{Now John himself} (autos de ho I(9361)n(8873)). Matthew thus
introduces the man himself and draws a vivid sketch of his dress
(note eichen, imperfect tense), his habit, and his food. Would
such an uncouth figure be welcome today in any pulpit in our
cities? In the wilderness it did not matter. It was probably a
matter of necessity with him, not an affectation, though it was
the garb of the original Elijah ( 2Ki 1:8 ), rough sackcloth
woven from the hair of camels. Plummer holds that "John
consciously took Elijah as a model."