Tractates on the Gospel of John (continued)
102 ST. AUGUSTINE
God; behold, he who takes away the sin of the world." Let human beings not be presumptuous toward human beings. Let the sparrow not flee over to the mountains,^^ let it trust in the Lord. And if it lifts its eyes to the mountains, from which help will come to it, let it understand that its help is from the Lord who made heaven and earth.
(2) Of such great excellence is John! It is said to him, "Are you the Christ?" He says, "No." "Are you Elias?" He says, "No." "Are you a prophet?" He says, "No." "Why therefore do you baptize?" "Behold, the Lamb of God; behold, he who takes away the sin of the world. This is he of whom I said, 'After me there comes a man who was made before me, because he was before me.'" "After me there comes" because he was born later. "He was made before me," because he was placed before me. "He was placed before me," because "in the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the
Word was God."
12. "'And I knew him not,'" he said, '"But that he might be made manifest to Israel, for this reason have I come baptizing with water.' And John gave testimony, saying, 'I saw the Spirit leave descending from the sky as a dove, and he remained upon him. And I knew him not. But he who sent me to baptize with water said to me, "He upon whom you will see the Spirit descending, and remaining upon him, he it is who baptizes with the Holy Spirit." And I saw and gave testimony that this is the Son of God.'"
(2) Pay attention for a little while, my beloved people. When did John come to know Christ? For he had been sent to baptize with water. The question was asked "Why?" "That he might be made manifest to Israel," he said. What good did the baptism of John do? My brothers, if it did any good, even now it would remain, and men would be baptized by the baptism of John; and thus they would come to the baptism of Christ.^^ But what does he say? "That he might be made manifest to
34. Cf. Ps 10.2. 35. Cf. Ps 120.1-2. See also Tractate 1.6 and 7. 36. Jn 1.1. 37. Augustine also discusses this question in Tractate 5.3—5-