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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In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, saying, Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. read more. For this is he that was spoken of through Isaiah the prophet, saying, "The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths!"
For this is he that was spoken of through Isaiah the prophet, saying, "The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths!" And John himself had his raiment 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 Judaea, and all the country about the Jordan;
Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the country about the Jordan; and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. read more. But seeing many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to be baptized, he said to them, Brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Bring forth therefore fruit worthy of repentance, and think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham for our father; for I say to you, that God is able out of these stones to raise up children to Abraham. And already is the axe lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that beareth not good fruit is to be cut down, and cast into the fire. I indeed baptize you in water, for repentance; but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to bear; he will baptize you in the Holy Spirit and in fire. His winnowingshovel is in his hand, and he will thoroughly cleanse his threshingfloor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but the chaff he will burn up with unquenchable fire.
And Jesus answering said to him, Suffer it now; for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness. Then he suffered him.
For Herod had seized John, and bound him, and put him in prison, on account of Herodias, his brother Philips wife. For John said to him, It is not lawful for thee to have her. read more. And wishing to put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they regarded him as a prophet. But when Herods birthday was kept, the daughter of Herodias danced before them, and pleased Herod; whereupon he promised with an oath to give her whatever she might ask. And she, being set on by her mother, saith, Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist. And the king was sorry; but on account of his oaths, and of those at table with him, he ordered it to be given, and sent and beheaded John in the prison. And his head was brought on a platter, and given to the damsel; and she brought it to her mother. And his disciples came and took up the body, and buried it, and went and told Jesus.
There was in the days of Herod, king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zachariah, of the course of Abijah; and he had a wife of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth.
For he will be great in the sight of the Lord; and will drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit from his very birth.
And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue was loosed; and he spoke, blessing God.
And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit; and was in the deserts till the day of his manifestation to Israel.
Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance; and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham for our father; for I say to you, that God is able out of these stones to raise up children to Abraham.
But Herod the tetrarch, being reproved by him on account of Herodias the wife of his brother, and on account of all the evil deeds which Herod had done,
He was the burning and shining lamp: and ye were willing for a season to rejoice 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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saying, Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the country about the Jordan;
I indeed baptize you in water, for repentance; but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to bear; he will baptize you in the Holy Spirit and in fire. His winnowingshovel is in his hand, and he will thoroughly cleanse his threshingfloor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but the chaff he will burn up with unquenchable fire.
And John, having heard in the prison of the works of Christ, sent by his disciples,
But Jesus, knowing it, withdrew from thence; and many followed him; and he healed them all, and strictly charged them not to make him known; read more. that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through Isaiah the prophet, saying, "Behold my servant, whom I chose; my beloved, with whom my soul is well pleased; I will put my Spirit upon him, and he will declare judgment to the nations. He will not strive, nor cry aloud, nor will any one hear his voice in the streets. A bruised reed he will not break, and smoking flax he will not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory. And in his name will nations hope."
Jerusalem, Jerusalem, that killeth the prophets, and stoneth those who are sent to her! How often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! Lo! your house is left to you desolate. read more. For I say to you, Ye will not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.
But after John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the glad tidings of God,
And lo! Elizabeth, thy kinswoman, she also hath conceived a son in her old age; and this is the sixth month with her who is called barren.
And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit; and was in the deserts till the day of his manifestation to Israel.
when Annas and Caiaphas were highpriests, the word of God came to John, the son of Zachariah, in the wilderness.
And while the people were in expectation, and all were considering in their hearts concerning John, whether he were the Christ,
And they said to him, The disciples of John fast often, and make prayers, and likewise those of the Pharisees; but thine eat and drink. But Jesus said to them, Can ye make the companions of the bridegroom fast while the bridegroom is with them? read more. But the days will comeand when the bridegroom is taken from them, then will they fast in those days. And he spoke also a parable to them: No one taketh a patch from a new garment and putteth it upon an old one; for then both the new garment would be rent, and the patch from the new garment would not match with the old. And no one putteth new wine into old skins; for the new wine would burst the skins, and would itself run out, and the skins would be spoilt. But new wine must be put into new skins.
I say to you, Among those born of women there is no greater prophet than John; but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.
And it came to pass, as he was in a certain place praying, that when he ceased one of his disciples said to him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.
And this is the witness of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem, to ask him, Who art thou? And he declared, and did not deny; and he declared, I am not the Christ. read more. And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elijah? And he said, I am not. Art thou the prophet? And he answered, No. They said therefore to him, Who art thou? that we may give an answer to those who sent us; what sayest thou of thyself? He said, I am "a voice of one crying aloud in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord," as said Isaiah the prophet.
This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man, who hath gone before me; for he was before me. And I knew him not; but that he might be made manifest to Israel, therefore I came baptizing in water. read more. And John bore witness, saying, I have seen the Spirit descending as a dove from heaven, and it abode upon him. And I knew him not; but he who sent me to baptize in water, the same said to me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending and abiding on him, he it is that baptizeth in the Holy Spirit. And I have seen and have borne witness, that this is the Son of God. On the morrow John was again standing, and two of his disciples;
And John also was baptizing in Aenon, near Salim, because there was much water there; and they came, and were baptized. For John was not yet thrown into prison. read more. Then there arose a question on the part of Johns disciples with a Jew about purifying. And they came to John, and said to him, Rabbi, he who was with thee beyond the Jordan, to whom thou hast borne witness, behold, he baptizeth, and all men are going to him. John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, unless it be given him from heaven. Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I was sent before that man. He that hath the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegrooms voice. This my joy then hath become full. He must increase, but I must decrease. He that cometh from above is above all. He that is from the earth is earthly, and speaketh earthly things; he that cometh from heaven testifieth what he hath seen and heard; and no one receiveth his testimony. He that hath received his testimony hath set his seal that God is true. For he whom God sent speaketh the words of God; for he giveth not the Spirit by measure. The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand. He that believeth in the Son hath everlasting life; and he that disobeyeth the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him.
When therefore Jesus knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John, (though Jesus himself did not baptize, but his disciples,)
They answered and said to him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith to them, If ye were Abrahams children, ye would do the works of Abraham.
And many came to him, and said, John indeed wrought no sign; but everything that John said of this man was true.
And he said, Into what then were ye baptized? And they said, Into Johns baptism.
And be not drunk with wine, in which is dissoluteness, 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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In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, saying, Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
saying, Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. For this is he that was spoken of through Isaiah the prophet, saying, "The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths!" read more. And John himself had his raiment of camels hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his food was locusts and wild honey.
And John himself had his raiment 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 Judaea, and all the country about the Jordan;
Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the country about the Jordan; and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.
and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. But seeing many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to be baptized, he said to them, Brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? read more. Bring forth therefore fruit worthy of repentance, and think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham for our father; for I say to you, that God is able out of these stones to raise up children to Abraham.
and think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham for our father; for I say to you, that God is able out of these stones to raise up children to Abraham. And already is the axe lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that beareth not good fruit is to be cut down, and cast into the fire. read more. I indeed baptize you in water, for repentance; but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to bear; he will baptize you in the Holy Spirit and in fire. His winnowingshovel is in his hand, and he will thoroughly cleanse his threshingfloor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but the chaff he will burn up with unquenchable fire. Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him.
And Jesus answering said to him, Suffer it now; for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness. Then he suffered him.
and said to him, Art thou he that is to come, or are we to look for another?
And if ye are willing to receive it, he is the Elijah who was to come.
But if we say, From men, we fear the multitude; for all regard John as a prophet.
The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ; as it is written in Isaiah the prophet: "Lo! I send my messenger before thy face, who shall prepare thy way;" read more. "The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths!" John the Baptizer appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.
John the Baptizer appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. And there went out to him all the country of Judaea, and all they of Jerusalem and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. read more. And John was clothed with camels hair, and with a leathern girdle about his loins, and he ate locusts and wild honey. And he preached, saying, There cometh after me one mightier than I, the latchet of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and loose. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you in the Holy Spirit.
I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you in the Holy Spirit. And it came to pass that in those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized by John in the Jordan.
And king Herod heard of him (for his name was spread abroad), and he said, John the Baptizer hath risen from the dead, and therefore do these powers work in him. But others said, It is Elijah.
For John had said to Herod, It is not lawful for thee to have thy brothers wife.
But I say to you that Elijah hath come, and they have done to him whatever they would; as it hath been written concerning him.
But shall we say, From men? They feared the people; for all regarded John as truly a prophet.
There was in the days of Herod, king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zachariah, of the course of Abijah; and he had a wife of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth.
And they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both far advanced in years.
But the angel said to him, Fear not, Zachariah; for thy prayer was heard, and thy wife Elizabeth shall bear thee a son; and thou shalt call his name John.
For he will be great in the sight of the Lord; and will drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit from his very birth.
And he will go before his face in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of fathers to children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous, to make ready for the Lord a prepared people.
And lo! Elizabeth, thy kinswoman, she also hath conceived a son in her old age; and this is the sixth month with her who is called barren.
And Mary arose and went in those days into the hillcountry with haste, into a city of Judah.
And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit; and was in the deserts till the day of his manifestation to Israel.
Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judaea, and Herod tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of Ituraea and of the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene, when Annas and Caiaphas were highpriests, the word of God came to John, the son of Zachariah, in the wilderness.
when Annas and Caiaphas were highpriests, the word of God came to John, the son of Zachariah, in the wilderness. And he came into all the country about the Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins;
And he came into all the country about the Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins; as it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet: "The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths! read more. Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be made low; and the crooked places shall be made straight, and the rough ways smooth; and all flesh shall see the salvation of God." He said therefore to the multitudes that came forth to be baptized by him, Brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance; and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham for our father; for I say to you, that God is able out of these stones to raise up children to Abraham.
Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance; and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham for our father; for I say to you, that God is able out of these stones to raise up children to Abraham.
Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance; and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham for our father; for I say to you, that God is able out of these stones to raise up children to Abraham. And already also is the axe lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that beareth not good fruit is to be cut down, and cast into the fire.
And already also is the axe lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that beareth not good fruit is to be cut down, and cast into the fire. And the multitudes asked him, saying, What then must we do? read more. He answered and said to them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath food, let him do likewise. And there came also publicans to be baptized, and said to him, Teacher, what must we do? And he said to them, Exact no more than hath been ordered you. And soldiers also asked him, saying, And what must we do? And he said to them, Do violence to no one, accuse no one falsely, and be content with your wages. And while the people were in expectation, and all were considering in their hearts concerning John, whether he were the Christ, John answered and said to them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but he who is mightier than I is coming, the latchet of whose sandals I am not worthy to loose; he will baptize you in the Holy Spirit and in fire. His winnowingshovel is in his hand to thoroughly cleanse his threshingfloor, and gather the wheat into his garner; but the chaff he will burn up with unquenchable fire.
His winnowingshovel is in his hand to thoroughly cleanse his threshingfloor, and gather the wheat into his garner; but the chaff he will burn up with unquenchable fire. And giving many other exhortations he published the glad tidings to the people. read more. But Herod the tetrarch, being reproved by him on account of Herodias the wife of his brother, and on account of all the evil deeds which Herod had done, added this also to them all, that he shut up John in prison. And it came to pass, when all the people had been baptized, and Jesus also had been baptized, and was praying, that the heaven was opened,
But if we say, From men, all the people will stone us; for they are persuaded that John was a prophet.
He came as a witness, to bear witness of the light, that through him all might believe.
John beareth witness of him, and crieth, saying, This was he of whom I said, He that cometh after me hath gone before me; for he was before me. For out of his fullness have we all received, and grace upon grace. read more. For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one hath ever seen God; the only begotten God, who is in the bosom of the Father, he hath made him known. And this is the witness of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem, to ask him, Who art thou? And he declared, and did not deny; and he declared, I am not the Christ. And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elijah? And he said, I am not. Art thou the prophet? And he answered, No.
And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elijah? And he said, I am not. Art thou the prophet? And he answered, No. They said therefore to him, Who art thou? that we may give an answer to those who sent us; what sayest thou of thyself? read more. He said, I am "a voice of one crying aloud in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord," as said Isaiah the prophet.
He said, I am "a voice of one crying aloud in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord," as said Isaiah the prophet. And they were sent from the Pharisees; read more. and they asked him and said to him, Why then dost thou baptize, if thou art not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the prophet?
and they asked him and said to him, Why then dost thou baptize, if thou art not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the prophet? John answered them, saying, I baptize in water. There standeth one among you whom ye know not, read more. he who cometh after me, the latchet of whose sandal I am not worthy to loose. These things took place in Bethany beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing. The next day he seeth Jesus coming to him, and saith, Behold, the Lamb of God, who taketh away the sin of the world!
The next day he seeth Jesus coming to him, and saith, Behold, the Lamb of God, who taketh away the sin of the world!
The next day he seeth Jesus coming to him, and saith, Behold, 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 hath gone before me; for he was before me. read more. And I knew him not; but that he might be made manifest to Israel, therefore I came baptizing in water. And John bore witness, saying, I have seen the Spirit descending as a dove from heaven, and it abode upon him. And I knew him not; but he who sent me to baptize in water, the same said to me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending and abiding on him, he it is that baptizeth in the Holy Spirit. And I have seen and have borne witness, 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 greatly because of the bridegrooms voice. This my joy then hath become full.
And he went away again beyond the Jordan, to the place where John was at first baptizing; and there he abode.
This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught correctly the things concerning Jesus, knowing only the baptism of John.
And he said, Into what then were ye baptized? And they said, Into Johns baptism.
Therefore the inheritance was made to depend on faith, that it might be a matter of grace; that the promise might be sure to all the offspring, not to that only which is under the Law, but to that also which hath the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all
nor because they are descendants of Abraham are they all children; but, "Thy offspring shall be reckoned from Isaac."
But ye, brethren, as Isaac was, 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.
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In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, saying, Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. read more. For this is he that was spoken of through Isaiah the prophet, saying, "The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths!" And John himself had his raiment 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 Judaea, and all the country about the Jordan; and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. But seeing many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to be baptized, he said to them, Brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?
Truly do I say to you, Among those born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist. But he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. And from the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent seize upon it. read more. For all the Prophets and the Law, until John, prophesied. And if ye are willing to receive it, he is the Elijah who was to come.
And king Herod heard of him (for his name was spread abroad), and he said, John the Baptizer hath risen from the dead, and therefore do these powers work in him. But others said, It is Elijah. And others said, It is a prophet, as one of the prophets. read more. But Herod hearing of it said, John, whom I beheaded, hath risen again. For Herod himself had sent forth and seized John, and bound him in prison, on account of Herodias, his brother Philips wife; for he had married her. For John had said to Herod, It is not lawful for thee to have thy brothers wife. And Herodias was enraged against him, and wished to put him to death, but could not. For Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and was regardful of him; and on hearing him, was in much anxiety, and listened to him gladly. And a convenient day having come, when Herod on his birthday made a supper for his nobles and chief captains and the principal men of Galilee, and the daughter of Herodias came in and danced, she pleased Herod and those at table with him; and the king said to the damsel, Ask of me whatever thou wilt, and I will give it thee. And he swore to her, Whatever thou shalt ask of me, I will give thee, to the half of my kingdom. And she went out and said to her mother, What shall I ask? And she said, The head of John the Baptizer. And she came in immediately with haste to the king, and asked, saying, I desire that thou wilt give me immediately on a platter the head of John the Baptist. And the king was exceedingly sorry; but on account of his oaths, and of those at table with him, he would not refuse her. And the king immediately sent one of his guards, and ordered his head to be brought. And he went and beheaded him in the prison, and brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the damsel; and the damsel gave it to her mother. And his disciples, when they heard of it, came and took up his body, and laid it in a tomb.
But I say to you that Elijah hath come, and they have done to him whatever they would; as it hath been written concerning him.
And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit; and was in the deserts till the day of his manifestation to Israel.
And calling to him two of his disciples, John sent them to the Lord, saying, Art thou he that is to come, or are we to look for another? And the men came to him and said, John the Baptist hath sent us to thee, saying, Art thou he that is to come, or are we to look for another? read more. In that hour he cured many of diseases, and plagues, and evil spirits, and to many who were blind he gave sight. And he answered and said to them, Go and tell John what ye have seen and heard; that the blind receive sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor good tidings are brought; and blessed is he, whoever shall find no occasion of stumbling in me.
And this is the witness of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem, to ask him, Who art thou? And he declared, and did not deny; and he declared, I am not the Christ. read more. And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elijah? And he said, I am not. Art thou the prophet? And he answered, No.
And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elijah? And he said, I am not. Art thou the prophet? And he answered, No. They said therefore to him, Who art thou? that we may give an answer to those who sent us; what sayest thou of thyself? read more. He said, I am "a voice of one crying aloud in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord," as said Isaiah the prophet.
One of the two who heard what John said, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peters brother.
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 Judaea, and all the country about the Jordan;
Then came to him the disciples of John, saying, Why do we and the Pharisees fast, and thy disciples fast not?
There was in the days of Herod, king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zachariah, of the course of Abijah; and he had a wife of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth.
For he will be great in the sight of the Lord; and will drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit from his very birth.
But Herod the tetrarch, being reproved by him on account of Herodias the wife of his brother, and on account of all the evil deeds which Herod had done,
And they said to him, The disciples of John fast often, and make prayers, and likewise those of the Pharisees; but thine eat and drink.
And it came to pass, as he was in a certain place praying, that when he ceased one of his disciples said to him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.
And John also was baptizing in Aenon, near Salim, because there was much water there; and they came, and were baptized.
When therefore Jesus knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John,
And he said, Into what then were ye baptized? And they said, Into Johns baptism.
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 John himself had his raiment 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 it, he is the Elijah who was to come.
And after six days Jesus taketh with him Peter, and James, and John his brother, and leadeth them up into a high mountain apart. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone as the sun; and his garments became white as the light.
Then Jesus cometh with them to a place called Gethsemane, and saith to the disciples, Sit here, while I go yonder and pray. And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to he sorrowful and full of anguish.
And he suffered no one to follow him except Peter and James, and John the brother of James.
And after six days Jesus taketh with him Peter and James and John, and leadeth them up into a high mountain apart by themselves; and he 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 come to a place called Gethsemane; and he saith to his disciples, Sit here, while I pray. And he taketh with him Peter and James and John; and began to be in great consternation and anguish.
So then, the Lord, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven, and sat down on the right hand of God;
There was in the days of Herod, king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zachariah, of the course of Abijah; and he had a wife of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 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, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both far advanced in years. And it came to pass, that, while he was serving as priest before God in the order of his course, according to the custom of the priesthood the lot fell to him to go into the temple of the Lord and burn the incense. And the whole multitude of the people was praying without at the time of the incense. And there appeared to him an angel of the Lord, standing on the right of the altar of incense. And Zachariah was troubled at the sight, and fear fell upon him. But the angel said to him, Fear not, Zachariah; for thy prayer was heard, and thy wife Elizabeth shall bear thee a son; and thou shalt call his name John. And thou wilt have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice for his birth. For he will be great in the sight of the Lord; and will drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit from his very birth.
And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit; and was in the deserts till the day of his manifestation to Israel.
And going into the house, he suffered no one to go in with him but Peter and John and James, and the father of the maiden, and the mother.
And it came to pass about eight days after this discourse, that he took with him Peter and John and James, and went up into the mountain to pray.
And it came to pass, while he blessed them, that he parted from them.
To him therefore Simon Peter maketh a sign, and saith to him, Tell who it is of whom he is speaking.
Jesus therefore, when he saw his mother, and the disciple whom he loved standing by, saith to his mother, Woman, behold thy son! Then he saith to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home.
but one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and immediately there came out blood and water. And he that hath seen hath borne witness, and his witness is true; and he knoweth that he saith what is true, that ye also may believe.
For not even yet did they know 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,
But the highpriest and all that were with him, which is the sect of the Sadducees, rose up and were filled with indignation, and laid hands on the apostles, and put them in the public prison.
And the apostles at Jerusalem, hearing that Samaria had received the word of God, sent to them Peter and John; who, having come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit.
This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught correctly the things concerning Jesus, knowing only the baptism of John.
And it came to pass, while Apollos was at Corinth, that Paul, having passed through the upper districts, came to Ephesus. And finding certain disciples,
But whoever keepeth his word, truly in him is the love of God perfected. Hereby we know that we are in him.
Beloved, I write no new commandment to you, but an old commandment, which ye have had 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 now. He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is no occasion of stumbling in him; read more. but he that hateth his brother is in the darkness, and walketh in the darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because the darkness hath blinded his eyes.
Love not the world, nor the things in the world. If any one loveth the world, the love of the Father is not in him;
Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called children of God l For this cause the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
For this is the message that ye have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another; not as Cain was of the Evil One, and slew his brother. And wherefore did he slay him? Because his own works were evil, and his brothers righteous.
We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brethren; he that loveth not abideth in death. Whoever hateth his brother is a murderer; and ye know that no murderer hath everlasting life abiding in him. read more. Herein we know love, in that he laid down his life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoever hath this worlds goods, and seeth his brother having need, and shutteth up his compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? My children, let us not love in word, nor in tongue, but in deed and in truth.
And this is his commandment, that we should believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and should love one another, as he gave commandment.
Beloved, let us love one another; for love is from God, and every one that loveth hath been born of God, and knoweth God; he that loveth not hath not known God; for God is love. read more. In this was manifested the love of God in regard to us, that God hath sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we may 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. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.
And we have known and believed the love that God hath in regard to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. Herein hath love been perfected with us, that we have confidence in the day of judgment; because as he is, so are we in this world. read more. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casteth out fear; because fear hath torment; and he that feareth is not made perfect in love. We love, because he first loved us. If any one saith, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar; for he that loveth not his brother, whom he hath seen, how can he love God, whom he hath not seen? And this commandment we have from him, that he who loveth God love also his brother.
Whoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ hath been born of God; and every one that loveth him that begat, loveth also him that hath been begotten of him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and do his commandments. read more. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments; and his commandments are not burdensome,
I rejoiced greatly, that I found some of thy children walking in truth, as we received commandment from the Father.
The children of thy elect sister salute thee.
For I rejoiced greatly, when brethren came and bore witness to thy truth, as thou walkest in truth. I have no greater joy than this, to hear that my children walk in the truth. read more. Beloved, thou doest a faithful thing whatever thou doest to the brethren, and that to strangers, who bore witness of thy love before the church; whom if thou send forward on their journey in a manner worthy of God, thou wilt do well. For in behalf of the Name they went forth, taking nothing of the gentiles. We therefore ought to sustain such persons, that we may be fellowworkers for the truth. I wrote something to the church; but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.
To Demetrius testimony hath been borne by all, and by the truth itself; yea, we also bear witness, and ye know that our witness is true. I had many things to write to thee, but I do not wish to write to thee with ink and pen; read more. but I hope to see thee immediately, and we shall speak face to face. Peace be to thee. The friends salute thee. Salute the friends by name.
but I hope to see thee immediately, and we shall speak face to face. Peace be to thee. The friends salute thee. Salute the friends by name.
I John, your brother, and companion in the affliction and kingdom and endurance in Jesus, was in the isle that is called Patmos, on account of the word of God, and the testimony of Jesus.