Why Did Matthew Describe in Detail What John the Baptist Wore?

The amazing connection between John and Elijah.

Matthew records a striking detail about John the Baptist that is easy to pass over: “Now John wore a garment of camel’s hair and a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey” (Matthew 3:4, ESV). Why does the Gospel bother to specify the garment of camel’s hair and the leather belt? The answer lies in an Old Testament prophecy and in an earlier description of the prophet Elijah.

Malachi closes the Old Testament with this promise: “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord: And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse” (Malachi 4:5–6, KJV). The prophecy speaks of one who would come in the role of Elijah before the great day of the Lord, preparing the way for the Messiah.

Four hundred years later, Matthew deliberately notes John’s clothing because it matches the way Elijah was recognized. When messengers of King Ahaziah described a mysterious prophet they had met, they said, “He wore a garment of hair, with a belt of leather about his waist.” The king replied, “It is Elijah the Tishbite” (2 Kings 1:8, ESV). John wears…