John the Baptist - Mark

Here’s how each element connects:

1. Camel as a Judge: The camel, in sensus plenior, representing a judge, signifies John’s authoritative role in calling the people to repentance. As a judge, he would pronounce the need for transformation, much like Elijah did in his time. This could also reflect the judgment aspect of repentance, where turning away from sin is the first step toward divine justice and mercy.
2. Hair as Authority: The reference to John’s camel’s hair garment links to the symbolism of authority. Elijah’s similar attire, also associated with authority, points to the legitimacy of John’s message and his role in preparing the way for Jesus, who would exercise ultimate authority. The rugged, humble attire may reflect the authority that comes not from worldly power but from the divine mission John is fulfilling.
3. Locust as Clean Animal: In sensus plenior, the locust’s dual nature, creeping on the earth and then hopping into the air, can symbolize the reconciliation of the flesh and the spirit. It represents the idea that while repentance involves earthly actions (striving for a higher purpose in the flesh), it also ascends spiritually (striving for divine closeness). The locust, which is clean according to Levitical law (Leviticus 11:22), also symbolizes purity in action despite being in a physical, earthly context.
4. Honey as Earthly Blessing: The honey John consumes is an earthly blessing, representing the sweetness of God’s favor in this life. It also symbolizes that repentance brings its own reward—spiritual satisfaction and peace in the flesh, even before the full reward in the Spirit. Repentance leads to transformation, and this transformation is seen as a form of blessing in the earthly realm.

Taken together, these elements reinforce the idea that repentance isn’t just a preparation for the spiritual, but it also transforms the earthly experience. John’s actions, particularly his ascetic lifestyle and call for repentance, point to the deeper, transformative reward in the flesh, preparing the way for a higher spiritual transformation through the coming of Christ.

Why does a camel represent a judge?

In sensus plenior, the Hebrew word גמל (Gimel) carries the deeper meaning of "exposing the promise of the Father." The letter ג (Gimel) itself can symbolize the act of revealing or exposing something, and when paired with מ (Mem), which represents "the promise of the Father," it speaks to the role of revealing God’s promises and the fulfillment of those promises. גמל (Gimel), therefore, portrays the action of bringing God's promises into the open for all to see.

When we look at גמל (Gimel) in the context of John the Baptist and Elijah, we can understand this exposure as part of their prophetic call to reveal God’s truth. Both John and Elijah acted as messengers who exposed God’s promises and called the people to repentance, preparing the way for the coming of the Messiah.

The camel, symbolizing גמל, also has a significant role in carrying its own water. In sensus plenior, water represents the Word of God. The camel, known for its ability to endure in harsh desert conditions, symbolizes one who is well-versed in the Word and carries it with them. Just as the camel survives in the wilderness by carrying water, it represents one who has internalized God’s Word and is able to apply it wisely, especially in judgment.

John the Baptist, dressed in camel’s hair, not only embodies the authority of a judge but also represents someone who knows the Word deeply and can apply it justly. He was a prophet who exposed the promises of the Father (the coming Messiah) and proclaimed the need for repentance. By living in the wilderness and wearing camel’s hair, John symbolized the strength, endurance, and wisdom needed to navigate the harsh realities of spiritual life, much like the camel in the desert. The camel’s role as a bearer of water also connects to John’s role in revealing the Word and offering it to others through baptism, cleansing them in preparation for Christ.

Thus, the camel in sensus plenior not only symbolizes judgment and authority but also reflects a deeper understanding of the Word of God. Like the camel that carries its own water, John the Baptist, in his calling, knew the Word intimately and applied it to guide others in their journey toward repentance and transformation. This is the kind of judgment that comes from knowing and applying God’s truth, revealing the promise of the Father to those who are ready to listen.