In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, Ver. 1. _In those days came John the Baptist_] Whom Chrysologus fitly calleth _fibulam legis et gratiae, _ the bond or buckle of both Testaments. He standeth as that angel, with one foot on the sea (the law), and with the o... [ Continue Reading ]
And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Ver. 2. _And saying, Repent ye_] Change your minds now at the preaching of the gospel, as they changed their garments at the promulgation of the law. _a_ "Rend your hearts, and not your garments," plough up the fallows of your hearts; gri... [ Continue Reading ]
For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. Ver. 3. _For this is he which was spoken of_] Whether these be the words of the Baptist or the Evangelist, it appears not, skills not:... [ Continue Reading ]
And the same John had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey. Ver. 4. _And the same John had his raiment of camel's hair_] Suitable to Elias (in whose spirit and power he came), who was thus habited. So those worthies, of whom the... [ Continue Reading ]
Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan, Ver. 5. _Then went out to him Jerusalem_] Hitherto the description of the Baptist: follows now the resort that was made unto him; for by his divine doctrine and austere life he had merited among many to be taken... [ Continue Reading ]
And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins. Ver. 6. _And were baptized of him in Jordan_] Baptizing of proselytes was in use among the Jews before the days of John Baptist. From this custom (saith Broughton, in Dan 9:1-27), though without commandment and of small authority, Christ au... [ Continue Reading ]
But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Ver. 7. _But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees_] Two leading sects among the Jews, but notable hypocrites, yet pressi... [ Continue Reading ]
Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance: Ver. 8. _Bring forth therefore fruits_] _q.d._ You cannot wash your hands in innocence, wash them therefore in tears: there is no way to quench hell flames but by the tears of true repentance; to prevent the wrath to come, but by bearing those fruit... [ Continue Reading ]
And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to _our_ father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. Ver. 9. _And think not to say within yourselves_] Hypocrites are never without their holes of refuge, out of which they must be ferreted.... [ Continue Reading ]
And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Ver. 10. _And now also is the axe laid to the root of the trees_] _q.d._ God is now taking aim where to hit, and how to fell you, as a man layeth h... [ Continue Reading ]
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 bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and _with_ fire: Ver. 11. _I indeed baptize you with water to repentance_] There is a twofold baptism, Hebrews 6:2, the doc... [ Continue Reading ]
Whose fan _is_ in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire. Ver. 12. _Whose fan is in his hand_] Though the devil and wicked men mightily strive to wring it out of his hand; for what, say they, need t... [ Continue Reading ]
Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. Ver. 13. _Then cometh Jesus from Galilee_] Our Saviour came far to seek his baptism. Let not us think much of any pains taken, that we may partake of the ordinances. The Shunammite went (ordinarily) every sabbath and new moo... [ Continue Reading ]
But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? Ver. 14. _But John forbade him_] Flatly forbade him, and kept him out of the water with both hands earnestly; _a_ not out of disobedience, but reverence, though faulty and erroneous. The very best have their ble... [ Continue Reading ]
And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer _it to be so_ now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him. Ver. 15. _Suffer it to be so now_] Or, let be now: for the Baptist seems to have laid hands upon Christ to keep him off. _a_ Our Saviour assents to that John had s... [ Continue Reading ]
And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: Ver. 16. _And Jesus when he was baptized_] Many of the ancients held that the day of Epiphany was the day of... [ Continue Reading ]
And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Ver. 17. _And, lo, a voice from heaven_] Whereupon St Peter foundeth the certainty of Christian faith and doctrine, 2 Peter 1:17, especially since we have a more sure word of prophecy; for that former might have... [ Continue Reading ]