Matthew 3:4
And the same John had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey.
Original Language Analysis
αὐτοῦ
his
G846
αὐτοῦ
his
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
1 of 27
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
εἶχεν
had
G2192
εἶχεν
had
Strong's:
G2192
Word #:
5 of 27
to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
αὐτοῦ
his
G846
αὐτοῦ
his
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
8 of 27
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ἀπὸ
of
G575
ἀπὸ
of
Strong's:
G575
Word #:
9 of 27
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
12 of 27
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
περὶ
about
G4012
περὶ
about
Strong's:
G4012
Word #:
15 of 27
properly, through (all over), i.e., around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time (with the genitive cas
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
16 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὀσφὺν
loins
G3751
ὀσφὺν
loins
Strong's:
G3751
Word #:
17 of 27
the loin (externally), i.e., the hip; internally (by extension) procreative power
αὐτοῦ
his
G846
αὐτοῦ
his
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
18 of 27
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ἡ
G3588
ἡ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
19 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τροφὴ
meat
G5160
τροφὴ
meat
Strong's:
G5160
Word #:
21 of 27
nourishment (literally or figuratively); by implication, rations (wages)
αὐτοῦ
his
G846
αὐτοῦ
his
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
22 of 27
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ἀκρίδες
locusts
G200
ἀκρίδες
locusts
Strong's:
G200
Word #:
24 of 27
a locust (as pointed, or as lighting on the top of vegetation)
Cross References
2 Kings 1:8And they answered him, He was an hairy man, and girt with a girdle of leather about his loins. And he said, It is Elijah the Tishbite.Leviticus 11:22Even these of them ye may eat; the locust after his kind, and the bald locust after his kind, and the beetle after his kind, and the grasshopper after his kind.Mark 1:6And John was clothed with camel's hair, and with a girdle of a skin about his loins; and he did eat locusts and wild honey;Zechariah 13:4And it shall come to pass in that day, that the prophets shall be ashamed every one of his vision, when he hath prophesied; neither shall they wear a rough garment to deceive:Matthew 11:8But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings' houses.Luke 1:17And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.Malachi 4:5Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD:
Historical Context
Camel's hair clothing and a leather belt marked John as a prophet in Elijah's tradition. Locusts were permitted under Mosaic law (Leviticus 11:22) and wild honey provided sweetness. This diet was available in the wilderness without depending on settled agriculture.
Questions for Reflection
- How does John's lifestyle demonstrate that the messenger must embody the message he proclaims?
- What does John's separation from worldly comfort challenge about contemporary Christian materialism?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
John's austere lifestyle demonstrated prophetic separation from worldly comforts and identification with the wilderness prophets like Elijah (2 Kings 1:8). His camel's hair garment and locust diet symbolized repentance from luxury and conformity to the world. This prophetic symbolism called Israel to remember the wilderness wanderings and return to covenant faithfulness. John embodied his message of radical repentance.