Luke 1:17
Verse
Context
Gabriel Foretells John’s Birth
16Many of the sons of Israel he will turn back to the Lord their God. 17And he will go on before the Lord in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”
Sermons
S.M. Davis
Vance Havner
Zac PoonenZac Poonen
Israel Wayne
John McGregor
Carter ConlonSummary
Commentary
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
He shall go before him - Jesus Christ, in the spirit and power of Elijah; he shall resemble Elijah in his retired and austere manner of life, and in his zeal for the truth, reproving even princes for their crimes; compare Kg1 21:17-24, with Mat 14:4. It was on these accounts that the Prophet Malachi, Mal 4:6, had likened John to this prophet. See also Isa 40:3; and Mal 4:5, Mal 4:6. To turn the hearts of the fathers - Gross ignorance had taken place in the hearts of the Jewish people; they needed a Divine instructer: John is announced as such; by this preaching and manner of life, all classes among the people should be taught the nature of their several places, and the duties respectively incumbent upon them, See Luk 3:10, etc. In these things the greatness of John, mentioned Luk 1:15, is pointed out, Nothing is truly great but what is so in the sight of God. John's greatness arose: 1. From the plenitude of God's Spirit which dwelt in him. 2. From his continual self-denial, and taking up his cross. 3. From his ardent zeal to make Christ known. 4. From his fidelity and courage in rebuking vice. 5. From the reformation which he was the instrument of effecting among the people; reviving among them the spirit of the patriarchs, and preparing their hearts to receive the Lord Jesus. To turn the hearts of the fathers to their children. By a very expressive figure of speech, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and the rest of the patriarchs, are represented here as having their hearts alienated from the Jews, their children, because of their unbelief and disobedience; but that the Baptist should so far succeed in converting them to the Lord their God, that these holy men should again look upon them with delight, and acknowledge them for their children. Some think that by the children, the Gentiles are meant, and by the fathers, the Jews. The disobedient - Or unbelieving, απειθεις, the persons who would no longer credit the predictions of the prophets, relative to the manifestation of the Messiah. Unbelief and disobedience are so intimately connected, that the same word in the sacred writings often serves for both.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
before him--before "the Lord their God" (Luk 1:16). By comparing this with Mal 3:1 and Isa 40:3, it is plainly "Jehovah" in the flesh of Messiah [CALVIN and OLSHAUSEN] before whom John was to go as a herald to announce His approach, and a pioneer o prepare His way. in the spirit--after the model. and power of Elias--not his miraculous power, for John did no miracle" (Joh 10:41), but his power "turning the heart," or with like success in his ministry. Both fell on degenerate times; both witnessed fearlessly for God; neither appeared much save in the direct exercise of their ministry; both were at the head of schools of disciples; the success of both was similar. fathers to the children--taken literally, this denotes the restoration of parental fidelity [MEYER and others], the decay of which is the beginning of religious and social corruption--one prominent feature of the coming revival being put for the whole. But what follows, explanatory of this, rather suggests a figurative sense. If "the disobedient" be "the children," and to "the fathers" belongs "the wisdom of the just" [BENGEL], the meaning will be, "he shall bring back the ancient spirit of the nation into their degenerate children" [CALVIN, &c.]. So Elijah invoked "the God Abraham, Isaac, and Israel," when seeking to "turn their heart back again" (Kg1 18:36-37). to make ready, &c.--more clearly, "to make ready for the Lord a prepared people," to have in readiness a people prepared to welcome Him. Such preparation requires, in every age and every soul, an operation corresponding to the Baptist's ministry.
John Gill Bible Commentary
And he shall go before him,.... The Lord his God, the Lord Jesus Christ, whose forerunner he was; the messenger of him, that according to the prophecies in Isa 40:3 was to go before him, and prepare his ways; as he did by his wonderful conception and birth, which made way for the more easy belief of the conception and birth of the Messiah, by a virgin; and by his preaching the doctrine of repentance, and administering the ordinance of baptism; which, were done to awaken the people's expectation of the Messiah, and that he might be made manifest in Israel, and by pointing him out to them in his preaching: in the spirit and power of Elias: or Elijah, the Syriac and Persic versions add, "the prophet"; John the Baptist, and Elijah, were men much of the same spirit and disposition, and of like power, life, and zeal in religion; and therefore the one goes by the name of the other: they both much conversed in the wilderness; agreed in the austerity of their lives; their habit and dress were much alike; they were both restorers of religion, when very low, and much decayed; were famous for their faithfulness in reproving the vices of kings, and for their warm zeal for true religion, and for the persecution they endured for the sake of it: to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children in Mal 4:6 which is the prophecy referred to, it is added, and the heart of the children to their fathers; which some understand, of his turning the degenerate offspring of the Jews, to the sentiments of their forefathers, and causing them to agree with them in their notions of the Messiah: others, of the turning of the Jews to Christ, and his apostles; and others, of his being a means, through his ministry and baptism, of reconciling Jews and Gentiles together, which is the great business of the Gospel dispensation, ushered in by John; and who preached that all men should believe in Christ, and baptized publicans and Roman soldiers, as well as Jews; and which sense pretty much agrees with the interpretation the Jews put upon the prophecy, as referring to Elijah the Tishbite, whom they expect in person, before the coming of the Messiah: say (u) they, "Elijah comes to defile and to cleanse (i.e. to pronounce what things are clean or unclean), and to remove afar off, and to bring near (i.e. to determine what families are legitimate or illegitimate). R. Simeon says, "to compose differences"; and the wise men say, neither to remove, nor to bring near, but , "to make peace" in the world; as it is said, "behold, I send unto you Elijah the prophet", &c. "and he shall turn the heart of the fathers", &c. But the true meaning is, that John the Baptist, who is meant by Elias, should be an instrument of turning fathers with their children, and children with their fathers, to the Lord; that he should be a means of converting both fathers and children, one as well as another; and to gather persons of every age and station; for the particle which we render "to", is the same as "with", as Kimchi on the text observes: "and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just". By the "disobedient" are meant, either Jews or Gentiles; some understand it of the Gentiles, who were children of disobedience, before the light of the Gospel came among them: but rather the former are meant, who were a disobedient, rebellious, and gainsaying people; who were gone off from the wisdom, knowledge, and religion, of the just, or righteous ones, their forefathers; who prophesied of Christ, rejoiced to see his day, longed for him, and believed in him: now John was to be an instrument of turning some of the unbelieving Jews, to the true knowledge of salvation by Christ; which their righteous progenitors waited for, had a right knowledge of, and an interest in: and of leading them either into the Gospel of Christ, that wisdom of God is a mystery; the manifold wisdom of God, in which he has abounded in all wisdom and prudence: and which the righteous men among the Jews, searched diligently into, attained some knowledge of, and which even the holy angels desire to look into; so the patriarchs were called just, or righteous; as righteous Abel, just Noah, &c. and so the Jewish fathers: hence in the Targum on Jer 12:5 mention is made of thy fathers, "the just", who were of old: or to Christ himself, who is the wisdom of God, and in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, to know him, and believe in him; who in the same Targum on Jer 23:5 is called , "the Messiah of the just", To make ready a people prepared for the Lord. The Vulgate Latin and Syriac versions read, "a perfect people"; and the Persic version, "all the people": not all the people of the Jews, but God's elect among them who from all eternity were "prepared", as a people in a covenant relation, as the portion of Christ, and as his spouse and bride, and as such, given to him; they were in electing grace, vessels of mercy, afore prepared for glory; and heaven, as a kingdom, was prepared for them from the foundation of the world: they were provided with all spiritual blessings, which were prepared for them, and bestowed on them in heavenly places, in Christ, before the foundation of the world; even all their grace, and all their glory; yea, even their good works are such, which God has foreordained, or foreprepared that they should walk in. Now, the work of John the Baptist, was "to make ready" this people, by pointing out to them, in a ministerial way, wherein their readiness lay, to meet the Lord, and be for ever with him in heaven; not in a civil, moral, or legal righteousness; or in outward humiliation for, and abstinence from sin; nor in a submission to Gospel ordinances, and in a mere profession of religion, and in an observance of a round of duties; but in justification by the righteousness of Christ, and in regeneration and sanctification, by his Spirit and grace; the one giving a right to, the other a meetness for the heavenly inheritance: and John; and so any other Gospel minister, may be said to make ready a people, in this sense; when they are the instruments of the regeneration and conversion of sinners, and of leading them to the righteousness of Christ, for their justification before God, and acceptance with him, (u) Misn. Ediot, c. 8. sect. 7.
Luke 1:17
Gabriel Foretells John’s Birth
16Many of the sons of Israel he will turn back to the Lord their God. 17And he will go on before the Lord in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
Changing the Heart of a Rebel
By S.M. Davis4.7K1:03:142SA 15:12SA 15:6PRO 23:26MAL 4:6MAT 6:33LUK 1:17In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of parents being committed to long-term change rather than seeking quick fixes when dealing with rebellious children. The speaker shares that while these principles can bring about positive changes in children, there is a danger of parents becoming complacent once they see initial improvements. The speaker references Matthew 12:43-45, which talks about an unclean spirit leaving a person temporarily but returning later to find the house clean. The speaker also highlights the influence of various external factors, such as media, friends, and idols, on children's hearts and behavior. The sermon concludes with a personal testimony of a family's journey in restoring their child's heart through intentional actions and the work of God.
Knowing What to Do
By Vance Havner4.4K26:10RevivalDAN 12:4MAT 24:44LUK 1:17LUK 4:24ROM 14:171CO 12:28REV 2:20In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of understanding the overall purpose of God in history when discussing current events in the light of the Bible. He uses the story of Rip and the wrong George to illustrate how people often miss the mark when it comes to understanding God's plan. The preacher also highlights the futility of trying to create a kingdom of heaven out of unregenerate humanity and warns against the dangers of pursuing political projects without considering God's purpose. He concludes by discussing the promise of the Lord's return and the need for righteousness, as well as the potential consequences of ignoring God's warnings and living in moral decay.
(The Fire of God) the Baptism of Fire
By Zac Poonen2.8K58:53RepentanceSpiritual ResponsibilityFire Of GodMAL 4:5MAT 3:2LUK 1:17REV 2:5Zac Poonen emphasizes the critical message of repentance as preached by John the Baptist, urging the church to prepare for the second coming of Christ. He highlights the need for a genuine change of heart towards sin, warning against the dangers of a faith that lacks true repentance. Poonen stresses the responsibility of fathers to guide their children spiritually, asserting that the church cannot replace parental guidance in leading children to Christ. He calls for a baptism of fire, which signifies a deep, transformative experience with the Holy Spirit, essential for true discipleship. The sermon serves as a wake-up call for believers to take their spiritual lives seriously and to seek a genuine relationship with God.
Ready for Christs Coming - Part 4
By Zac Poonen1.2K59:18MAL 4:5MAT 11:15LUK 1:17
This sermon emphasizes the importance of being part of the remnant in the last days, just like those who were ready for the first coming of Christ. It highlights the need to prepare for Christ's second coming by examining the examples of Joseph, Mary, Zacharias, Elizabeth, Simeon, Anna, the shepherds, and even non-Jewish believers who were ready for Christ's arrival. The sermon stresses the significance of living by conscience, surrendering to God, and being part of a church that prepares people for the Lord's return.
Revival in the Home - Part 1
By Israel Wayne99645:43PSA 127:3PRO 22:6MAL 4:5LUK 1:17EPH 6:4
This sermon emphasizes the importance of fathers turning their hearts to their children as a key to societal transformation and spiritual revival. It traces the failure of the nation of Israel to fulfill God's mandate and highlights the critical role of fathers in shaping the next generation. The message underscores the need for fathers to prioritize biblical instruction, cultural influence, and nurturing their children in the fear of the Lord to combat the negative influences of the world. It calls for a return to God's design for families and the raising of godly offspring to impact the culture and prepare a people for the Lord.
Ruth - Part 6
By John McGregor79538:33RuthGEN 29:31RUT 4:6RUT 4:13MAL 4:6MAT 6:33LUK 1:17In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of having a godly heritage and how it can still happen today. Despite the challenges and distractions of the world, the preacher encourages listeners to trust in God and allow Him to work in their lives. The preacher shares personal experiences and examples of how God's plan can lead to something good. The sermon also highlights the significance of prioritizing God and His word in our lives, as demonstrated by the preacher's grandfather who would gather the family to read the Bible together.
The Mark of the Godly
By Carter Conlon41337:46UnityEXO 20:1MAL 3:6MAL 4:1MAL 4:5MAT 6:33LUK 1:17ACT 9:20In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of unity and compassion within the body of Christ. He encourages believers to come together with one heart and one voice, fighting against division that weakens the church. The speaker also highlights the power of speech and how it can impact both older believers and young people who have been wounded or pushed aside. He uses the example of Mark, who despite being let down, chose to trust again and went on to write one of the four gospels in the Bible. The sermon concludes with a reminder of the values of the early church, including selflessness and a deep concern for the glory of God and the souls of men. The speaker also references the book of Malachi, emphasizing the importance of recognizing when our ways and speech do not align with God's and seeking His instruction and correction.
Introducing the Bridegroom God in the Nt
By Mike Bickle5558:46Bridegroom GodBridegroom LoveIntimacy with ChristISA 54:5JER 31:32EZK 16:8HOS 2:19JOL 2:28MAL 4:5MAT 11:11LUK 1:17JHN 3:29REV 19:7Mike Bickle introduces the concept of the Bridegroom God in the New Testament, emphasizing John the Baptist's declaration of Jesus as the Bridegroom and the implications of this revelation for believers. He explains how John viewed his role as a friend of the Bridegroom, focusing on preparing others to receive the love of Christ. Bickle highlights the importance of understanding God as a passionate lover, which transforms our identity and purpose. He encourages believers to pursue intimacy with God, which leads to a deeper understanding of their own worth and calling. Ultimately, the sermon calls for a generation to embrace the Bridegroom revelation and live as forerunners in preparation for Christ's return.
The Way to Heavenly Fullness - Part 2
By T. Austin-Sparks0Zeal for GodAbandonment to God's Will1KI 17:81KI 18:331KI 19:142KI 2:1ISA 59:17MAT 26:39LUK 1:17JHN 2:17HEB 10:7JAS 5:17T. Austin-Sparks emphasizes the zeal of Elijah as a model for believers, illustrating how true jealousy for the Lord's rights leads to heavenly fullness. He explains that Elijah's life exemplifies a complete abandonment to God's interests, showcasing how this zeal is reflected in prayer, obedience, and self-effacement. The connection between Elijah and John the Baptist highlights the continuity of this spirit, culminating in the recognition of Jesus as the fulfillment of God's rights. Sparks urges believers to prioritize God's place in their lives, asserting that true spiritual fullness comes from surrendering personal interests for God's glory.
"Filled With the Holy Spirit"
By F.B. Meyer0Living as a Conduit of God's PowerEmpowerment by the Holy SpiritLUK 1:17ACT 2:4ACT 4:31GAL 5:16EPH 5:18F.B. Meyer emphasizes the transformative power of being filled with the Holy Spirit, illustrating how one individual can become a powerful conduit for God's grace and strength. He reflects on the life of Elijah, who, despite the overwhelming idolatry of his time, was able to turn the tide back to God through the Spirit's empowerment. Meyer urges believers to seek this filling not for personal gain but for the glory of God, highlighting the necessity of purity and surrender to the Holy Spirit's work. He reassures that this filling is available to all believers, as it was in the early Church, and that it leads to victory over sin, the indwelling of Christ, and empowerment for service. Ultimately, Meyer calls for a renewed commitment to being filled with the Holy Spirit to fulfill God's purpose in the world.
Only Those Prepared Here
By Thomas Shepard02CH 12:14PSA 10:17MAL 1:14LUK 1:17ROM 9:231CO 15:502CO 5:8PHP 3:20HEB 12:14REV 21:27Thomas Shepard preaches about the importance of being ready and prepared in this life for Christ to enjoy eternal communion with Him. He emphasizes that men are naturally unfit for heaven and must be prepared by God's grace to partake in fellowship with Christ. The honor of the Lord Jesus is highlighted, as believers owe it to Him to be in readiness for His return. The sermon concludes with a call to self-reflection and repentance for those who are unready, emphasizing the urgency of being prepared to meet the Lord.
Dying Thoughts: Consisting of a Few Unfinished Hints, Written by Dr. Gill a Little Before His Decease.
By John Gill0Hope in ChristPreparation for DeathMAT 24:44MAT 25:10LUK 1:17PHP 3:9John Gill reflects on the profound topic of death, emphasizing the necessity of being spiritually prepared for it. He warns against common misconceptions about readiness, such as relying on a well-spent life or good deeds, and instead highlights the importance of regeneration, sanctification, and faith in Christ's righteousness. Gill encourages believers to view death not as a terror but as a transition to eternal life with Christ, urging them to cultivate a heart that longs for this union. He reassures that through Christ, the sting of death is removed, and believers can face it with hope and confidence. Ultimately, Gill's message is one of comfort and readiness, urging the faithful to be vigilant and spiritually prepared for their eventual departure from this world.
Concerning the Substance of Our Religion Who Are Called Quakers
By Isaac Penington0DEU 30:6PSA 19:7ISA 1:27LUK 1:17JHN 1:9JHN 14:6GAL 5:17EPH 5:131JN 3:7Isaac Penington preaches about the essence of Quaker religion, emphasizing the discernment between the seeds of enmity and love, flesh and Spirit, and the journey of the soul from bondage to freedom in God's mercy. He describes the struggles of the soul in recognizing its sinful state, longing for deliverance, and the hope that springs from the true seed within. Penington illustrates the process of judgment, deliverance, and the ongoing battle between the flesh and the Spirit, highlighting the need for surrender, faith, and obedience to Christ's inward work of regeneration and sanctification.
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
He shall go before him - Jesus Christ, in the spirit and power of Elijah; he shall resemble Elijah in his retired and austere manner of life, and in his zeal for the truth, reproving even princes for their crimes; compare Kg1 21:17-24, with Mat 14:4. It was on these accounts that the Prophet Malachi, Mal 4:6, had likened John to this prophet. See also Isa 40:3; and Mal 4:5, Mal 4:6. To turn the hearts of the fathers - Gross ignorance had taken place in the hearts of the Jewish people; they needed a Divine instructer: John is announced as such; by this preaching and manner of life, all classes among the people should be taught the nature of their several places, and the duties respectively incumbent upon them, See Luk 3:10, etc. In these things the greatness of John, mentioned Luk 1:15, is pointed out, Nothing is truly great but what is so in the sight of God. John's greatness arose: 1. From the plenitude of God's Spirit which dwelt in him. 2. From his continual self-denial, and taking up his cross. 3. From his ardent zeal to make Christ known. 4. From his fidelity and courage in rebuking vice. 5. From the reformation which he was the instrument of effecting among the people; reviving among them the spirit of the patriarchs, and preparing their hearts to receive the Lord Jesus. To turn the hearts of the fathers to their children. By a very expressive figure of speech, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and the rest of the patriarchs, are represented here as having their hearts alienated from the Jews, their children, because of their unbelief and disobedience; but that the Baptist should so far succeed in converting them to the Lord their God, that these holy men should again look upon them with delight, and acknowledge them for their children. Some think that by the children, the Gentiles are meant, and by the fathers, the Jews. The disobedient - Or unbelieving, απειθεις, the persons who would no longer credit the predictions of the prophets, relative to the manifestation of the Messiah. Unbelief and disobedience are so intimately connected, that the same word in the sacred writings often serves for both.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
before him--before "the Lord their God" (Luk 1:16). By comparing this with Mal 3:1 and Isa 40:3, it is plainly "Jehovah" in the flesh of Messiah [CALVIN and OLSHAUSEN] before whom John was to go as a herald to announce His approach, and a pioneer o prepare His way. in the spirit--after the model. and power of Elias--not his miraculous power, for John did no miracle" (Joh 10:41), but his power "turning the heart," or with like success in his ministry. Both fell on degenerate times; both witnessed fearlessly for God; neither appeared much save in the direct exercise of their ministry; both were at the head of schools of disciples; the success of both was similar. fathers to the children--taken literally, this denotes the restoration of parental fidelity [MEYER and others], the decay of which is the beginning of religious and social corruption--one prominent feature of the coming revival being put for the whole. But what follows, explanatory of this, rather suggests a figurative sense. If "the disobedient" be "the children," and to "the fathers" belongs "the wisdom of the just" [BENGEL], the meaning will be, "he shall bring back the ancient spirit of the nation into their degenerate children" [CALVIN, &c.]. So Elijah invoked "the God Abraham, Isaac, and Israel," when seeking to "turn their heart back again" (Kg1 18:36-37). to make ready, &c.--more clearly, "to make ready for the Lord a prepared people," to have in readiness a people prepared to welcome Him. Such preparation requires, in every age and every soul, an operation corresponding to the Baptist's ministry.
John Gill Bible Commentary
And he shall go before him,.... The Lord his God, the Lord Jesus Christ, whose forerunner he was; the messenger of him, that according to the prophecies in Isa 40:3 was to go before him, and prepare his ways; as he did by his wonderful conception and birth, which made way for the more easy belief of the conception and birth of the Messiah, by a virgin; and by his preaching the doctrine of repentance, and administering the ordinance of baptism; which, were done to awaken the people's expectation of the Messiah, and that he might be made manifest in Israel, and by pointing him out to them in his preaching: in the spirit and power of Elias: or Elijah, the Syriac and Persic versions add, "the prophet"; John the Baptist, and Elijah, were men much of the same spirit and disposition, and of like power, life, and zeal in religion; and therefore the one goes by the name of the other: they both much conversed in the wilderness; agreed in the austerity of their lives; their habit and dress were much alike; they were both restorers of religion, when very low, and much decayed; were famous for their faithfulness in reproving the vices of kings, and for their warm zeal for true religion, and for the persecution they endured for the sake of it: to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children in Mal 4:6 which is the prophecy referred to, it is added, and the heart of the children to their fathers; which some understand, of his turning the degenerate offspring of the Jews, to the sentiments of their forefathers, and causing them to agree with them in their notions of the Messiah: others, of the turning of the Jews to Christ, and his apostles; and others, of his being a means, through his ministry and baptism, of reconciling Jews and Gentiles together, which is the great business of the Gospel dispensation, ushered in by John; and who preached that all men should believe in Christ, and baptized publicans and Roman soldiers, as well as Jews; and which sense pretty much agrees with the interpretation the Jews put upon the prophecy, as referring to Elijah the Tishbite, whom they expect in person, before the coming of the Messiah: say (u) they, "Elijah comes to defile and to cleanse (i.e. to pronounce what things are clean or unclean), and to remove afar off, and to bring near (i.e. to determine what families are legitimate or illegitimate). R. Simeon says, "to compose differences"; and the wise men say, neither to remove, nor to bring near, but , "to make peace" in the world; as it is said, "behold, I send unto you Elijah the prophet", &c. "and he shall turn the heart of the fathers", &c. But the true meaning is, that John the Baptist, who is meant by Elias, should be an instrument of turning fathers with their children, and children with their fathers, to the Lord; that he should be a means of converting both fathers and children, one as well as another; and to gather persons of every age and station; for the particle which we render "to", is the same as "with", as Kimchi on the text observes: "and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just". By the "disobedient" are meant, either Jews or Gentiles; some understand it of the Gentiles, who were children of disobedience, before the light of the Gospel came among them: but rather the former are meant, who were a disobedient, rebellious, and gainsaying people; who were gone off from the wisdom, knowledge, and religion, of the just, or righteous ones, their forefathers; who prophesied of Christ, rejoiced to see his day, longed for him, and believed in him: now John was to be an instrument of turning some of the unbelieving Jews, to the true knowledge of salvation by Christ; which their righteous progenitors waited for, had a right knowledge of, and an interest in: and of leading them either into the Gospel of Christ, that wisdom of God is a mystery; the manifold wisdom of God, in which he has abounded in all wisdom and prudence: and which the righteous men among the Jews, searched diligently into, attained some knowledge of, and which even the holy angels desire to look into; so the patriarchs were called just, or righteous; as righteous Abel, just Noah, &c. and so the Jewish fathers: hence in the Targum on Jer 12:5 mention is made of thy fathers, "the just", who were of old: or to Christ himself, who is the wisdom of God, and in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, to know him, and believe in him; who in the same Targum on Jer 23:5 is called , "the Messiah of the just", To make ready a people prepared for the Lord. The Vulgate Latin and Syriac versions read, "a perfect people"; and the Persic version, "all the people": not all the people of the Jews, but God's elect among them who from all eternity were "prepared", as a people in a covenant relation, as the portion of Christ, and as his spouse and bride, and as such, given to him; they were in electing grace, vessels of mercy, afore prepared for glory; and heaven, as a kingdom, was prepared for them from the foundation of the world: they were provided with all spiritual blessings, which were prepared for them, and bestowed on them in heavenly places, in Christ, before the foundation of the world; even all their grace, and all their glory; yea, even their good works are such, which God has foreordained, or foreprepared that they should walk in. Now, the work of John the Baptist, was "to make ready" this people, by pointing out to them, in a ministerial way, wherein their readiness lay, to meet the Lord, and be for ever with him in heaven; not in a civil, moral, or legal righteousness; or in outward humiliation for, and abstinence from sin; nor in a submission to Gospel ordinances, and in a mere profession of religion, and in an observance of a round of duties; but in justification by the righteousness of Christ, and in regeneration and sanctification, by his Spirit and grace; the one giving a right to, the other a meetness for the heavenly inheritance: and John; and so any other Gospel minister, may be said to make ready a people, in this sense; when they are the instruments of the regeneration and conversion of sinners, and of leading them to the righteousness of Christ, for their justification before God, and acceptance with him, (u) Misn. Ediot, c. 8. sect. 7.