23 And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.

rias.

hill and partly in a valley at its base, and containing about three or four thousand inhabitants, of whom the greater part profess to be Christians. They have a convent and two churches; one of which is represented as very beautiful. By the prophets. The exact language, which is here apparently quoted, is not found in any one of the prophets; nor, indeed, any passage sufficiently similar to justify a belief that it was particularly referred to. Various methods have been proposed to remove the difficulty thus occasioned. That which seems best entitled to credit is the fol lowing: The prophets uniformly represented the Messiah as a meek, humble person, subject to reproach, ignominy, and shame, in the eyes of the multitude. See Isaiah liii., Psalms xxii., &c. Nazareth had, for some reason, obtained a bad name. Its inhabitants were despised, and the objects of contempt. It was even doubted by one of the most guileless of the Jews, whether any good thing could come out of this place. John i. 46. To say that a man was a Nazarene was, therefore, as much as to say that he was worthless and despicable. We may understand the evangelist to mean, that, as Jesus became an inhabitant of that city, and subject tc the consequent derision and contempt of men, the predictions concerning the estimation in which he should be held were fully verified.

nicians. Lower Galilee, which con- and violence which he encountered fertained the tribes of Zebulun and Asher, petually, until he sealed his testiniony was sometimes called the Great Field, with his own blood. Luke iv. 29. 'the champaign.' Deut. xi. 30. The Nazareth is now a small town in Galivalley was adjacent to the sea of Tibe-lee, situated partly on the declivity of a Josephus describes Galilee as being very populous, containing two hur dred and four cities and towns, the least of which contained fifteen thousand inhabitants. It was also very rich, and paid two hundred talents in tribute. The natives were brave, and made good soldiers; they were also seditious, and prone to insolence and rebellion. Their language and customs differed considerably from those of the Judeans. Mark xiv. 70. Josephus states that the Galileans were naturally good soldiers, bold and intrepid; that they bravely resisted the foreign nations around them; that their country was fruitful, and well cultivated; and the people laborious and industrious. The Galileans, according to Josephus, agreed in all things with the Pharisees, but were distinguished by an excessive love of liberty; being strongly prejudiced with the idea, that they ought to obey God alone as their prince. Perhaps there was some reference to this, in representing Jesus as a Galilean to Vilate. Luke xxiii. 2. His accusers, to render him suspected of this heresy, say they found him perverting the nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Cæsar. Our Saviour was surnamed Galilean, Matt. xxvi. 69, because he was brought up at Nazareth, a city of this province; and it deserves notice, that he was thus addressed by his bitter adversary the dying Julian :— "Thou hast conquered, O Galilean!' His disciples, and Christians in general, were called Galileans after their master, r because several of his apostles Ielonged to that province. Acts ii. 7." 23. Nazareth. A city in Galilee. See the foregoing note. Here our Lord was "brought up," Luke iv. 16, and here he commenced his public ministry Boon after his baptism. Here, also, at the commencement of his labors, he experienced an earnest of the opposition |

CHAPTER III.

1. In those days. About the same time. This is not to be understood of the time immediately succeeding the events related in the former chapter; for John was only six months older than our Lord, and did not commence his ministry until he was about thirty years of age. It seems probable that Jesus resided with his reputed father at Nazareth, where they resorted to be

2 And saying, Repent ye; for the kingdom of heaven is at hand

"Six

out of the reach of Archelaus, until near thus announced or preached by John the commencement of his public labors. was embraced in few words, which Luke iv. 16. The meaning may be, in might be uttered in a single breath. ose days, while Jesus continued to ¶ Wilderness. This word does not dwell at Nazareth. We must allow an here denote a place entirely uninhabited interval of twenty-five years, or some- or desolate; but merely a portion of what more, perhaps, between the jour- territory less cultivated than others, ney to Nazareth and the public appear- especially if mountainous, rocky, or ance of John in the wilderness. Some abounding in trees. There were of the events, which occurred during this eral deserts in the Holy Land; and interval, are recorded, Luke ii. 40-52. there was scarcely a town without one ¶ John the Baptist. Or, John the Bap-belonging to it, i. e. uncultivated places, tizer; so called, because baptism with for woods and pasture." Calmet. water was a conspicuous feature in his cities with their villages" are described ministry. The name is useful, also, to as being situated in one wilderness. distinguish this individual from the Josh. xv. 61, 62. It appears that this apostle of the same name, now often particular wilderness was upon the called, for the sake of distinction, John borders of the river Jordan, and that it the Evangelist. John was commissioned was populated to some considerable exto prepare the people to listen to the tent. Luke iii. 3. Among the people instructions of Christ. He aroused them dwelling in this region, John first profrom their slumbers, reproved them for claimed the approaching reign of grace. their sins, exhorted them to repentance 2. Repent. Reform; change your or reformation, on the ground that the manner of life; such is the meaning of long-expected Messiah would soon ap- the word here used. There are two pear; and to all who believed his testi- words translated repent; one, indicating mony he administered baptism. This a change of mind; the other, a change was not a new rite or ceremony; the of feeling. "It has been observed by Jews had long been familiar with it. some, and, I think, with reason, that "The institution of baptism, for an the former denotes, properly a change evangelical sacrament, was first in the to the better; the latter, barely a hand of the Baptist, who, the word of change, whether it be to the better or to the Lord coming to him,' Luke iii. 2, the worse; that the former marks a went forth, backed with the same change of mind that is durable and proauthority as the chiefest prophets had ductive of consequences; the latter exin times past. But yet the first use of presses only a present uneasy feeling baptism was not exhibited at that time. of regret or sorrow for what is done, For baptism, very many centuries of without regard either to duration or to years backwards, had been both known effects; in fine, that the first may proand received in most frequent use among perly be translated into English, the Jews; and for the very same end, form; the second, I repent, in the as it now obtains among Christians, familiar acceptation of the word."namely, that by it proselytes might be Campbell. The first of these words is admitted into the church; and hence it used in this verse. It evidently implies was called Baptism for proselytism,' much more than regret for the past. In and was distinct from Baptism (or the parallel place, Luke iii. 3--14, some washing) from uncleanness. See the of the duties, comprehended in John's Babylonian Talmud in Jevamoth."- exhortation to repent, are specified; Light foot. Preaching. Proclaim- from which it is manifest that he aimed ing in the manner of a herald; so the at a thorough reformation of conduct, or word in the original is generally used. amendment of life. The Jews were It does not indicate the utterance of a proverbially a hard-hearted and stiffLong-continued, methodical, carefully necked people. And perhaps at no arranged, discourse, to which the term former period in their history car be preaching is now generally applied; found evidence of greater depravity of but rather the brief and energetic an- heart and conduct than existed at this nouncement or proclamation of an im- very time. Lust of power and riches, portant fact or event. The great fact, hatred and cruelty towards others. for.

6

re

3 For this is he that was spoken | of by the prophet Esaias, saying

re

mality and hypocrisy in their religious a new religious economy, instituted by services, were their distinguishing char- God, and by his special care established acteristics. They needed, therefore, and extended in the world, breaking not only a proper regret for their past down every opposing power, and assimiwickedness, but a thorough change in lating all things to its own peculiar their habits of thought and action. To character. This economy we now call, effect such a change from sinfulness to by a name rather vague, the gospel disholiness was one great object of Christ's pensation; but by the ancient Jews it mission. Acts ii. 26. With much would have been more properly denomipropriety, therefore, his herald, in an-nated the reign of the Messiah. Its nouncing his approach, called the atten- fundamental principle was pure tion of the people to this important sub-ligion, both theoretical and practical; ject. And let it not be forgotten, that, and, accordingly, St. Paul says that 'the although the Jews were particularly kingdom of God is not meat and drink, addressed, yet it is as proper and but righteousness, peace, and joy in the necessary for us and all, as for them, Holy Ghost;' and that it is not in to reform whatever is amiss in our word, but in power.' Rom. xiv. 17; hearts and lives; to forsake sin and 1 Cor. iv. 20. As might be expected, practise righteousness. Kingdom of however, the phrase appears often to heaven. The phrases kingdom of embrace, within its signification, not heaven, kingdom of God, and the simple only this internal and pervading spirit, term kingdom, are used in the New but also that external system of its adTestament, to express the same idea. ministration, which God had organized, This is evident from the fact, that, in and committed, for the most part, into relating the same discourse, what one the hands of Jesus Christ to execute; evangelist calls kingdom of heaven consisting of divine revelation, the gift another calls kingdom of God. Com- of prophecy, the working of miracles, pare Matt. v. 3; Luke vi. 20. For a the preaching of the word, and the inlike use of the word kingdom, alone, stitution of the church; to which we see Matt. iv. 17, 23. The kingdom of may add, the divine blessing on all Christ, or of the Son of man, expresses these means, and the ever active cothe same idea. Matt. xvi. 28; Luke operation of Providence. This is its ix. 27. See, also, Matt. xiii. 41--43, most general or unrestrained sense; where the kingdom of the Son and the and with this latitude it is probably to kingdom of the Father, or of God, have be understood when used indefinitely; the same meaning. It is worthy of as when mention is made of 'the gosobservation, that Matthew is the only pel of the kingdom,' or of 'preaching New Testament writer who uses the the kingdom of God.' Sometimes, too, phrase kingdom of heaven; and that he it appears to relate solely to what we uses this more frequently than any of have called the external system of its the synonymous phrases. This pecu- administration, without including its liarity may be accounted for, by the spiritual principles. Thus, Christ tells fact that he wrote for the special infor- the Jews, 'Therefore I say unto you, mation of the Jews, among whom it had the kingdom of God shall be taken long been customary to use the word from you, and given unto a nation heaven or heavens, instead of the more bringing forth the fruits thereof;' Matt. holy name of God; and by whom the xxi. 43; meaning, evidently, that the phrase kingdom of heaven would be opportunities of all kinds, which they readily understood to mean the king- then enjoyed for embracing true reli dom of God. Dan. iv. 26. The word gion, should be transferred from them kingdom does not, perhaps, express the to the Gentiles. Sometimes, again, it idea so distinctly as might be desired. applies more especially to the body of Campbell and others prefer the word people who lived under the operation reign. What then is denoted by the of those means; as Christ says, 'The kingdom or reign of God, or of heaven, Son of man shall send forth his angels, or of the Son of man? In defining this and they shall gather out of his kingphrase, I adopt the language of Rev. dom all things which offend, and them H. Ballon, 2d. "It denoted, in general, which do iniquity;' Matt. xiii. 41; in

The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.

other words, they shall gather out of the multitude which I have claimed for my subjects, all those who transgress my laws. Notwithstanding there seems considerable variety of signification in these several instances, the careful reader will readily perceive that it is but a modification of the general meaning, and that, in every case, the primary idea is still the same; that of a religious dominion exercised by Heaven over individuals or communities."-Univ. Expositor, I. 10, 11. See, also, "Selections," &c., sect. i. In the epistles, this phrase is sometimes used in a sense more extensive, and more directly referring to the future life. This variety of signification will be noticed in its proper place. At hand. Very near; about to commence. No time remained for delay. The king was approaching, and his reign would immediately begin. This declaration was verified within a few days.

4 And the same John had his rai ment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his

Clarke has given from Diodorus, a good illustration of this passage, in a description of an expedition of Semiramis. "În her march to Ecbatana, she came to the Zarcean mountain, which, extending many furlongs, and being fuil of craggy precipices and deep hollows, could not be passed without making a great compass about; being therefore desirous of leaving an everlasting memorial of herself, as well as shortening the way, she ordered the precipices to be digged down, and the hollows to be filled up; and, at a great expense, she made a shorter and more expeditious road, which to this day is called, from her, the road of Semiramis." See the language of the prophet, as translated from the Hebrew, in the common version of the Bible. To cause such preparations to be made, heralds were sent forward to proclaim the approach of the important personage. Something slightly analogous to this custom may be observed 3. This is he. It is generally sup- in our own age and country. John was posed that the prophet, in the place commissioned to announce the advent here quoted, had special reference to of a more illustrious and august monthe return of the Jews from Babylon; arch than had ever before appeared on and that his language is applied to the earth. Though he came in meekJohn only by accommodation. Doubt-ness and humility, yet Solomon in all less, is interpretation may be justified by the usage of similar phrases among the orientals. See note on Matt. ii. 15. But it appears more probable to me, that the prophet had direct reference to the coming of the Messiah, preceded by his herald. The predictions contained in the whole chapter seem more applicable to Jesus Christ than to any other, if indeed they can be regarded as applicable to any other; and if this be their proper application, of course the passage relative to the herald, or forerunner, must 4. Raiment. Clothing; dress.refer to John. Our Lord himself seems Camel's hair. Not the fine cloth, to confirm this interpretation, by apply-known by that name in the present ing to John the language of another prophet, Mal. iii. 1; iv. 5,—which is very similar to that which is here quoted. See Matt. xi. 10, 14. T Esaias. The Greek form of the Hebrew Isaiah. The passage quoted is Isa. xl. 3. It seems to have been quoted from the Septuagint, with which it nearly agrees; but it differs slightly from the Hebrew. Prepare ye the way, &c. The imagery is drawn from eastern customs.

his glory was insignificant, in comparison with him, for true dignity and majesty. The preparation required was of a higher character, also, in this case; being of a spiritual instead of a physical nature. The people were to put away their pride, avarice, obstinacy, lusts, passions, indeed, everything which might be an obsta e to the progress and triumph of the great moral Governor, who was sent from heaven to rule, protect, and bless.

day; but a coarse, cheap cloth, made
of the shaggy hair of the camel. Such
is still worn by the poor, in eastern
countries, and by some monks. It was
a common dress of the prophets of old.
2 Kings i. 8; Zech. xiii. 4. In the
latter place, the "rough garment" was
probably composed of hair-cloth. John
differed from other heralds, in appear-
ance, as his Master and ours differed
from other princes.
He was

not