Luke 03:07-14 Baptism – John the Baptist and the Dead Sea Scrolls

John the Baptist baptized people less than 10 miles from where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found. Below is a parallel between John the Baptist’s preaching and the Dead Sea Scrolls.

Defiled, defiled shall he be all the days he spurns the decrees of God, without allowing himself to be taught by the Community of his counsel. For, by the spirit of the true counsel concerning the paths of man all his sins are atoned so that he can look at the light of life. And by the spirit of holiness which links him with his truth he is cleansed of all his sins. And by the spirit of uprightness and of humility his sin is atoned. And by the compliance of his soul with all the laws of God his flesh is cleansed by being sprinkled with cleansing waters and being made holy with the waters of repentance. May he, then, steady his steps in order to walk with perfection on all the paths of God, conforming to all he has decreed concerning the regular times of his commands and not turn aside, either left or right, no infringe even one of his words. In this way he will be admitted by means of atonement pleasing to God, and for him it will be the covenant of an everlasting Community. Dead Sea Scrolls[1Q Rule of the Community (1QS) COL III 6-12]

Luke 03:07 Then he said to the multitudes that came out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance, and do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones. 9 And even now the ax is laid at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.” 10 And the multitudes asked him, “What then should we do?” 11 He answered and said to them, “He who has two tunics, let him share with him who has none; and he who has food, let him do likewise.” 12 Tax collectors also came to be baptized, and said to him, “Teacher, what should we do?” 13 And he said to them, “Collect no more than is appointed you.” 14 Likewise the soldiers asked him, “And what should we do?” So he said to them, “Rob no one by violence, nor accuse falsely, and be content with your wages.”

Based on the cross reference index notes for The Comprehensive New Testament