It is not clear in Mark why Jesus is called "the stronger one" by John the Baptist. "Stronger" relatively to what? According to Matthew, "stronger" relatively to the punition of scribes and pharisees.1) The arguments become weaker and weaker. Eysinga simply substitutes his own interpretation of strongness for the one given by John the Baptist in GMark himself.Mark 1:8 I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
All people can baptize with water and if they are cruel enough, then even with fire. But only God can baptize with the Holy Spirit.
Mark assumes that the same people baptized with water by him will be baptized with Spirit by Jesus. According to Van Eysinga, in Matthew the people baptized by John are not the same people who will be baptized by Jesus.
A distinction without a real difference.2) Contrary to Eysinga's claim, Matthew mentions the Pharisees and the Sadducees and not "the Pharisees and scribes".
Statistics: Posted by Giuseppe — Mon Mar 10, 2025 10:00 pm