Thematic Bible: Jesus discourses upon


Thematic Bible



As they departed, Jesus said to the people, speaking of John, what did ye go to see in the desert? a reed shaken with the wind? what did ye go to see? a man dress'd in rich apparel? why, they that are so array'd belong to the court: or did you go to see a prophet? yes, and be assured, one superiour to a prophet. read more.
for it is he that is meant in that passage, "behold, I send my messenger before thy face, who shall prepare thy way before thee." I declare unto you, among the whole race of prophets, there never appear'd a greater than John the Baptist: (notwithstanding, he that is least in the kingdom of the Messiah is greater than he.) for ever since the appearance of John the Baptist the gospel kingdom is as it were invaded, and people of the most violent passions enter into it with zeal. for all the prophets and the law were your guides, till the coming of John. and if ye will believe me, he is the Elias that was to come. he that hath ears to hear, let him hear. but to what shall I compare this generation? they are like children sitting in the markets, and calling out to their fellows, "if we play a merry tune, you are not for dancing; if we act a mournful part, you are not in the humour." so John came with fasting and abstinence, and they say, he is mad. the son of man does not abstain from eating and drinking, and they cry there's a glutton, and a sot, a friend of publicans and sinners: "but wisdom is justified by her children."

When the messengers of John were departed, he address'd himself to the people, and said with relation to John, what did you go to see in the desart? a reed shaken with the wind? or did you go to see a man richly apparelled? for magnificent dress and splendid living, you must look into the courts of princes. what then did you go to see? a prophet? yes, I say it, and more than a prophet. read more.
he it is, of whom it is written, "behold, I send my messenger before you, who shall prepare the way for you." I declare unto you, among the whole race of mankind, there is not a prophet, who is superiour to John the Baptist: yet he that is most inferiour in the kingdom of the Messiah, is greater than he. all the people, even the publicans, upon hearing him, gave glory to God, by receiving the baptism of John; but the Pharisees and the doctors of the law rejected the divine offers made to them, refusing to be baptized by John. To what therefore shall I compare the men of this generation? who are they like? they are like children playing together in the street, who cry, we have play'd to you on the flute, but you have not danced: we have sung mournful dittys, but you have not lamented. for John the Baptist, when he came, abstain'd from bread and wine; yet you say, he is possess'd with a demon.