Chapter L.—It is proved from Isaiah that John is the precursor of Christ.
And Trypho said, “You seem to me to have come out of a great conflict with many
persons about all the points we have been searching into, and therefore quite ready to return
answers to all questions put to you. Answer me then, first, how you can show that there is
another God besides the Maker of all things; and then you will show, [further], that He
submitted to be born of the Virgin.”
I replied, “Give me permission first of all to quote certain passages from the prophecy
of Isaiah, which refer to the office of forerunner discharged by John the Baptist and prophet
before this our Lord Jesus Christ.”
“I grant it,” said he.
Then I said, “Isaiah thus foretold John’s forerunning: ‘And Hezekiah said to Isaiah,
Good is the word of the Lord which He spake: Let there be peace and righteousness in my
days.’343 And, ‘Encourage the people; ye priests, speak to the heart of Jerusalem, and encour-
age her, because her humiliation is accomplished. Her sin is annulled; for she has received
of the Lord’s hand double for her sins. A voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare the
ways of the Lord; make straight the paths of our God. Every valley shall be filled up, and
every mountain and hill shall be brought low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and
the rough way shall be plain ways; and the glory of the Lord shall be seen, and all flesh shall
see the salvation of God: for the Lord hath spoken it. A voice of one saying, Cry; and I said,
What shall I cry? All flesh is grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass
has withered, and the flower of it has fallen away; but the word of the Lord endureth for
ever. Thou that bringest good tidings to Zion, go up to the high mountain; thou that
bringest good tidings to Jerusalem, lift up thy voice with strength. Lift ye up, be not afraid;
tell the cities of Judah, Behold your God! Behold, the Lord comes with strength, and [His]
arm comes with authority. Behold, His reward is with Him, and His work before Him. As
a shepherd He will tend His flock, and will gather the lambs with [His] arm, and cheer on
her that is with young. Who has measured the water with [his] hand, and the heaven with
a span, and all the earth with [his] fist? Who has weighed the mountains, and [put] the valleys
into a balance? Who has known the mind of the Lord? And who has been His counsellor,
and who shall advise Him? Or with whom did He take counsel, and he instructed Him? Or
who showed Him judgment? Or who made Him to know the way of understanding? All the
nations are reckoned as a drop of a bucket, and as a turning of a balance, and shall be
reckoned as spittle. But Lebanon is not sufficient to burn, nor the beasts sufficient for a
burnt-offering; and all the nations are considered nothing, and for nothing.’ ”344
343 Isa. xxxix. 8.
344 Isa. xl. 1–17.
Chapter L.—It is proved from Isaiah that John is the precursor of Christ.
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Chapter L.—It is proved from Isaiah that John is the precursor of Chris…