Matthew 3:2, Was Jesus a Disciple of John the Baptist?

Posted on Wednesday, November 5, 2014 in Bible Commentary | 0 comments

In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!”

//Many scholars suggest that before Jesus went out on his own he was a follower of John the Baptist. While there are many reasons for this conjecture, the most obvious is the way that Jesus adopted the language of John. Today’s verse was spoken by John, and then repeated by Jesus:

From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” –Matthew 4:17

Following are are some more examples:

John: Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? –Luke 3:7

Jesus: Serpents, brood of vipers! How can you escape the condemnation of hell? –Matthew 23:33

John: And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. –Luke 3:9

Jesus: Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. –Matthew 7:19