And all the people that heard him, and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John.
John's preaching was empowered by the Spirit of God. That ministry convicted its hearers of sin and brought many sinners to repentance. The people in general and the tax collectors in particular who heard him accepted his message and testimony by receiving his baptism.
In being baptized, these publicans and other sinners acknowledged their sins. As true penitents they embraced the salvation God offered. By that response they acknowledged that God was right, thereby accepting His counsel and His wisdom and purpose.
In contrast, the Pharisees and lawyers, also described as chief priests and scribes, rejected God's counsel for themselves by refusing John's baptism. They rejected him despite the evidence and despite conviction, resisting his message. They did so because his teaching exposed the defects in their religious experience and condemned their conduct.
John's preaching was empowered by the Spirit of God. That ministry convicted its hearers of sin and brought many sinners to repentance. The people in general and the tax collectors in particular who heard him accepted his message and testimony by receiving his baptism.
In being baptized, these publicans and other sinners acknowledged their sins. As true penitents they embraced the salvation God offered. By that response they acknowledged that God was right, thereby accepting His counsel and His wisdom and purpose.
In contrast, the Pharisees and lawyers, also described as chief priests and scribes, rejected God's counsel for themselves by refusing John's baptism. They rejected him despite the evidence and despite conviction, resisting his message. They did so because his teaching exposed the defects in their religious experience and condemned their conduct.