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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Matthew 3:4 John wore a garment of camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/matthew/3-4.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/15/40_Mat_03_04.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Matthew 3:4 - The Mission of John the Baptist" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="John wore a garment of camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist. 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His food was locusts and wild honey. <a href="/nlt/matthew/3.htm">New Living Translation</a> 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. <a href="/esv/matthew/3.htm">English Standard Version</a> Now John wore a garment of camel’s hair and a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. <a href="/bsb/matthew/3.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> John wore a garment of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. <a href="/blb/matthew/3.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> And John himself had his garment of camel's hair, and a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. <a href="/kjv/matthew/3.htm">King James Bible</a> 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. <a href="/nkjv/matthew/3.htm">New King James Version</a> Now John himself was clothed in camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist; and his food was locusts and wild honey. <a href="/nasb_/matthew/3.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Now John himself had a garment of camel’s hair and a leather belt around his waist; and his food was locusts and wild honey. <a href="/nasb/matthew/3.htm">NASB 1995</a> Now John himself had a garment of camel&#8217s hair and a leather belt around his waist; and his food was locusts and wild honey. <a href="/nasb77/matthew/3.htm">NASB 1977 </a> Now John himself had a garment of camel’s hair, and a leather belt about his waist; and his food was locusts and wild honey. <a href="/lsb/matthew/3.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Now John himself had a garment of camel’s hair and a leather belt around his waist; and his food was locusts and wild honey. <a href="/amp/matthew/3.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Now this same John had clothing made of camel’s hair and a [wide] leather band around his waist; and his food was locusts and wild honey. <a href="/csb/matthew/3.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Now John had a camel-hair garment with a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. <a href="/hcsb/matthew/3.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> John himself had a camel-hair garment with a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. <a href="/asv/matthew/3.htm">American Standard Version</a> Now John himself had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his food was locusts and wild honey. <a href="/cev/matthew/3.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> John wore clothes made of camel's hair. He had a leather strap around his waist and ate grasshoppers and wild honey. <a href="/erv/matthew/3.htm">English Revised Version</a> Now John himself had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his food was locusts and wild honey. <a href="/gwt/matthew/3.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> John wore clothes made from camel's hair and had a leather belt around his waist. His diet consisted of locusts and wild honey. <a href="/gnt/matthew/3.htm">Good News Translation</a> John's clothes were made of camel's hair; he wore a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. <a href="/isv/matthew/3.htm">International Standard Version</a> John had clothing made of camel's hair and wore a leather belt around his waist. His diet consisted of grasshoppers and wild honey. <a href="/msb/matthew/3.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> John wore a garment of camel?s hair and a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. <a href="/net/matthew/3.htm">NET Bible</a> Now John wore clothing made from camel's hair with a leather belt around his waist, and his diet consisted of locusts and wild honey. <a href="/nheb/matthew/3.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> Now John himself wore clothing made of camel's hair and with a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. <a href="/wbt/matthew/3.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And the same John had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his food was locusts and wild honey. <a href="/wey/matthew/3.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> This man John wore a garment of camel's hair, and a loincloth of leather; and he lived upon locusts and wild honey. <a href="/web/matthew/3.htm">World English Bible</a> Now John himself wore clothing made of camel’s hair with a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/matthew/3.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And this John had his clothing of camel’s hair, and a girdle of skin around his loins, and his nourishment was locusts and honey of the field. <a href="/blb/matthew/3.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> And John himself had his garment of camel's hair, and a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. <a href="/ylt/matthew/3.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And this John had his clothing of camel's hair, and a girdle of skin round his loins, and his nourishment was locusts and honey of the field. <a href="/slt/matthew/3.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And this John had his garment from camel's hair, and a leather girdle about his loins, and his food was locusts and wild honey.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/matthew/3.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And the same John had his garment of camels' hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins: and his meat was locusts and wild honey. <a href="/cpdv/matthew/3.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> Now the same John had a garment made from the hair of camels, and a leather belt around his waist. And his food was locusts and wild honey. <a href="/nabre/matthew/3.htm">New American Bible</a> John wore clothing made of camel’s hair and had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. <a href="/nrsvce/matthew/3.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Now John wore clothing of camel’s hair with a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/matthew/3.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> Now the same John’s clothes were made of camel’s hair, and he had leathern belts around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/matthew/3.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> And this Yohannan had his garment of camel hair and wore a leather garment around his waist, and his food was locusts and honey of the field.<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/matthew/3.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> But the same John had his clothing of camel's hair, and a girdle of leather around his loins, and his food was locusts and wild honey.<CM> <a href="/godbey/matthew/3.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> And the same John had his raiment from camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his food was locusts and wild honey. <a href="/haweis/matthew/3.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> Now this John had his garment made of camel?s hair, and a girdle of leather about his loins, and his food was locusts and wild honey.<CM> <a href="/mace/matthew/3.htm">Mace New Testament</a> now John wore a coat made of camels hair, with a leathern girdle about his waist; and his food was locusts and wild hony. <a href="/wey/matthew/3.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> This man John wore a garment of camel's hair, and a loincloth of leather; and he lived upon locusts and wild honey. <a href="/worrell/matthew/3.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> And John himself had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his food was locusts and wild honey. <a href="/worsley/matthew/3.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> And this John had his clothes of camels hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins, and his food was locusts and wild honey. <a href="/parallel/matthew/3-4.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hriiyJYqzvc?start=477" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/matthew/3.htm">The Mission of John the Baptist</a> …3This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: “A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for Him.’ ” 4<a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc."></a> <a href="/greek/2491.htm" title="2491: Iōannēs (N-NMS) -- Of Hebrew origin; Joannes, the name of four Israelites.">John</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: Autos (PPro-NM3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons."></a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ho (Art-NMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/2192.htm" title="2192: eichen (V-IIA-3S) -- To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.">wore</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: to (Art-ANS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autou (PPro-GM3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons."></a> <a href="/greek/1742.htm" title="1742: endyma (N-ANS) -- A garment, raiment, clothing. From enduo; apparel.">a garment</a> <a href="/greek/575.htm" title="575: apo (Prep) -- From, away from. A primary particle; off, i.e. Away, in various senses.">of</a> <a href="/greek/2574.htm" title="2574: kamēlou (N-GFS) -- A camel or dromedary. Of Hebrew origin; a camel.">camel’s</a> <a href="/greek/2359.htm" title="2359: trichōn (N-GFP) -- Hair (of the head or of animals). Genitive case trichos, etc. of uncertain derivation; hair.">hair,</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">with</a> <a href="/greek/1193.htm" title="1193: dermatinēn (Adj-AFS) -- Made of hide, leathern. From derma; made of hide.">a leather</a> <a href="/greek/2223.htm" title="2223: zōnēn (N-AFS) -- Probably akin to the base of zugos; a belt; by implication, a pocket.">belt</a> <a href="/greek/4012.htm" title="4012: peri (Prep) -- From the base of peran; properly, through, i.e. Around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time.">around</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tēn (Art-AFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autou (PPro-GM3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">his</a> <a href="/greek/3751.htm" title="3751: osphyn (N-AFS) -- The loins. Of uncertain affinity; the loin, i.e. The hip; internally procreative power.">waist.</a> <a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc."></a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: hē (Art-NFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autou (PPro-GM3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">His</a> <a href="/greek/5160.htm" title="5160: trophē (N-NFS) -- Food, nourishment, maintenance. From trepho; nourishment; by implication, rations.">food</a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: ēn (V-IIA-3S) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.">was</a> <a href="/greek/200.htm" title="200: akrides (N-NFP) -- A locust. Apparently from the same as akron; a locust.">locusts</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/66.htm" title="66: agrion (Adj-NNS) -- Wild, fierce. From agros; wild, literally or figuratively.">wild</a> <a href="/greek/3192.htm" title="3192: meli (N-NNS) -- Honey. Apparently a primary word; honey.">honey.</a> 5People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region around the Jordan.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/mark/1-6.htm">Mark 1:6</a> John was clothed in camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. <a href="/2_kings/1-8.htm">2 Kings 1:8</a> “He was a hairy man,” they answered, “with a leather belt around his waist.” “It was Elijah the Tishbite,” said the king. <a href="/leviticus/11-22.htm">Leviticus 11:22</a> Of these you may eat any kind of locust, katydid, cricket, or grasshopper. <a href="/zechariah/13-4.htm">Zechariah 13:4</a> And on that day every prophet who prophesies will be ashamed of his vision, and he will not put on a hairy cloak in order to deceive. <a href="/malachi/4-5.htm">Malachi 4:5</a> Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and awesome Day of the LORD. <a href="/matthew/11-18.htm">Matthew 11:18</a> For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon!’ <a href="/luke/1-17.htm">Luke 1:17</a> And 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.” <a href="/luke/7-33.htm">Luke 7:33</a> For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon!’ <a href="/john/1-21.htm">John 1:21</a> “Then who are you?” they inquired. “Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” He answered, “No.” <a href="/john/1-23.htm">John 1:23</a> John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet: “I am a voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way for the Lord.’” <a href="/john/3-28.htm">John 3:28</a> You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Christ, but am sent ahead of Him.’ <a href="/acts/13-24.htm">Acts 13:24</a> Before the arrival of Jesus, John preached a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. <a href="/acts/19-4.htm">Acts 19:4</a> Paul explained: “John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the One coming after him, that is, in Jesus.” <a href="/isaiah/40-3.htm">Isaiah 40:3</a> A voice of one calling: “Prepare the way for the LORD in the wilderness; make a straight highway for our God in the desert. <a href="/1_kings/17-4.htm">1 Kings 17:4-6</a> And you are to drink from the brook, and I have commanded the ravens to feed you there.” / So Elijah did what the LORD had told him, and he went and lived by the Brook of Cherith, east of the Jordan. / The ravens would bring him bread and meat in the morning and evening, and he would drink from the brook.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And the same John had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leather girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey.his raiment.<a href="/matthew/11-8.htm">Matthew 11:8</a> But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings' houses.<a href="/2_kings/1-8.htm">2 Kings 1:8</a> And 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.<a href="/zechariah/13-4.htm">Zechariah 13:4</a> And 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:and his.<a href="/matthew/11-18.htm">Matthew 11:18</a> For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a devil.<a href="/leviticus/11-22.htm">Leviticus 11:22</a> Even 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.wild.<a href="/deuteronomy/32-13.htm">Deuteronomy 32:13</a> He made him ride on the high places of the earth, that he might eat the increase of the fields; and he made him to suck honey out of the rock, and oil out of the flinty rock;<a href="/1_samuel/14-25.htm">1 Samuel 14:25-27</a> And all they of the land came to a wood; and there was honey upon the ground… <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/micah/4-7.htm">Band</a> <a href="/daniel/10-5.htm">Belt</a> <a href="/genesis/31-34.htm">Camel's</a> <a href="/malachi/2-16.htm">Clothed</a> <a href="/malachi/3-14.htm">Clothing</a> <a href="/malachi/3-11.htm">Field</a> <a href="/malachi/3-10.htm">Food</a> <a href="/malachi/2-16.htm">Garment</a> <a href="/ezekiel/23-15.htm">Girdle</a> <a href="/micah/1-16.htm">Hair</a> <a href="/ezekiel/27-17.htm">Honey</a> <a href="/matthew/3-1.htm">John</a> <a href="/acts/19-4.htm">John's</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/26-14.htm">Leather</a> <a href="/nahum/2-10.htm">Loins</a> <a href="/malachi/3-10.htm">Meat</a> <a href="/proverbs/27-27.htm">Nourishment</a> <a href="/zechariah/3-4.htm">Raiment</a> <a href="/zechariah/14-14.htm">Round</a> <a href="/micah/3-3.htm">Skin</a> <a href="/nahum/2-1.htm">Waist</a> <a href="/joel/1-20.htm">Wild</a> <a href="/psalms/109-18.htm">Wore</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/matthew/26-47.htm">Band</a> <a href="/mark/1-6.htm">Belt</a> <a href="/mark/1-6.htm">Camel's</a> <a href="/matthew/6-29.htm">Clothed</a> <a href="/matthew/6-25.htm">Clothing</a> <a href="/matthew/6-28.htm">Field</a> <a href="/matthew/4-2.htm">Food</a> <a href="/matthew/5-40.htm">Garment</a> <a href="/mark/1-6.htm">Girdle</a> <a href="/matthew/5-36.htm">Hair</a> <a href="/mark/1-6.htm">Honey</a> <a href="/matthew/3-13.htm">John</a> <a href="/matthew/9-14.htm">John's</a> <a href="/mark/1-6.htm">Leather</a> <a href="/acts/2-30.htm">Loins</a> <a href="/matthew/6-25.htm">Meat</a> <a href="/matthew/24-45.htm">Nourishment</a> <a href="/matthew/6-25.htm">Raiment</a> <a href="/matthew/3-5.htm">Round</a> <a href="/mark/1-6.htm">Skin</a> <a href="/mark/1-6.htm">Waist</a> <a href="/matthew/6-28.htm">Wild</a> <a href="/mark/1-6.htm">Wore</a><div class="vheading2">Matthew 3</div>1. <a href="/matthew/3-1.htm">John preaches: his office, life, and baptism.</a> 7. <a href="/matthew/3-7.htm">He reprimands the Pharisees,</a> 13. <a href="/matthew/3-13.htm">and baptizes Jesus in Jordan.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/matthew/3.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/matthew/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/matthew/3.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>John wore a garment of camel’s hair John the Baptist's clothing is reminiscent of the prophet Elijah, who also wore a garment of hair and a leather belt (<a href="/2_kings/1-8.htm">2 Kings 1:8</a>). This connection is significant because John is often seen as the forerunner to Christ, fulfilling the prophecy of Elijah's return (<a href="/malachi/4-5.htm">Malachi 4:5-6</a>). Camel's hair was a coarse material, indicating John's ascetic lifestyle and his separation from the comforts of society. This attire symbolized his prophetic role and his call to repentance, aligning with the tradition of prophets who often lived on the fringes of society to deliver God's message.with a leather belt around his waist The leather belt further emphasizes John's connection to Elijah, reinforcing his role as a prophet in the tradition of the Old Testament. In biblical times, a leather belt was practical for securing garments and carrying small items, reflecting John's simple and utilitarian lifestyle. This detail highlights John's focus on his mission rather than material wealth or status, embodying the call to repentance and humility.His food was locusts and wild honey Locusts were considered a permissible food according to Levitical law (<a href="/leviticus/11-22.htm">Leviticus 11:22</a>), and they were a common source of protein in the region. Wild honey, likely gathered from bees in the wilderness, provided natural sweetness and sustenance. John's diet underscores his ascetic lifestyle and his reliance on God's provision in the wilderness. This choice of food also connects to the theme of living simply and being sustained by God, paralleling the Israelites' experience in the desert. John's lifestyle and diet serve as a physical manifestation of his message of repentance and preparation for the coming Messiah.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/john_the_baptist.htm">John the Baptist</a> A prophetic figure and forerunner to Jesus Christ, known for his ascetic lifestyle and powerful preaching of repentance and baptism for the forgiveness of sins. 2. <a href="/topical/t/the_wilderness.htm">The Wilderness</a> The setting for John's ministry, symbolizing a place of spiritual preparation and encounter with God, reminiscent of Israel's time in the desert. 3. <a href="/topical/c/camel's_hair_garment.htm">Camel’s Hair Garment</a> A rough, humble attire that signifies John's prophetic role, echoing the attire of Old Testament prophets like Elijah. 4. <a href="/topical/l/leather_belt.htm">Leather Belt</a> A simple accessory that further emphasizes John's ascetic lifestyle and connection to the prophetic tradition. 5. <a href="/topical/l/locusts_and_wild_honey.htm">Locusts and Wild Honey</a> The diet of John, highlighting his reliance on God's provision and his separation from worldly comforts.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/p/prophetic_identity.htm">Prophetic Identity</a> John's attire and lifestyle were not just personal choices but were deeply symbolic, connecting him to the prophetic tradition and emphasizing his role as a herald of the Messiah. <a href="/topical/s/simplicity_and_focus.htm">Simplicity and Focus</a> John's simple lifestyle serves as a model for Christians to prioritize spiritual over material wealth, focusing on God's mission rather than worldly comforts. <a href="/topical/r/repentance_and_preparation.htm">Repentance and Preparation</a> Just as John prepared the way for Jesus, believers are called to prepare their hearts through repentance and spiritual discipline. <a href="/topical/r/reliance_on_god.htm">Reliance on God</a> John's diet of locusts and wild honey illustrates a life of dependence on God's provision, encouraging believers to trust in God's care and sustenance. <a href="/topical/c/counter-cultural_witness.htm">Counter-Cultural Witness</a> John's life challenges Christians to live counter-culturally, bearing witness to the truth of the Gospel through distinct and holy living.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_matthew_3.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Matthew 3</a> <a href="/q/is_john's_attire_and_diet_realistic.htm">Is John’s attire of camel hair and his diet of locusts and wild honey historically realistic, or does it contradict local cultural practices? (Matthew 3:4) </a> <a href="/q/who_was_john_the_baptist's_role.htm">Who was John the Baptist and what was his role?</a> <a href="/q/what_did_john_mean_by_'repent'.htm">What did John mean by "Repent, Kingdom of Heaven near"?</a> <a href="/q/how_are_john_the_baptist_and_elijah_linked.htm">What is the connection between John the Baptist and Elijah?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/matthew/3.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(4) His raiment of camel's hair.--The dress was probably deliberately adopted by the Baptist as reviving the outward appearance of Elijah, who was "a hairy man, and girt with a girdle of leather" (<a href="/2_kings/1-8.htm" title="And 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.">2Kings 1:8</a>); and the "rough garment," that had been characteristic of the prophet's life even at a later period (<a href="/zechariah/13-4.htm" title="And it shall come to pass in that day, that the prophets shall be ashamed every one of his vision, when he has prophesied; neither shall they wear a rough garment to deceive:">Zechariah 13:4</a>), as contrasted with the "long garments" of the Pharisees (<a href="/mark/12-38.htm" title="And he said to them in his doctrine, Beware of the scribes, which love to go in long clothing, and love salutations in the marketplaces,">Mark 12:38</a>), and the "gorgeous apparel" of the scribes who attached themselves to the court of Herod (<a href="/luke/7-25.htm" title="But what went you out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? Behold, they which are gorgeously appareled, and live delicately, are in kings' courts.">Luke 7:25</a>). The Nazarite vow of <a href="/luke/1-15.htm" title="For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb.">Luke 1:15</a> probably involved long and shaggy hair as well.Locusts and wild honey.--Locusts were among the articles of food permitted by the Law (<a href="/leviticus/11-21.htm" title="Yet these may you eat of every flying creeping thing that goes on all four, which have legs above their feet, to leap with on the earth;">Leviticus 11:21</a>), and were and are still used by the poor in Palestine and Syria. They are commonly salted and dried, and may be cooked in various ways, pounded, or fried in butter, and they taste like shrimps. It is needless, when the facts are so clear, to go out of the way to seek the food of the Baptist in the sweet pods of the so-called locust-tree (Ceratonia Siliqua), with which it has been sometimes identified. The "wild honey" was that found in the hollows of trees (as in the history of Jonathan, <a href="/1_samuel/14-25.htm" title="And all they of the land came to a wood; and there was honey on the ground.">1Samuel 14:25</a>), or in the "rocks" (<a href="/deuteronomy/32-13.htm" title="He made him ride on the high places of the earth, that he might eat the increase of the fields; and he made him to suck honey out of the rock, and oil out of the flinty rock;">Deuteronomy 32:13</a>; <a href="/psalms/81-16.htm" title="He should have fed them also with the finest of the wheat: and with honey out of the rock should I have satisfied you.">Psalm 81:16</a>). Stress is laid on the simplicity of the Baptist's fare, requiring no skill or appliances, the food of the poorest wanderer in the wilderness, presenting a marked contrast to the luxury of the dwellers in towns. The life of Banus, the hermit-master of Josephus, who lived only on herbs and water (Life, c. 2) presented analogous though not identical features. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/matthew/3.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 4. - With this verse we begin to meet with matter peculiar to Matthew and Mark. And the same John (αὐτὸς δὲ ὁ Ἰωάνης). (For the phrase, cf. <a href="/mark/6-17.htm">Mark 6:17</a> <a href="/luke/3-23.htm">Luke 3:23</a>.) (1) If the Revised Version "Now John himself," holds good, the phrase seems to mean that not only did Isaiah speak of him in terms that implied that he was the forerunner of Messiah, the true Elijah (<a href="/mark/1-2.htm">Mark 1:2</a>), but also he himself had his very food and dress consistent with his office. (2) But it is safer, with Thayer's 'Grimm' (1:2, a), to take αὐτός as merely recalling the person before mentioned. "Now he, whom I spoke of, John" (cf. <a href="/2_chronicles/32-30.htm">2 Chronicles 32:30</a>). Had; during all that time (εϊχεν). His habitual dress, etc., was as follows. Of (ἀπό) camel's hair. Not, as Dgr Old Lat. a in the parallel passage in Mark, δέῥῤην, pellem, "a camel's hide," but coarse cloth made from the hair. So probably," hairy man" (<a href="/2_kings/1-8.htm">2 Kings 1:8</a>; el. <a href="/zechariah/13-4.htm">Zechariah 13:4</a>). And a leathern girdle. Probably of sheep or goatskin, worn over the garment. Mentioned because (1) it formed another point of similarity to Elijah (<a href="/2_kings/1-8.htm">2 Kings 1:8</a>); . . . <a href="/commentaries/matthew/3-4.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>John Ἰωάννης (Iōannēs) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2491.htm">Strong's 2491: </a> Of Hebrew origin; Joannes, the name of four Israelites. wore εἶχεν (eichen) Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2192.htm">Strong's 2192: </a> To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold. a garment ἔνδυμα (endyma) Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1742.htm">Strong's 1742: </a> A garment, raiment, clothing. From enduo; apparel. of ἀπὸ (apo) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_575.htm">Strong's 575: </a> From, away from. A primary particle; 'off, ' i.e. Away, in various senses. camel’s καμήλου (kamēlou) Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2574.htm">Strong's 2574: </a> A camel or dromedary. Of Hebrew origin; a 'camel'. hair, τριχῶν (trichōn) Noun - Genitive Feminine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_2359.htm">Strong's 2359: </a> Hair (of the head or of animals). Genitive case trichos, etc. of uncertain derivation; hair. with καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. [a] leather δερματίνην (dermatinēn) Adjective - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1193.htm">Strong's 1193: </a> Made of hide, leathern. From derma; made of hide. belt ζώνην (zōnēn) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2223.htm">Strong's 2223: </a> Probably akin to the base of zugos; a belt; by implication, a pocket. around περὶ (peri) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_4012.htm">Strong's 4012: </a> From the base of peran; properly, through, i.e. Around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time. his αὐτοῦ (autou) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. waist. ὀσφὺν (osphyn) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3751.htm">Strong's 3751: </a> The loins. Of uncertain affinity; the loin, i.e. The hip; internally procreative power. His αὐτοῦ (autou) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. food τροφὴ (trophē) Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5160.htm">Strong's 5160: </a> Food, nourishment, maintenance. From trepho; nourishment; by implication, rations. was ἦν (ēn) Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1510.htm">Strong's 1510: </a> I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist. locusts ἀκρίδες (akrides) Noun - Nominative Feminine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_200.htm">Strong's 200: </a> A locust. Apparently from the same as akron; a locust. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. wild ἄγριον (agrion) Adjective - Nominative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_66.htm">Strong's 66: </a> Wild, fierce. From agros; wild, literally or figuratively. honey. μέλι (meli) Noun - Nominative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3192.htm">Strong's 3192: </a> Honey. Apparently a primary word; honey. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/matthew/3-4.htm">Matthew 3:4 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/matthew/3-4.htm">Matthew 3:4 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/matthew/3-4.htm">Matthew 3:4 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/matthew/3-4.htm">Matthew 3:4 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/matthew/3-4.htm">Matthew 3:4 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/matthew/3-4.htm">Matthew 3:4 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/matthew/3-4.htm">Matthew 3:4 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/matthew/3-4.htm">Matthew 3:4 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/matthew/3-4.htm">Matthew 3:4 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/matthew/3-4.htm">Matthew 3:4 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/matthew/3-4.htm">NT Gospels: Matthew 3:4 Now John himself wore clothing made (Matt. 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