Matthew 3:1-6 John the Baptist Prepares the Way
In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah:
“A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.”John’s clothes were made of camel’s hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. Matthew 3:1-6
We must understand that Matthew writes to show Jesus is the Messiah of the Jewish Old Testament. So it is not surprising to see John the Baptist described similar toa Jewish Old Testament prophets as he will be the last of them. John’s clothes were made of Camel hair and he wore a leather belt. We see similar wordage in Zechariah 13:4 “On that day every prophet will be ashamed of their prophetic vision. They will not put on a prophet’s garment of hair in order to deceive.”
We also see the explicit mention of Isaiah prophecy of Isaiah 40:3 and it will be mentioned in each Gospel account that follows. This thereby shows the connection and perfection of O. T. prophetic Scriptures to their fulfillment in the New Testament.
Mark 1:2-6 Repeats the same narrative with slight variations
"As it is written in Isaiah the prophet:
“I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way…a voice of one calling in the wilderness, “repare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.”And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. John wore clothing made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey."
The difference is Mark’s Gospel is a Gospel of action and doing things. In Mark we see usage of the word εὐθέως / euthus 41x in Greek: iImmediately. Mark then adds something new or at least words it differently:
"And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River."
It is here we start to see the heart of the matter. The true flow of the undercurrent of Scripture. These prophets were not just pointing to another prophet. These prophecies were not only about John but Jesus and the Scripture. The prophecies about John point to John but who is John pointing to? This is what the entire Old Testament was pointing at. All OT sacrifices and prophecies pointed forward to a day when the Messiah or the King that John speaks of would come. A King or Messiah that would grant forgiveness of sin. It’s in repentance and willingness to humble oneself and change the condition of the heart that the Kingdom comes to earth. It comes through Jesus Christ and it comes through His true disciples.
This is how the Baptist eventually puts the focus on Jesus and this is where we see the focus shift. John conditions or paves people’s heart and minds to be focused on what mattered: “Repentance and Forgiveness". In this way John lays the ground work for Jesus. The King
Luke is more detailed and explicit.
In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar—when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, Herod tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of Iturea and Traconitis and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene during the high-priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John, son of Zechariah in the wilderness. He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet: “A voice of one calling in the wilderness, “Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him”. Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low. The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth. And all people will see God’s salvation.” Luke 3:1-6
Luke is a physician. He’s concerned with facts and details. As we see he is writing a detailed orderly account for Theophilus of “things…that have been fulfilled among us”. Fulfilled implies prophecy folks!! So it is not surprising to read exact dating in accordance with reigns of leaders (which is how things were dated in those times). Dating to the reigns of kings and leaders in Luke links God to history. In this way Luke shows us that Scripture and Prophecy is fulfilled in history. Luke shows that things foretold in history actually came true in history. This shows Scripture is not only true…it’s also extremely accurate.
John being most concerned with showing Jesus' divinity ironically shows some of the most human elements of both John and Jesus.John’ narrates the story of John the Baptist but he writes is different from the other Gospels since it is keeping in step with his purposes.
Now this was John’s testimony when the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him [John] who he was. He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, “I am not the Messiah.” They asked him, “Then who are you? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” He answered, “No.” Finally they said, “Who are you? Give us an answer to take back to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, “I am the voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way for the Lord.’” John 1:19-23
In John’s Gospel we see a frank statement from John. John the Baptist denies being the Messiah. Why? Because the writer John’s purpose in writing his gospel is stated plainly in John 20:31
John 20:30-31states: “Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.”
John wrote so that we may believe Jesus was truly the Son of God. John the writer doesn’t want you confused or to misunderstand him. John the Baptist’s ministry is indeed in accordance with Scripture. As it affirms prophetic Scripture Mentioning Isaiah and Malachi. In the narrative of John the Baptist we’ve seen a character similar to Jesus clearly stepping down or backing off when Jesus comes into the picture. Because what is of more importance than John is clearly Jesus. John was only an arrow pointing to the target.
John 1:26-27“ John answered them, "I baptize with water, but among you stands one you do not know, even he who comes after me, the strap of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie."
This is a reference to the status of slaves. Slaves that undid sandals and washed dirty feet were the lowest form of slave. John is saying that he isn’t even worthy to be this type of slave.
John 3:30 “He must increase, but I must decrease.”
The Baptist’s role was to be the forerunner for Christ, not the Christ Himself. He is only the predecessor to the Lamb of God. We hear this from John's own mouth.
John 1:29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!
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