#15 John Preaches and Baptizes
Please First Read:
John 1:19-28
Matthew, Mark,
Luke as noted herein
The
entire Jewish nation had long been waiting in anticipation for the Messiah and
his Elias (forerunner) to come. When John the Baptist (JB) began preaching and
warning that this was now beginning to take place, large numbers of people came
to see. It was said that Jerusalem and all Judea were going out to see and hear
him. Converts are being baptized in increasing numbers and throngs of Jews are
following John.
This
quickly comes to the attention of the leaders of the great Sanhedrin, and they
send their priests and Levites to investigate, question, and test JB as to who
he is and why he is doing this. There
has been no authorization or preapproval given by these Jewish leaders.
To
their questions John replies he is not the Messiah, but he is the forerunner,
the promised Elias, who is now sent to prepare the way for the Messiah who is
on his way. John says he is the voice of one crying in the wilderness to make
ready for the Lord. He holds the Aaronic Priesthood
and has been sent by God to baptize with water and make ready a people for the
Messiah. This Messiah is coming in the power and authority of the Melchizedek
Priesthood and will baptize both with water and the Spirit. John tells the
people and those sent to question him that
the Messiah now stands among you and ye know him not, but you soon will. He
shall bring the fullness of the Gospel and restore all things. (“Doctrinal New
Testament Commentary” Volume 1, Bruce R. McConkie, p.128-130. “Our Lord of the
Gospels” J. R. Clark, p.183-189.)
Holzapfel
and Wayment:
The
appearance of JB is sudden and ushers in a radical transformation of the
religious, social, and political activities and forces within the Jewish
nation. The coming of one claiming to be a prophet after nearly 500 years with
the heavens closed is certainly dramatic. The people arewell
aware of the Old Testament prophets who have testified of this time to come.
John
is calling all to repent. The Greek word for repent means literally “to change
one's mind,” and his call is for a complete change of heart and behavior, and
to forsake and return to God. His
preaching is very direct and accusatory against them and their present
political and religious leaders. In fact, he challenges and denounces the
authority they claim to have from God, and condemns their behavior. (Volume 1
p.160-180)
“Luke
emphasizes the fact that the Jews must make a fresh start because they had,
through sin, forfeited their status as the ‘children of Abraham.’” (JST Luke 3:13)
Among
the Jewish leaders themselves there were a number expecting and waiting for a
new prophet to arise, followed by the coming Messiah. Many of these journeyed
to hear John, accepted his message, and were baptized. (JST Matthew 1:33; Mark
1:3,4,5; Luke 3:12)
Apostle
Bruce R. McConkie:
John
the Baptist was “filled with the Holy Ghost from his mother's Womb,”
was ordained by God when 8 days old, and empowered then to over-throw the kingdom
of the Jews. He was to make straight the way of the Lord before the face of his
people, and to prepare them for the coming of the Lord. (D & C 84: 27-28)
“There
was a tradition among the Jews ... that when the Messiah came he would cry
repentance, and the new kingdom would be ushered in by a great movement of
reformation. John's preaching was so persuasive, so powerful, that great hosts
flocked to him from Jerusalem and all Judea.” (p.425-434)
Suggested
additional reading:
Apostle
James E. Talmage's book, “Jesus the Christ,” written by assignment from the
First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and first published in
1915, is a beautiful account of John, “the voice in the wilderness,” pages
121-125. Reading it will be a bright
spot in your day.
Glenn
R. McGettigan
March
2012; Revised May 2014
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