And when she and her household were baptized, she begged us, saying, " If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay. " So she persuaded us.

1. We are not given the details of the message. It was the gospel.

2. She was ready to accept. She was ready to obey. She was baptized.

3. Her household - There are a few theories on who is included:

1. Since she is traveling, some have suggested that this is not her literal family (husband and children) but rather, her household would be those who travel with her to assist her in her making and selling her goods.

2. Others suggest that probably there was not husband (because he is not mentioned) but that her family (children) are with her.

3. One ancient version says that she was baptized along with "all her men" - implying the servants who tend the animals and cart, and other servants with her.

4. It is clear that whoever was included in the "household" it does not mean that infants were baptized. Those who were baptized - were ready to hear and believe.

5. B. W. Johnson comments, "Some have held that this implies the baptism of infants. It rather implies that her servants and friends also accepted the gospel. There is no ground for the inference that she was even married, or had children."

Continues after advertising
Continues after advertising

Old Testament