John the apostle wrote how John the Baptist told his disciples, “He that believes on the Son has everlasting life: and he that believes not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abides on him”, and in chapter four and verse one of his book, John shared how, “the Pharisees had heard Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John” where we read:
When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard
that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John,
The verse reads, “When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard ...” John began with the words, “When therefore” which means “at the time and moment then, wherefore and these things being so” “the Lord knew how” or “the one to whom a person or thing belongs, about which he has power of deciding; master and the title given to God the Messiah” “the Pharisees” which means “the sect that seems to have started after the Jewish exile. In addition to Old Testament books the Pharisees recognized in oral tradition a standard of belief and life” “had heard” or “were given the faculty for hearing, perceiving and understanding” the following. John shared how Jesus understood that the religious group known as “the Pharisees” “perceived and understood” the following about Jesus.
The verse goes on to say, “... that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John,”. John continued with the words, “that Jesus” which means “that the Son of God, the Savior of mankind and God incarnate whose name means Jehovah is Salvation” “made and baptized more disciples” or “prepared, acquired, constituted and ordained a greater in quantity number of students, pupils and attendants” “than John” which means “compared to John the Baptist whose name means Jehovah is a gracious giver”. John shared how “the Pharisees” understood and perceived that Jesus was “baptizing” more people than John the Baptist.
When we think through John's words in this verse, we learn how Jesus “knew” the “religious group” known as “the Pharisees” perceived that He was “baptizing” and “making disciples” more people than “John the Baptist”. Because Jesus was becoming more and more popular and known among the people, more of them came to His disciples to be “baptized”. God was continuing His plan to save mankind through His Son Jesus, and every step of Jesus' life was purposed to provide “salvation” to all mankind. Those who put their faith and trust in Jesus will be forgiven of their sins and inherit everlasting life with God.
Next time John shares how “Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples”, 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".
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