The Keswick Library

Edited by Rev. Evan H. Hopkins

John: the Baptist Forerunner & Martyr

By the Rev J Elder Cumming DD

Author of “Through the Eternal Spirit” “Holy Men of God” Etc Etc

LONDON MARSHALL BROTHERS KESWICK HOUSE PATERNOSTER ROW

CONTENTS

cap

List of Passages in the Gospels concerning john

Josephus’ Account of the Baptist

1 Time and Place

2 Birth and Parentage

3 Training

4 Early Preaching

5 The Three Interviews with Christ

6 Later Teaching

7 Imprisonment

8 Doubt

9 Martyrdom

10 Character and Position

11 Sources and Subsequent Influence of his Teaching

LIST OF PASSAGES IN THE GOSPELS CONCERNING JOHN THE BAPTIST

JOSEPHUS’ ACCOUNT OF JOHN THE BAPTIST

“Antiquities of the Jews,” book xviii., chap. 5, § 2 (Whiston’s Translation).

Now some of the Jews thought that the destruction of Herod’s army came from God, and that very justly, as a punishment of what he did against John that was called the Baptist; for Herod slew him, who was a good man, and commanded the Jews to exercise virtue, both as to righteousness towards one another and piety towards God, and so to come to baptism, for that the washing would be acceptable to Him if they made use of it, not in order to the putting away of some sins, but for the purification of the body, supposing still that the soul was thoroughly purified beforehand by righteousness. Now when others came in crowds about him—for they were greatly moved by hearing his words—Herod, who feared lest the great influence which John had over the people might put it into his power and inclination, to raise a rebellion (for they seemed ready to do anything he should advise), thought it best, by putting him to death, to prevent any mischief he might cause, and not bring himself into difficulties by sparing a man who might make him repent of it when it should be too late. Accordingly he was sent a prisoner, out of Herod’s snspicious temper, to Machærus, the castle I have before mentioned, and put to death.

JOHN: THE BAPTIST, FORERUNNER, AND MARTYR

Cap 1

THE TIME AND PLACE

“Make ready the way of the Lord.”—St. Mark 1:4.

UPWARDS of four hundred years had passed since the last prophet of Israel had carried to the people a message concerning God. A race of prophets had never been wanting before since Moses received his message at Horeb; and, indeed, taking the word in a larger sense, the Patriarchs themselves had been prophets of God. Sometimes a generation had passed without such a messenger, but no fewer than fourteen generations had now gone since God’s voice had been heard.

Other considerations had concurred to reduce Israel to a low and despondent state. After the return from Babylon, there had been governors exercising more or less authority; there had ...