That heard him. That heard John.

The publicans. The tax-gatherers, the worst kind of people, who had, however, been converted.

Justified God. Considered God as just or right in the counsel which he gave by John -- to wit, in calling men to repentance, and in denouncing future wrath on the impenitent. Comp. Mt 11:19.

Being baptized, &c. They showed that they approved of the message of God by submitting to the ordinance which he commanded -- the ordinance of baptism. This verse and the following are not to be considered as the words of Luke, but the continuation of the discourse of our Lord. He is saying what took place in regard to John. Among the common people he was approved and obeyed; among the rich and learned he was despised.

{t} "justified" Ps 51:4; Ro 3:4 {u} "baptized" Mt 3:5,6; Lu 3:12