Matthew Poole and continuators on Luke 3:15

15 And as the people were in expectation, and all men mused in their hearts of John, whether he were the Christ or not?

It being known to many what the Angel had told Zacharias concerning Iohn, thirty years since, and what had Miraculously happened at his Circumcision, as also what Zacharias his Father had Prophesied concerning him, and there having been many who had observed, the Holiness, and Severity of his Life all along, until he came to Mans E[illegible: 1 letter]tate, and knowing that the time was fulfilled for the coming of the Messias, the Scepter being now departed from Iudah, and Daniels Weeks being accomplished, and hearing him Preach with that Life▪ and Power, which attended his Ministry, as also considering his Doctrine, (not new in it self, being Consonant to the Divine Law, and the Doctrine of the Prophets but) new to them, who had used to hear of Rites and Ceremonies, and the Traditions of the Elders, but little or nothing of Repentance, or bringing forth Fruits worthy of it, they began to Reason and Debate with themselves, whether Iohn the Baptist were not the Messiah promised, and in great suspence they were about it. But Iohn quickly satisfyed them as to that, not desirous to Arrogate to himself his Honour, whose Menssenger only he was.

Marginal references: Or, in sus [illegible: 2 letters]nce.; Or, rea[illegible: 2 letters]ned or debated.