Food of John the Baptist.
We read in Matt. 3:4 that the food of John the Baptist was locusts and wild honey. Is the word “locust” here the same as that found in Lev. 11:22? E. B. B., Plum City, Wis. Answer.—It is the corresponding Greek word. This word refers primarily and exclusively to the living insect called the locust; that is, we find no definition of the word applying to any other object. In the East there is a tree called the locust tree, bearing pods with beans, called the locust bean; but these are not so specified in the lexicons. At the bazaars, in Syria, one can find the fruit of this tree, which goes by the name of “St. John’s bread.” On the other hand, one can find locust meal, made from the dead bodies of locusts dried and pulverized, and sold as food, as it has been from ancient times. It is said to be pleasant and nutritious food. There is nothing in this passage, nor in the context, to show that John the Baptist used the vegetable product as his locusts. He doubtless followed the custom of those times, and ate that which was most convenient and nutritious.