situations. To each one who becomes convicted by his message, John the Baptist has a fitting word, and in each case his ethical demand touches the point at which the person is enslaved to the powers of the old age and closed to God’s action. To the people in general he says, “Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none; and whoever has food must do likewise.” To the tax collectors he says, “Collect no more than the amount prescribed for you.” To the soldiers he says, “Do not extort