A Practical Commentary on Holy Scripture/XXIV. John the Baptist sends Messengers to Christ
Chapter XXIV.
JOHN THE BAPTIST SENDS MESSENGERS TO CHRIST.
[Luke 7, 18—35.]
HEROD Antipas, the son of that Herod who had ordered the massacre of the Innocents, was now king of Galilee and Peraea. This Herod was living with Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, while the latter was still alive. Now John the Baptist said to him: “It is not lawful[1] for thee to have thy brother’s wife.”
This rebuke provoked the wrath of Herod and Herodias. John was apprehended, bound and put in prison[2]. Herod would have put him to death, but he feared [3] the people, who considered John a great prophet.
John, being now in prison, and having no other desire than that all should believe in Jesus and follow Him, sent two of his disciples[4], in order that with their own eyes they might see the miracles wrought by Jesus, and with their own ears hear His admirable teaching.
These disciples then presented themselves before Jesus, saying: “Art Thou He who is to come?[5] or look we for another?” Jesus answered: “Go, and relate[6] to John what you have seen and heard. The blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are made clean, the deaf hear, the dead rise again, to the poor the gospel is preached; and blessed is he that shall not be scandalized [7] in me.”
COMMENTARY.
Jesus is the Messias. The miracles of Jesus, so completely coinciding as they do with the prophecies of Isaias, are conclusive evidence that Jesus was the promised Redeemer.
Candour and fortitude of St. John. He exercised his office of preacher of penance not only to the multitude, but to the great and powerful as well.
To admonish sinners is a spiritual work of mercy.
Application. Do you try, as St. John the Baptist did, to prevent sin as far as you are able? If your brothers or comrades desire to do anything wrong, you too should say: “It is not lawful — it is a sin.”
- ↑ Not lawful. You were told in chapter XVI that Herod Antipas, Tetrarch of Galilee, had thrown the holy Baptist into prison, the Pharisees having delivered him up to him. In this chapter we are told the reason why Herod persecuted John. He had, in defiance of God’s commandment, taken to himself the wife of his half-brother Philip. Gently but solemnly the holy Baptist reminded the light-minded king of God’s commandment, and said to him: “It is not lawful for thee to have her.”
- ↑ In prison. He was kept shut up in the fortress of Machaerus, which stood on a high rock to the east of the Dead Sea. His imprisonment, however, was not a very severe one, for his disciples had access to him, and were able to tell him about the wonderful works of Jesus.
- ↑ He feared. Herodias hated him, and was only waiting her opportunity to take his life. She was an ambitious and passionate woman, and could not forgive the holy man for his boldness and freedom of speech.
- ↑ Sent two of his disciples. John himself had no doubt whatever, that Jesus was the Messias and Son of God; for this was the burden of his preaching on the banks of the Jordan. But it was different with many of his disciples, especially those who had not seen but only heard of the works of our Lord. In order to confirm their faith, John sends them to Jesus to ask Him directly whether He was the Messias. Our Lord answers them indirectly by referring them to his works. This would confirm the Baptist’s own testimony of Jesus.
- ↑ Who is to come. Namely the promised Redeemer. This question shows plainly what it was that John wanted. He asked for no proof, no sign from Jesus, only a brief assertion as to who He was, which would confirm his own testimony of Him. This inquiry of the Baptist is, as it were, his final testimony that Jesus was the Messias, for he thereby declared to the whole world that one simple assertion on our lord’s part was sufficient to command unconditional belief in Him.
- ↑ Relate. St. Luke (7, 21) says: “At that same hour (when John sent his disciples), He (Jesus) cured many of their diseases and hurts, and evil spirits, and to many that were blind He gave sight.” Our Lord referred John’s disciples for an answer to the works which they saw Him do. “Go”, said He, “relate to John” &c. By these words He referred to the prophecy of Isaias (Old Test. LXXII) which foretells that the Redeemer, when He came, would perform such works as these. Therefore the meaning of our Lord’s answer is this: “You see with your own eyes that I am doing the works foretold of the Messias by Isaias; therefore you can plainly see that I am the Redeemer who was promised.”
- ↑ Scandalized. Who does not take offence at my poverty and lowliness, my sufferings and death. The lowliness and sufferings of Jesus were also foretold by Isaias (Old Test. LXXII) ; but as the Jews expected a Messias who would appear with pomp and power, and would humble the enemies of Israel, His poverty and humility were the greatest hindrances to faith. The Gospel does not tell us what impression our Lord’s message made on St. John, but we can without difficulty conceive that the holy Precursor, who was well versed in the prophecies of Isaias, received our Lord’s answer with joy, and that it brought consolation to him in prison, and later on when he suffered a cruel death.