Was John a Man Dressed in Soft Clothing? - Luke 7:25

Luke the beloved physician wrote, “when the messengers of John were departed” Jesus “began to speak unto the people concerning John, What went you out into the wilderness for to see? A reed shaken with the wind?”, and in chapter seven and verse twenty-five of his book Luke shared how Jesus asks, “what went you out to see? A man clothed in soft raiment?” where we read:

But what went you out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment?

Behold, they which are gorgeously appareled, and live delicately, are in kings' courts.

The verse reads, “But what went you out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment?” Luke began with the words, “but what went you out for to see” or “Nevertheless, nonetheless, notwithstanding, moreover who did the multitude who were listening to Jesus depart to observe, notice and behold”? “A man” which means “a male human being” “clothed in soft raiment” or “robed with fine and soft to the touch cloaks, upper garments or mantles”? Luke shared how Jesus continued to question who they went into the “desert place” to observe, and this time He rhetorically asked about whether John the Baptist was “robed” with “fine” or “expensive” garments.

The verse continues, “Behold, they which are gorgeously appareled, and live delicately, are in kings' courts.” Luke added the word, “behold” which means “lo, look and consider”, “they which are gorgeously appareled” or “people who are honorably, illustriously, notably and gloriously arrayed and vestured”, “and live delicately” which means “and exist in softness, luxury and lavishness”, “are in king's courts” or “are within regal and royal palaces”. Luke shared how Jesus answered His own question by referring to people who have “illustrious clothing” and how they “dwell” in the “regal and royal palaces”.

When we consider Luke's words in this verse, we learn how Jesus continued to speak of John the Baptist. John was anything but “dressed expensively” as he wore “camel's hair” for garments, and John was far away from any “regal palace” as he lived in the “wilderness”. Though John was of humble means and location, God used him mightily in His Kingdom. God's intention and plan for John was to be the fore-runner of His Son Jesus Christ, and although His “outerwear” may have been much different than “soft raiment” and living in “king's courts”, his work lead people to a relationship with God through His Son Jesus Christ. Those who are wise will see John for his message and not just his outward appearance.

Next time Luke shares how Jesus asks, “what went you out to see? A prophet?”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".