And the people[1] asked him: “What then[2] shall we do?” He answered: “He that hath two coats, let him give to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do in like manner.” The soldiers[3] also asked what they should do, and John said to them: “Do violence to no man, neither calumniate any man; and be content with your pay.” The Publicans[4] too asked what they were to do, and he answered: “Do nothing more than that which is appointed you.”
Now the austere appearance of the Baptist and his startling exhortation led the people to believe that he was the Messias[5]. John, perceiving this, told them that he was not the Messias, but that there was One coming, mightier than he, the latchet of whose shoes he was not worthy to loose[6].
He told them, moreover, that he, indeed, baptized with water [7], but that the Saviour who was to come after him, would baptize with the Holy Ghost and with fire[8]. “Whose fan is in His hand,
- ↑ The people. The rich and proud Pharisees and Sadducees were not at all moved by St. John’s severe words; but the common people were deeply moved, and ready to obey the precepts of the holy prophet.
- ↑ What then. Why did they say “then”? They meant: “If the case stands as you say it does, and the moment has arrived when we must decide what to do, so as not to be cast into hell, what are we to do?”
- ↑ The soldiers. The soldiers were principally pagans, for the Jews were exempt from military service. As the soldiers, in time of peace, were employed as police, and supported the publicans in their collection of taxes, they had many opportunities of being oppressive and violent.
- ↑ The Publicans. These were collectors who gathered the taxes claimed by the Roman rulers. They were for the most part pagans, and were hated and despised by the Jews, partly because they were dishonest and demanded more than was due, and partly because all taxes paid to the Roman emperors were detestable in the eyes of the Jews. In reply to their inquiry, St. John told them to demand no more money than was required, the amount of the taxes being exactly and precisely laid down.
- ↑ The Messias. The Messias was at this time generally looked for. The deep impression made by John’s power and holiness, which indicated him to be a prophet of God, very naturally gave rise to the thought that he might perhaps be the expected Messias.
- ↑ To loose. To loosen the straps of his master's sandals was the duty of a servant; therefore John meant to say: The Messias who will come after me is so high above me that I am not worthy to be even His servant.
- ↑ With water. That is, washing outwardly with water only, in token of internal penance.
- ↑ With fire. He will purify you inwardly, even as fire purifies metal, and He will sanctify you by the Holy Ghost.
