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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 (Luke 1:64). After this
no more is recorded of him for thirty years than what is mentioned in Luke
1:80. John was a Nazarite from his birth (Luke 1:15; Numbers 6:1-12). He
spent his early years in the mountainous tract of Judah lying between
Jerusalem and the Dead Sea (Matthew 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
(Luke 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 (Matthew 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? (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 h
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