# Now ... wild honey

The word "Now" is used here to mark a pause in the story. Here Matthew tells background information about John the Baptist. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/writing-background]])

# wore clothing of camel's hair and a leather belt around his waist

This clothing symbolizes that John is a prophet like the prophets from long ago, especially the prophet Elijah. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/translate-symaction]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit]])