Matthew 3 4

Matthew 3:4 kjv

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.

Matthew 3:4 nkjv

Now John himself was clothed in camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist; and his food was locusts and wild honey.

Matthew 3:4 niv

John's clothes were made of camel's hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey.

Matthew 3:4 esv

Now John wore a garment of camel's hair and a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey.

Matthew 3:4 nlt

John's clothes were woven from coarse camel hair, and he wore a leather belt around his waist. For food he ate locusts and wild honey.

Matthew 3 verses

Matthew 3 4 Meaning

This verse provides a vivid description of John the Baptist's appearance and diet, establishing his distinctive prophetic identity. It highlights his ascetic lifestyle, setting him apart from societal norms and immediately connecting him to the ancient prophetic tradition, especially that of Elijah. His attire and food choices underscored his message of radical repentance and readiness for the coming Messiah.

Matthew 3 4 Context

Matthew 3 introduces John the Baptist as the forerunner to Jesus the Messiah. Having been living in the wilderness of Judea (Matt 3:1), John emerges, preaching a radical message of repentance, proclaiming the imminent arrival of the Kingdom of Heaven (Matt 3:2), and performing baptisms in the Jordan River. His ministry fulfills the ancient prophecy of Isaiah 40:3, establishing him as the "voice crying in the wilderness" preparing the way for the Lord. Matthew 3:4 describes John's personal appearance and lifestyle, which were directly tied to his prophetic role and message, serving as a stark contrast to the religious establishment and society's norms, emphasizing his detachment from worldly concerns and reliance solely on God.

Matthew 3 4 Word analysis

• Now John himself (Greek: Αὐτὸς δὲ ὁ Ἰωάννης, Autos de ho Ioannes): The Greek autos here provides an emphatic "he himself" or "even John," highlighting his specific, distinct person. This phrase emphasizes his unique identity and role. It is not just a John, but the John, setting him apart as a figure of immense significance immediately after establishing his role.

• had a garment (Greek: εἶχεν τὸ ἔνδυμα, eichen to endyma): Endyma is a general term for clothing. The focus here is not just on having clothing but on the type of clothing, which conveyed a powerful message.

• of camel's hair (Greek: ἐκ τριχῶν καμήλου, ek trichon kamēlou): This refers to a coarse, rough fabric, unlike the soft wool worn by the elite. It signifies asceticism, humility, separation from luxury, and a life detached from conventional society. Such rough clothing was characteristic of prophets in ancient Israel, directly echoing Elijah (2 Kgs 1:8). For the Jewish audience, this was an unmistakable sign of a true prophet in the vein of the Old Testament.

• and a leather belt (Greek: καὶ ζώνην δερματίνην, kai zōnen dermatinēn): Also indicative of wilderness living and austerity, and another direct parallel to Elijah. A leather belt was functional and durable, not ornamental.

• around his waist (Greek: περὶ τὴν ὀσφὺν αὐτοῦ, peri tēn osphyn autou): The placement implies readiness for action, as one would gird up their loins. It suggests he was prepared and actively engaged in his ministry.

• and his food (Greek: ἡ τροφὴ αὐτοῦ, hē trophē autou): This highlights his sustenance, completing the picture of his austere existence.

• was locusts (Greek: ἀκρίδες, akrides): Edible insects, readily available in the desert. They were permissible under Mosaic dietary laws (Lev 11:22). Consuming them reinforces his radical simplicity, his identification with the wilderness, and his independence from conventional food sources. It marked him as an individual reliant on raw, basic provision.

• and wild honey (Greek: καὶ μέλι ἄγριον, kai meli agrion): Honey gathered directly from the wild (e.g., from rock crevices or tree hollows), not cultivated honey. It complements the locusts in demonstrating John's reliance on natural, untamed provisions. It also symbolizes God's provision in the wilderness (Exod 16:31, manna tasting like honey).

• Words-group by Words-group analysis:

  • "John himself had a garment of camel's hair and a leather belt around his waist": This entire phrase immediately distinguishes John's external appearance, which was unconventional and reminiscent of Old Testament prophets, particularly Elijah. It served as a visual sermon, preparing people for a radical message and an urgent call to repentance. This ascetic image countered the materialistic and comfortable lifestyle of many religious leaders of the day, signaling John's authentic divine calling.
  • "and his food was locusts and wild honey": This part describes John's sustenance, reinforcing the image of an austere, wilderness-dwelling individual detached from societal amenities. This diet signified both humility and reliance on God's direct provision from the uncultivated land. It underscored his prophetic authenticity and message of a simpler, consecrated life in preparation for the coming kingdom.

Matthew 3 4 Bonus section

• John's lifestyle was a powerful polemic against the prevalent self-righteousness, materialism, and complacency within Judean society, especially among the religious elite. He demonstrated true reliance on God and detachment from worldly comforts.
• The wilderness setting for John's ministry, coupled with his clothing and diet, marked him as distinct from Jerusalem-based religious institutions. He was operating outside the traditional centers of power and religious control.
• His attire and food implicitly challenged the values of status, wealth, and earthly comfort. He showed that true spiritual authority and divine connection do not derive from worldly trappings.
• John's choice of simple, natural, and readily available food demonstrated a sustainability and independence that did not rely on complex human systems, hinting at a renewed simplicity in faith.
• His life preached even before he opened his mouth, visually setting the stage for the uncompromising call to repentance and the radical shift required by the advent of God's Kingdom.

Matthew 3 4 Commentary

Matthew 3:4 is not merely a descriptive detail; it is deeply symbolic, portraying John the Baptist as a bridge between the Old and New Covenants. His garment of camel's hair and leather belt directly paralleled Elijah's attire, signaling to the Jewish audience that the long-awaited prophet, the one prophesied to "restore all things," had arrived (Mal 4:5-6; Matt 17:10-13). This immediate recognition would have imbued his message with profound authority and urgency.

His diet of locusts and wild honey further emphasized his separation from corrupt society and his absolute reliance on God's provision in the harsh wilderness. It depicted a prophet whose life was lived entirely outside the established religious and social structures, thus legitimizing his call for radical repentance rather than superficial ritualism. John's outward austerity mirrored his inward purity and spiritual passion, offering a powerful rebuke to the comfortable and hypocritical religiosity prevalent among many in Israel. His entire being preached his message: preparation for the Messiah requires humble detachment from worldly comforts and earnest seeking of God's ways.