MATTHEW. 17. Preface to MARK. 18. Testimony of John the Baptist John i. 21.] John means that he was not really Elias risen from the dead. But when Jesus says, (Matth. xvii. 12, and xi. 14,) that Elias was come already, he means that John had appeared in the spirit and power of Elias. Luke i. 17. Thus likewise, LUKE. to Jesus. John's Gospel. JOHN. CH. I. 1-18. preferred before me; for he was before me. 16 And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace. 17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. 18 No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him. Bethany beyond Jordan. a CH. I. 19-34. 19 And this is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem, to ask him, Who art thou? 20 And he confessed, and denied not; but confessed, I am not the Christ. 21 And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elias? And he saith, I am not. Art thou that prophet? And he answered, No. 22 Then said they unto him, Who art thou that we may give an answer to them that sent us. What sayest thou of thyself? 23 He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias. 24 And they which were sent were of the Pharisees. 25 And they asked him, and said unto him, Why baptizest thou then, if thou be not that Christ, nor Elias, neither that prophet? 26 John answered them, saying, I baptize with water: but there standeth one among you, whom ye know not. 27 He it is, who coming after me, is preferred before me, whose shoe's latchet I am not worthy to unloose. Is. xl. 3. John here denies that he is one of the ancient prophets again appearing on earth: see Luke ix. 19; with which our Lord's assertion that he was an eminent prophet, Luke vii. 28, seems perfectly consistent. NEWCOME. 35 Again the next day after, John stood, and two of his disciples; 36 And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God! 37 And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. 38 Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? They said unto him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest thou? 39 He saith unto them, Come and see. They came and saw where he dwelt, and abode with him that day: for it was about the tenth hour. 40 One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. 41 He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias; which is, being interpreted, the Christ. 19. Jesus gains MATTHEW. ᎷᎪᎡᏦ. John i. 42.] Kings and princes very often changed the names of those who held offices under them, particularly when they first attracted their notice and were taken into their employ; and when subsequently they were elevated to some new station, and crowned with additional honors. Gen. xli. 45; and xvii. 5; and xxxii. 28; and xxxv. 10; 2 Kin. xxiii. 34, 35; and xxiv. 17; Dan. i. 6. Hence a name (a new name) occurs tropically, as a token of honor, in Phil. ii. 9; Heb. i. 4; Rev. ii. 17. See also Mark iii. 17. JAHN's Archæol. § 164. |