1. He recognized Him when He was unborn, “The babe leaped in my womb for joy;” but he did not distinctly know Him now, for—the reason given is perfectly monstrous—Aristotle says that the human frame changes every seven years.
2. He knew that Christ was among the throng by a sort of inspiration, but he knew not which of his hearers was Christ.
3. Knowledge is double; it arises out of
α. Demonstration, and is acquired by reason.
β. Experience.
Raulin investigates the knowledge of John, and resolves the question by stating that at first he had no certain knowledge, but that after the manifestations accompanying the baptism, he obtained it by experience.
A second question is asked:—Why St. John Baptist did not venture to touch Christ?
Answer:—
1. Because he had an instinctive fear of God present in the flesh.