Later life of John the Baptist-- before baptizing Jesus (4 coverages)

HOMEPAGE QuotesFromOT 1 QuotesFromOT 2 N.T. (GOSPELS) Feasts/Loc's Late Life John BeforeMinistry Ministry Itin'ry Ministry Chro1 Ministry Chro2 Ministry Chro3 Ministry Chro4 MinChroAltern Min'tryBegins Cana/Nazareth Capernaum1 Capernaum2 SeaOfGal 1 Parable1 Parable2 Parable3 *Sermon1 *Sermon2 *Sermon3 *Sermon4 *Sermon5 *SeaOfGal 2 O.T. (PSALMS) Psalm Topics Psalms 1 - 6 Psalms 7 - 11 Psalms 12 - 18 Psalms 19 - 24 Psalms 25 - 27 Psalms 28 - 35 Psalms 36 - 41 Psalms 42 - 50 Psalms 51 - 59 Psalms 60 - 68 Psalms 69 - 72 Psalms 73 - 77 Psalms 78 - 79 Psalms 80 - 83 Psalms 84 - 85 Psalms 86 - 88 Psalms 89 - 90 Psalms 91 - 92 Psalms 93 - 94 Psalm 95 Psalms 96 - 98 Psa 99 - 102 Psa 103 - 104 Psa 105 - 106 Psa 107 - 109 Psa 110 - 113 Psa 114 - 116 Psa 117 - 118 Psalm 119A Psalm 119B Psa 120 - 126 Psa 127 - 132 Psa 133 - 134 Psa 135 - 136 Psa 137 - 138 Psa 139 - 140 Psa 141 - 144 Psa 145 - 150 *PerMtMkLk1 *PerMtMkLk2 *PerMtMkLk3 *PerMtMkLk4 *PerMtMkLk5 *PerMtMkLk6 *PerMtMkLk7 *PerMtMkLk8 *PerMtMkLk9 *PerMtMkLk10 *PerMtMkLk11 *PerMtMkLk12 *PerMtMkLk13 *PerMtMkLk14 *PerMtMkLk15 *PerMtMkLk16 *PerMtMkLk17 *PerMtMkLk18 *PerMtMkLk19 *PerMtMkLk20 *PerMtMkLk21 *PerMtMkLk22 *PerMtMkLk23 *PerMtMkLk24 *PerMtMkLk25 *PerMtMkLk26 *PerMtMkLk27 *PerMtMkLk28 *PerJohn1 *PerJohn2 *PerJohn3 *PerJohn4 PerJohn5 PerJohn6 PerJohn7 PerJohn8 PerJohn9 N.T. (REST) *Acts 1 & 2 *Acts 3 & 4 *Acts 5 & 6 *Acts 7 *Acts 8 & 9 *Acts 10 & 11 *Acts 12 & 13 *Acts 14 & 15 *Acts 16 & 17 *Acts 18 & 19 *Acts 20 & 21 *Acts 22 & 23 *Acts 24 - 26 *Acts 27 & 28 Roma 1 - 3 Roma 4 - 6 Roma 7 - 9 Roma 10 - 13 Roma 14 - 16 1stCor 1 - 4 1stCor 5 - 8 1stCor 9 - 11 1stCor 12 - 14 1stCor 15 & 16 2ndCor 1 - 4 2ndCor 5 - 8 2ndCor 9 - 11 2ndCor 12 - 13 Gala 1 - 3 Gala 4 - 6 Ephe 1 - 3 Ephe 4 - 6 Phlp 1 - 4 Colo 1 - 4 1stThe 1 - 5 2ndThe 1 - 3 1stTim 1 - 6 2ndTim 1 - 4 Titu 1 - 3 Phlm Hebr 1 - 3 Hebr 4 - 7 Hebr 8 - 10 Hebr 11 - 13 Jame 1 - 5 1stPet 1 - 3 1stPet 4 & 5 2ndPet 1 - 3 1stJoh 1 - 5 2ndJoh 3rdJoh Jude Reve 1 - 3 Reve 4 - 8 Reve 9 - 13 Reve 14 - 17 Reve 18 - 20 Reve 21 & 22 ++ Greek (Intro.) VI (Ephe) XI (1stTim) XII (2ndTim) XIII (Titu) XIV (Phlm) XV (Hebr) XVI (Jame) XVII (1stPet) XVIII (2ndPet) PART I, A-C PART I, D PART I, E PART I, F PART II O.T. (PART I) FrontCover BackCover Preface PerspectivesA PerspectivesB PerspectivesC CommentsOLD CommentsNEW LinksScripture Links1ChuMin Links2ChuMin LinksMusCam Links1Green Links2Green LinksJewish LinksOther oldCap1 oldCap2 oldSOG1 oldPar2

The Scripture coverages below are Mt 3:1-12; Mk 1:1-8; Lk 3:1-18; Jn 1:15-28

1. Later life of John the Baptist Before baptizing Jesus Per Matt Matt 3:1-12 Texted in green is a quote from Isa 40:3. In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the Desert of Judea & saying, 'Repent, for the kingdom of Heaven is near. Speaking of Jesus: 'This is He (John) who was spoken (God spoke) of through Isaiah: A voice of 1 calling in the desert, 'Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for Him.' John's clothes were made of camel's hair, & He had a leather belt around His waist. His food was locusts & wild honey. People went out to Him from Jerusalem & all Judea & the whole region of the Jordan. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by Him in the Jordan River. But when He saw many of the Pharisees & Sadducees coming to where He was baptizing, He said to them: 'You brood of vipers! Who warned You to flee from the coming wrath? Produce fruit in keeping with repentance-- see below, 3. Later Life... Per Luke (the 2nd half). And do not think you can say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as Our father.' I tell you that out of these stones GOD can raise up children for Abraham. The ax is already at the root of the trees, & every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down & thrown into the fire. I baptize You with water for the purpose of repentance. But after Me will come 1 who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. HE will baptize You with the Holy Spirit & with fire. HIS winnowing fork is in HIS hand, & HE will clear HIS threshing floor, gathering HIS wheat into the barn & burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire.'

2. Later life of John the Baptist Before baptizing Jesus Per Mark Mark 1:1-8 Texted in blue is a quote from Mal 3:1a; texted in green is the same quote as in Per Matt above (Isa 40:3): The beginning of the gospel about Jesus Christ, the Son of GOD. It is written in Isaiah the prophet: I will send MY Messenger ahead of YOU, who will prepare YOUR Way-- a voice of 1 calling in the desert, 'Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for Him.' And so John came, baptizing in the desert region & preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins-- see below, 3. Later Life... Per Luke (the 2nd half). The whole Judean countryside & 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, & He ate locusts & wild honey, And this was His message: 'After Me will come 1 more powerful than I, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down & untie. I baptize you with water, but HE will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.

3. Later life of John the Baptist Before baptizing Jesus Per Luke Luke 3:1-18 Keep in mind that John's purpose of baptism & teachings (advice) was more to prepare the Jews to accept Jesus than to prepare Jesus. John had the role of convincing the Jews that a radical difference was coming-- making the transition as smooth as possible (for 1, baptizing Jesus, who would make salvation available to all). Texted in green is a quote from Isa 40:3-5 (i.e., it is a larger quote from Isa 40 than above, in 1... Per Matt & 2... Per Mark; also, Isa 42:16; 52:10 speak to Isa 40:5 & Luke 3:6): In the 15th year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar-- when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, Herod tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of Iturea & Traconitis, & Lysanias tetrarch of Abiline --during the high priesthood of Annas & Caiaphas, the Word of GOD came to John in the desert. He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins [just hoping for a connection w/ God (hoping for hope)]. There was no possible response-of-oath to God (the oath did not exist); whereas today, due to Jesus' shed blood, per 1stPet 3:21 we can make a pledge (answer/response) of a good conscience to GOD in response to His invitation. See Heb 7 (esp'ly v. 28). We have hope! We can produce fruit! As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet: A voice of 1 crying in the desert, 'Prepare the way for the Lord. Make straight paths for Him. Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain & hill made low. The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth. And all mankind will see GOD'S Salvation.' John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by Him, 'You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. I.e., today ABCing (see Psalms 141 - 144 Psalm 143 1. Nicodemus... & CommentsOLD In General) takes care of the remission of sins-- baptism is for the purpose of stating, "I wanna be a visible part of the Body of Christ, as I believe it is THE way to produce fruit!" BTW, I recently heard that "darkness preceded light", that light could not have pre-existed, since it's function is to invade darkness. Seems to make sense, until 1 considers the fall of man. Evidently darkness invaded the soul, such that mankind could not fathom the light-of-creation. Roma 1:18-20 reads, The Wrath of GOD is still being revealed from Heaven against all the godlessness & wickedness of men, since what may be known soul-fully about GOD is plain (visible) to them, because GOD has made it plain (visible) to them. For since the creation of the world GOD'S Invisible Qualities-- HIS Eternal Power & Divine Nature --have been clearly seen (visible), being intellectually understood from what has been made (created by God-- manipulated by man), so that they (people) are without excuse. And do not begin to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father (ancestor).' For I tell you that out of these stones GOD can raise up children (descendants) for Abraham. The ax is already at the root of the trees, & every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down & thrown in the fire.' 'What should we do then?' the crowd asked. John answered, 'The man with 2 tunics should share with him who has none, & the 1 who has food should do the same,' Tax collectors also came to be baptized. 'Teacher,' they asked, 'what should we do?' 'Don't collect any more than you are required to,' He told them. Then some soldiers asked Him, 'And what shall we do?' He replied, 'Don't exhort money & don't accuse people falsely-- be content with your pay.' The people were waiting expectantly & were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Christ. John answered them all, 'I baptize you with water. But 1 more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. HE will baptize You with the Holy Spirit & with fire. HIS winnowing fork is in HIS hand to clear HIS Threshing Floor & to gather the wheat into HIS Barn, but HE will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.' And with many other words John exhorted the people & preached the good news to them.

4. Later life of John the Baptist Before baptizing Jesus Per John John 1:15-28 See the implication below (near the bottom). Texted in green is the same quote as in Per Matt & Per Mark above (Isa 40:3): John testifies concerning Him. He cries out, saying, "This was He of whom I said, 'He who comes after Me has already surpassed Me because He was before Me.'" From the fullness of His grace we have all received 1 blessing after another. For the Law was given through Moses; grace & truth came through Jesus Christ. No 1 has ever seen GOD, but GOD the ONE & ONLY SON, who is at the Father's side, has made Him known. Now this was John's testimony when the Jews of Jerusalem sent priests & Levites to ask Him who He was. He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, 'I am not the Christ (Anointed One).' 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 1 calling in the desert, 'Make straight the way for the Lord.' Now some Pharisees who had not been sent questioned Him, 'Why do You baptize if You are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?' 'I baptize with water,' John replied, 'but among you stands 1 you do not know. He is the 1 who comes after Me, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.' This all happened at the Bethany on the other side of the Jordan, where John was baptizing. This was not the Bethany Jesus went to prior to His final entry into Jerusalem. John 11:18 says, Bethany was less than 2 miles from Jerusalem-- i.e., on the same side as Jerusalem.