And the same John had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey.

MATTHEW 3:4KJV
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Matthew 3:4 (KJV)

What does Matthew 3:4 mean?

Matthew 3:4 describes what John the Baptist wore and ate: his clothing was made from camel’s hair with a leather belt, and his food was locusts and wild honey. This verse highlights John’s simple, rugged lifestyle in the wilderness.

Matthew is giving details about John the Baptist to show how different he was from ordinary people of his time, especially religious leaders who dressed and ate in more refined ways. By mentioning John’s unusual clothes and diet, the verse sets him apart as someone living outside normal society, focused on his mission rather than comfort.

The Greek behind Matthew 3:4

  • ἱμάτιον (himation, “raiment”): This word means clothing or outer garment. The use of camel’s hair (καμήλου, kamēlou) suggests rough, practical clothing, not soft or luxurious.
  • ζώνη (zōnē, “girdle”): Here translated as “leathern girdle,” this refers to a belt or sash, often used to tie up loose clothing for work or travel. It emphasizes John’s readiness and active lifestyle.
  • ἀκρίδες (akrides, “locusts”): This word means the insect locust, which was permitted as food under Jewish law. It shows John’s diet was simple and based on what was available in the wild.
  • μέλι ἄγριον (meli agrion, “wild honey”): This phrase means honey found in the wild, not farmed or cultivated, again pointing to a life lived away from towns and markets.

Why Matthew 3:4 matters

  • Matthew 3:4 clears up any idea that John the Baptist was wealthy or lived comfortably; instead, it shows he lived simply and depended on what the wilderness provided.
  • The verse connects John to Old Testament prophets, especially Elijah, who was also described as wearing rough clothing and a leather belt, signaling a prophetic role.
  • By describing John’s appearance and diet, Matthew prepares the reader for John’s message of repentance and his role as a forerunner to Jesus, emphasizing his separation from worldly concerns.

Where else these words appear

“leathern” Greek G1193 · used in 2 verses

  • Mark 1:6 And John was clothed with camel's hair, and with a girdle of a skin about his loins; and he did eat locusts and wild honey;

“wild” Greek G66 · used in 3 verses

  • Mark 1:6 And John was clothed with camel's hair, and with a girdle of a skin about his loins; and he did eat locusts and wild honey;
  • Jude 1:13 Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever.

“locusts” Greek G200 · used in 4 verses

  • Mark 1:6 And John was clothed with camel's hair, and with a girdle of a skin about his loins; and he did eat locusts and wild honey;
  • Revelation 9:3 And there came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth: and unto them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power.
  • Revelation 9:7 And the shapes of the locusts were like unto horses prepared unto battle; and on their heads were as it were crowns like gold, and their faces were as the faces of men.

“honey” Greek G3192 · used in 4 verses

  • Mark 1:6 And John was clothed with camel's hair, and with a girdle of a skin about his loins; and he did eat locusts and wild honey;
  • Revelation 10:9 And I went unto the angel, and said unto him, Give me the little book. And he said unto me, Take it, and eat it up; and it shall make thy belly bitter, but it shall be in thy mouth sweet as honey.
  • Revelation 10:10 And I took the little book out of the angel's hand, and ate it up; and it was in my mouth sweet as honey: and as soon as I had eaten it, my belly was bitter.