Matthew 03:07-09 The Poetry of John the Baptist

Did you know that John the Baptist spoke in rhymes? Below are several of the Hebrew rhymes (puns) that appear in the dialogue of John the Baptist:

John 1:26 “John answered them, "I baptize with water; there has stood {“Stood” (עמד)} One among you whom you do not know {“Know” (יודע)}.””

Matthew 3:7-8 “But when he saw many of the Pharisees {“Pharisees” (הפרושים)} and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Bear fruit {“Bear Fruit” (פרי עשו)} worthy of repentance.”

Matthew 3:9 “And do not think to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that God {“God” (אלקים)} is able from these stones {“Stones” (אבן)} to raise {“Raise Up” (להקים)} children {“Sons” (בן)} for Abraham.”

All of these puns will reappear in later portions of the Gospel of Matthew. [Text is from The Passion: The Poetry of God]

J. Clontz - Editor of the Comprehensive New Testament

http://youtu.be/E_djIm-hCo0