because the darkness hath blinded his eyes.
Love not the world, nor the things that are in the world; for if any one love the world to excess, the love of the Father is not in him.
Behold then what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the children of God: though for this reason the world knoweth us not, because it knew not Him.
for this is the injunction which ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another: not as Cain who was of the evil one, and slew his brother; and why did he slay him? because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous.
since we know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren: he, that loveth not his brother, remaineth in death. Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him. read more. In this we know his love, that He laid down his life for us: and we should be ready to lay down our lives for the brethren. But if any one, who hath the good things of the world, seeth his brother in want, and shutteth up his bowels from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? My little children, let us not love in word, or in tongue only, but in deed and in truth.
And this is his commandment, that we should believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as He hath given us a charge to do.
Beloved, let us love one another: for love is from God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He, that loveth not, knoweth not God: for God is love. read more. In this was the love of God manifested towards us, that God sent his only-begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. Herein is love; not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent his Son to be a propitiation for our sins.
No one hath ever seen God: but if we love one another, God dwelleth in us and his love is perfected in us.
And we have known and believed the love which God hath towards us: for God is love; and he, that dwelleth in love, dwelleth in God, and God in him. Herein is love perfected with us, that we may have boldness in the day of judgement; for as He is, we also are in this world. read more. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear; because fear hath torment; but he that feareth is not perfected in love. We love Him, because He first loved us. If any one say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for how can he, that loveth not his brother, whom he hath seen, love God whom he hath not seen? And we have this commandment from Him, that he, who loveth God, should love his brother also.
Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one, that loveth Him that begat, loveth Him also that is begotten of Him: and in this we know that we love the children of God, since we love God and keep his commandments. read more. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.
I rejoiced greatly that I found among thy children such as walked in truth, as we received commandment from the Father.
The children of thy elect sister salute thee. Amen.
For I greatly rejoiced, when the brethren came, and bore testimony to thy truth, even as thou walkest in truth. And I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in the truth. read more. Beloved, thou actest faithfully in whatsoever service thou dost to the brethren, and to strangers too; who have borne witness to thy love before the church: whom thou wilt do well in forwarding, as is worthy of God. For they went forth for his name's sake, taking nothing of the gentiles. We ought therefore to receive such, that we may become fellow-laborers in the truth. I wrote to the church: but Diotrephes, who affects the pre-eminence among them, doth not receive us.
A good testimony is borne to Demetrius by all men, and by the truth itself: yea, and we also bear him like witness, and ye know that our testimony is true. I had many things to write: but I would not write to thee with pen and ink; read more. for I hope to see thee soon, and we shall speak mouth to mouth. (15) Peace be to thee. Our friends salute thee. Salute the friends by name.
for I hope to see thee soon, and we shall speak mouth to mouth. (15) Peace be to thee. Our friends salute thee. Salute the friends by name.
I John, who am also your brother, and companion in the affliction, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the island called Patmos, for the sake of the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.