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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Matthew 3:1 In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/matthew/3-1.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/11/40_Mat_03_01.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Matthew 3:1 - The Mission of John the Baptist" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/matthew/3-1.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/matthew/3-1.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/matthew/">Matthew</a> > <a href="/matthew/3.htm">Chapter 3</a> > Verse 1</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad1.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/matthew/2-23.htm" title="Matthew 2:23">◄</a> Matthew 3:1 <a href="/matthew/3-2.htm" title="Matthew 3:2">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/matthew/3.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/matthew/3.htm">New International Version</a> In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea <a href="/nlt/matthew/3.htm">New Living Translation</a> In those days John the Baptist came to the Judean wilderness and began preaching. His message was, <a href="/esv/matthew/3.htm">English Standard Version</a> In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, <a href="/bsb/matthew/3.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea <a href="/blb/matthew/3.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> Now in those days John the Baptist comes, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, <a href="/kjv/matthew/3.htm">King James Bible</a> In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, <a href="/nkjv/matthew/3.htm">New King James Version</a> In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, <a href="/nasb_/matthew/3.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Now in those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, saying, <a href="/nasb/matthew/3.htm">NASB 1995</a> Now in those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, saying, <a href="/nasb77/matthew/3.htm">NASB 1977 </a> Now in those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, saying, <a href="/lsb/matthew/3.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Now in those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, saying, <a href="/amp/matthew/3.htm">Amplified Bible</a> In those days John the Baptist appeared, preaching in the Wilderness of Judea [along the western side of the Dead Sea] and saying, <a href="/csb/matthew/3.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea <a href="/hcsb/matthew/3.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the Wilderness of Judea <a href="/asv/matthew/3.htm">American Standard Version</a> And in those days cometh John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Jud锟絘, saying, <a href="/cev/matthew/3.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Years later, John the Baptist started preaching in the desert of Judea. <a href="/erv/matthew/3.htm">English Revised Version</a> And in those days cometh John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, <a href="/gwt/matthew/3.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Later, John the Baptizer appeared in the desert of Judea. His message was, <a href="/gnt/matthew/3.htm">Good News Translation</a> At that time John the Baptist came to the desert of Judea and started preaching. <a href="/isv/matthew/3.htm">International Standard Version</a> About this time, John the Baptist appeared, preaching in the Judean wilderness, <a href="/msb/matthew/3.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea <a href="/net/matthew/3.htm">NET Bible</a> In those days John the Baptist came into the wilderness of Judea proclaiming, <a href="/nheb/matthew/3.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> And in those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea <a href="/wbt/matthew/3.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, <a href="/wey/matthew/3.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> About this time John the Baptist made his appearance, preaching in the Desert of Judaea. <a href="/web/matthew/3.htm">World English Bible</a> In those days, John the Baptizer came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, saying, <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/matthew/3.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And in those days John the Immerser comes, proclaiming in the wilderness of Judea, <a href="/blb/matthew/3.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> Now in those days John the Baptist comes, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, <a href="/ylt/matthew/3.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And in those days cometh John the Baptist, proclaiming in the wilderness of Judea, <a href="/slt/matthew/3.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> In these days John the Baptist is present, proclaiming in the desert of Judea;<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/matthew/3.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> AND in those days cometh John the Baptist preaching in the desert of Judea. <a href="/cpdv/matthew/3.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> Now in those days, John the Baptist arrived, preaching in the desert of Judea, <a href="/nabre/matthew/3.htm">New American Bible</a> In those days John the Baptist appeared, preaching in the desert of Judea <a href="/nrsvce/matthew/3.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> In those days John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness of Judea, proclaiming,<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/matthew/3.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> IN those days came John the Baptist; and he was preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/matthew/3.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> And in those days Yohannan The Baptizer came and was preaching in the desert of Judaea.<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/matthew/3.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> In those days came John the Immerser, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, <a href="/godbey/matthew/3.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> In those days comes John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, <a href="/haweis/matthew/3.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> THEN in those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the desert country of Judea, <a href="/mace/matthew/3.htm">Mace New Testament</a> At that time appeared John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, <a href="/wey/matthew/3.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> About this time John the Baptist made his appearance, preaching in the Desert of Judaea. <a href="/worrell/matthew/3.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> Now in those days comes John, the Immerser, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, <a href="/worsley/matthew/3.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> Now in those days came John the baptist preaching in the desert part of Judea, <a href="/parallel/matthew/3-1.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hriiyJYqzvc?start=455" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/matthew/3.htm">The Mission of John the Baptist</a> 1<a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc."></a> <a href="/greek/1722.htm" title="1722: En (Prep) -- In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; in, at, on, by, etc.">In</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tais (Art-DFP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/1565.htm" title="1565: ekeinais (DPro-DFP) -- That, that one there, yonder. From ekei; that one (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed.">those</a> <a href="/greek/2250.htm" title="2250: hēmerais (N-DFP) -- A day, the period from sunrise to sunset. ">days</a> <a href="/greek/2491.htm" title="2491: Iōannēs (N-NMS) -- Of Hebrew origin; Joannes, the name of four Israelites.">John</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ho (Art-NMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/910.htm" title="910: baptistēs (N-NMS) -- From baptizo; a baptizer, as an epithet of Christ's forerunner.">Baptist</a> <a href="/greek/3854.htm" title="3854: paraginetai (V-PIM/P-3S) -- From para and ginomai; to become near, i.e. Approach; by implication, to appear publicly.">came,</a> <a href="/greek/2784.htm" title="2784: kēryssōn (V-PPA-NMS) -- To proclaim, herald, preach. Of uncertain affinity; to herald, especially divine truth.">preaching</a> <a href="/greek/1722.htm" title="1722: en (Prep) -- In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; in, at, on, by, etc.">in</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tē (Art-DFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/2048.htm" title="2048: erēmō (Adj-DFS) -- Lonesome, i.e. waste.">wilderness</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tēs (Art-GFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/2449.htm" title="2449: Ioudaias (N-GFS) -- Judea, a Roman province, capital Jerusalem. Feminine of Ioudaios; the Judaean land, a region of Palestine.">of Judea</a> 2and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/isaiah/40-3.htm">Isaiah 40:3</a> A voice of one calling: “Prepare the way for the LORD in the wilderness; make a straight highway for our God in the desert. <a href="/malachi/3-1.htm">Malachi 3:1</a> “Behold, I will send My messenger, who will prepare the way before Me. Then the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to His temple—the Messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight—see, He is coming,” says the LORD of Hosts. <a href="/mark/1-2.htm">Mark 1:2-4</a> As it is written in Isaiah the prophet: “Behold, I will send My messenger ahead of You, who will prepare Your way.” / “A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for Him.’” / John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. <a href="/luke/3-2.htm">Luke 3:2-4</a> during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. / He went into all the region around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, / as it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet: “A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for Him. <a href="/john/1-23.htm">John 1:23</a> John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet: “I am a voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way for the Lord.’” <a href="/matthew/11-10.htm">Matthew 11:10</a> This is the one about whom it is written: ‘Behold, I will send My messenger ahead of You, who will prepare Your way before You.’ <a href="/matthew/11-14.htm">Matthew 11:14</a> And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come. <a href="/matthew/17-12.htm">Matthew 17:12-13</a> But I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but have done to him whatever they wished. In the same way, the Son of Man will suffer at their hands.” / Then the disciples understood that He was speaking to them about John the Baptist. <a href="/john/1-6.htm">John 1:6-7</a> There came a man who was sent from God. His name was John. / He came as a witness to testify about the Light, so that through him everyone might believe. <a href="/john/3-28.htm">John 3:28</a> You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Christ, but am sent ahead of Him.’ <a href="/acts/13-24.htm">Acts 13:24</a> Before the arrival of Jesus, John preached a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. <a href="/acts/19-4.htm">Acts 19:4</a> Paul explained: “John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the One coming after him, that is, in Jesus.” <a href="/2_kings/1-8.htm">2 Kings 1:8</a> “He was a hairy man,” they answered, “with a leather belt around his waist.” “It was Elijah the Tishbite,” said the king. <a href="/isaiah/35-8.htm">Isaiah 35:8</a> And there will be a highway called the Way of Holiness. The unclean will not travel it—only those who walk in the Way—and fools will not stray onto it. <a href="/isaiah/62-10.htm">Isaiah 62:10</a> Go out, go out through the gates; prepare the way for the people! Build it up, build up the highway; clear away the stones; raise a banner for the nations!</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,those.<a href="/luke/3-1.htm">Luke 3:1,2</a> Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judaea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of Ituraea and of the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias the tetrarch of Abilene, … John.<a href="/matthew/11-11.htm">Matthew 11:11</a> Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.<a href="/matthew/14-2.htm">Matthew 14:2-12</a> And said unto his servants, This is John the Baptist; he is risen from the dead; and therefore mighty works do shew forth themselves in him… <a href="/matthew/16-14.htm">Matthew 16:14</a> And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.preaching.<a href="/isaiah/40-3.htm">Isaiah 40:3-6</a> The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God… <a href="/mark/1-7.htm">Mark 1:7</a> And preached, saying, There cometh one mightier than I after me, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose.<a href="/luke/1-17.htm">Luke 1:17</a> And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.the wilderness.<a href="/matthew/11-7.htm">Matthew 11:7</a> And as they departed, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind?<a href="/joshua/14-10.htm">Joshua 14:10</a> And now, behold, the LORD hath kept me alive, as he said, these forty and five years, even since the LORD spake this word unto Moses, while the children of Israel wandered in the wilderness: and now, lo, I am this day fourscore and five years old.<a href="/joshua/15-61.htm">Joshua 15:61,62</a> In the wilderness, Betharabah, Middin, and Secacah, … <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/zechariah/5-6.htm">Appearance</a> <a href="/luke/9-19.htm">Baptist</a> <a href="/luke/9-19.htm">Baptizer</a> <a href="/malachi/1-3.htm">Desert</a> <a href="/revelation/22-8.htm">John</a> <a href="/matthew/2-22.htm">Judaea</a> <a href="/matthew/2-22.htm">Judea</a> <a href="/jonah/3-2.htm">Preaching</a> <a href="/jeremiah/34-17.htm">Proclaiming</a> <a href="/matthew/2-16.htm">Time</a> <a href="/malachi/2-3.htm">Waste</a> <a href="/malachi/1-3.htm">Wilderness</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/matthew/6-16.htm">Appearance</a> <a href="/matthew/11-11.htm">Baptist</a> <a href="/matthew/11-11.htm">Baptizer</a> <a href="/matthew/3-3.htm">Desert</a> <a href="/matthew/3-4.htm">John</a> <a href="/matthew/3-5.htm">Judaea</a> <a href="/matthew/3-5.htm">Judea</a> <a href="/matthew/4-17.htm">Preaching</a> <a href="/matthew/4-23.htm">Proclaiming</a> <a href="/matthew/3-13.htm">Time</a> <a href="/matthew/3-3.htm">Waste</a> <a href="/matthew/3-3.htm">Wilderness</a><div class="vheading2">Matthew 3</div>1. <a href="/matthew/3-1.htm">John preaches: his office, life, and baptism.</a> 7. <a href="/matthew/3-7.htm">He reprimands the Pharisees,</a> 13. <a href="/matthew/3-13.htm">and baptizes Jesus in Jordan.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/matthew/3.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/matthew/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/matthew/3.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>In those days This phrase situates the events in a specific historical context, referring to the time when Jesus was about to begin His public ministry. It connects to the period after Jesus' childhood and before His baptism, marking a transition from the silent years of His life to His active ministry. This time frame is significant as it fulfills the prophecies concerning the coming of the Messiah and His forerunner.John the Baptist John is a pivotal figure in the New Testament, known for his role as the forerunner of Christ. He is the son of Zechariah and Elizabeth, whose miraculous birth was announced by the angel Gabriel. John is often associated with the prophet Elijah due to his ascetic lifestyle and powerful preaching, fulfilling the prophecy in <a href="/malachi/4-5.htm">Malachi 4:5-6</a>. His title "the Baptist" highlights his central role in baptizing those who repented, preparing the way for Jesus.came The verb "came" indicates John's arrival on the scene as a divinely appointed messenger. His coming was prophesied in <a href="/isaiah/40-3.htm">Isaiah 40:3</a>, which speaks of a voice crying in the wilderness to prepare the way of the Lord. John's emergence marks the beginning of a new era in God's redemptive plan, as he calls people to repentance and readiness for the coming Messiah.preaching John's primary activity was preaching, emphasizing the need for repentance and the imminent arrival of the Kingdom of Heaven. His message was direct and urgent, calling people to turn from their sins and be baptized as a sign of their repentance. This preaching laid the groundwork for Jesus' own message and ministry, as seen in <a href="/matthew/4-17.htm">Matthew 4:17</a>.in the wilderness of Judea The wilderness of Judea is a rugged, desolate area east of Jerusalem, symbolizing a place of spiritual renewal and encounter with God. This setting is significant as it recalls the Israelites' journey through the wilderness and their preparation to enter the Promised Land. John's choice of the wilderness for his ministry underscores the need for spiritual purification and readiness to receive the Messiah. The wilderness also serves as a backdrop for the fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy, highlighting the transformative power of John's message.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/john_the_baptist.htm">John the Baptist</a> A pivotal figure in the New Testament, John is known for his role as the forerunner to Jesus Christ. He is characterized by his ascetic lifestyle and his powerful call to repentance. His ministry marks the transition from the Old Covenant to the New Covenant. 2. <a href="/topical/w/wilderness_of_judea.htm">Wilderness of Judea</a> This is the region where John the Baptist conducted his ministry. The wilderness symbolizes a place of preparation and purification, echoing the Israelites' journey through the desert and the prophetic tradition of encountering God in desolate places. 3. <a href="/topical/p/preaching.htm">Preaching</a> John's primary activity was preaching, specifically calling people to repentance in preparation for the coming Messiah. His message was direct and urgent, emphasizing the need for spiritual renewal.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_call_to_repentance.htm">The Call to Repentance</a> John's message is timeless, reminding us of the importance of repentance in our spiritual journey. Repentance is not just a one-time act but a continual turning away from sin and turning towards God. <a href="/topical/p/preparation_for_christ's_coming.htm">Preparation for Christ's Coming</a> Just as John prepared the way for Jesus' first coming, we are called to prepare our hearts for His return. This involves living a life of holiness and readiness. <a href="/topical/t/the_wilderness_experience.htm">The Wilderness Experience</a> The wilderness is often a place of testing and growth. In our own lives, we may experience "wilderness" seasons that God uses to refine and prepare us for greater purposes. <a href="/topical/b/boldness_in_proclaiming_truth.htm">Boldness in Proclaiming Truth</a> John's fearless proclamation of truth, even in the face of opposition, challenges us to be bold in sharing the Gospel and standing firm in our faith.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_matthew_3.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Matthew 3</a> <a href="/q/list_the_7_catholic_sacraments..htm">What are the seven Catholic Church sacraments?</a> <a href="/q/why_did_john_baptize_in_the_jordan.htm">Why did John baptize people in the Jordan River?</a> <a href="/q/why_no_non-biblical_record_of_john's_work.htm">Why is there no independent, non-biblical documentation of John’s ministry or baptisms despite the large crowds he supposedly attracted? (Matthew 3:1-5) </a> <a href="/q/why_was_jesus_baptized.htm">What was the purpose of Jesus' baptism?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/matthew/3.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>III.(1) John the Baptist.--For the birth and early life of the forerunner of the Christ, see Notes on. Luke 1. The manner in which he is mentioned here shows that his name was already well known to all readers of the Gospel. So, in like manner, Josephus names him as popularly known by the same title (Ant. xviii. 5, ? 2), and describes his work as that of a preacher of repentance in nearly the same terms as St. Matthew. The symbolism of ablution as the outward sign of inward purification was, of course, derived from the Mosaic ritual. It was ordered for the consecration of the priests (<a href="/exodus/29-4.htm" title="And Aaron and his sons you shall bring to the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and shall wash them with water.">Exodus 29:4</a>; <a href="/leviticus/8-6.htm" title="And Moses brought Aaron and his sons, and washed them with water.">Leviticus 8:6</a>), for the purification of the leper and other unclean persons (<a href="/leviticus/14-8.htm" title="And he that is to be cleansed shall wash his clothes, and shave off all his hair, and wash himself in water, that he may be clean: and after that he shall come into the camp, and shall tarry abroad out of his tent seven days.">Leviticus 14:8</a>; <a href="/context/leviticus/15-31.htm" title="Thus shall you separate the children of Israel from their uncleanness; that they die not in their uncleanness, when they defile my tabernacle that is among them.">Leviticus 15:31-32</a>). It had received a fresh prominence from the language of <a href="/isaiah/1-16.htm" title="Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before my eyes; cease to do evil;">Isaiah 1:16</a>, of <a href="/ezekiel/36-25.htm" title="Then will I sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.">Ezekiel 36:25</a>, of <a href="/zechariah/13-1.htm" title="In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness.">Zechariah 13:1</a>, and probably (though the date of the practice cannot be fixed with certainty) from its being used on the admission of proselytes, male or female, from heathenism. The question asked by the priests and Levites in <a href="/john/1-25.htm" title="And they asked him, and said to him, Why baptize you then, if you be not that Christ, nor Elias, neither that prophet?">John 1:25</a> implies that it was expected as one of the signs of the coming of the Messiah, probably as the result of the prophecies just referred to. That which distinguished the baptism of John from all previous forms of the same symbolism was, that it was not for those only who were affected by a special uncleanness, nor for the heathen only, but for all. All were alike unclean, and needed purification, and their coming to the baptism was in itself a confession that they were so. The baptism was, as the name implied, an immersion, and commonly, though not necessarily, in running water. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/matthew/3.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verses 1-12. - THE HERALD. (Parallel passages: <a href="/mark/1-1.htm">Mark 1:1-8</a>; <a href="/luke/3-1.htm">Luke 3:1-18</a>.) His public appearance and proclamation (vers. 1, 2), as foretold by Scripture (ver. 3). His Elijah-like dress (ver. 4). He is listened to by multitudes (vers. 5, 6). His faithful warning to typical Jews, and his pointing not to himself, but to the Coming One (vers. 7-12). The date at which he appeared is stated, in <a href="/luke/3-1.htm">Luke 3:1</a>, to have been "in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar; i.e. between August, A.D. 28, and August, A.D. 29" (Schurer, I. 2, p. 31). Verse 1. - In those days; and in those days (Revised Version). Probably merely contrasting those past days of the beginning of the gospel with the present, when the evangelist wrote (cf. <a href="/matthew/24-19.htm">Matthew 24:19, 22</a>, where the days yet future are contrasted with those present). In <a href="/mark/1-9.htm">Mark 1:9</a> the expression is used directly of the Lord's baptism. And (Revised Version); δέ; Hebrew usage taking up the narrative (cf. <a href="/joshua/1-1.htm">Joshua 1:1</a>; <a href="/judges/1-1.htm">Judges 1:1</a>; <a href="/ruth/1-1.htm">Ruth 1:1</a>; <a href="/esther/1-1.htm">Esther 1:1</a>). Came; cometh (Revised Version); historic present (cf. <a href="/matthew/2-19.htm">Matthew 2:19</a>); παραγίνεται, here equivalent to "come forward publicly," make one's public appearance (cf. especially <a href="/luke/12-51.htm">Luke 12:51</a>; <a href="/hebrews/9-11.htm">Hebrews 9:11</a>; also especially 1 Macc. 4:46; also infra, ver. 13 and <a href="/matthew/2-1.htm">Matthew 2:1</a>). John; Johanan. The name occurs first as that of a high priest in, apparently, the days of Rehoboam (<a href="/1_chronicles/6-9.htm">1 Chronicles 6:9, 10</a>, Authorized Version). "The Lord is gracious" was a fitting title for one born by the special grace of God, and sent to be the herald of his grace to all men (<a href="/titus/2-11.htm">Titus 2:11</a>). The Baptist. (1) The Jews were far from having attained the simplicity of our present system, by which each person has both a family and a Christian name, and is thus designated with sufficient exactness for all the ordinary purposes of life. Their custom of name-giving was, and still largely is, as follows: (a) A Hebrew name is given to the child at circumcision. This is the holy name, and is used at all strictly religious ceremonies; e.g. when called to read the Law in the synagogue. (b) Each person has a name whereby he is known among the Gentiles. This is, at the present time, the name used for business and social purposes, and may be either Hebrew or of some ether language. It is usually connected, either in sound or meaning, with the holy name. So Paul and Saul, Didymus and Thomas (for numerous examples, cf. Hamburger, 'Real-Encycl.,' vol. 2. pp. 831-836. Lowe, 'Memorbook of Nurnberg,' pp. 18-28: 1881). . . . <a href="/commentaries/matthew/3-1.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>In Ἐν (En) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1722.htm">Strong's 1722: </a> In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc. those ἐκείναις (ekeinais) Demonstrative Pronoun - Dative Feminine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1565.htm">Strong's 1565: </a> That, that one there, yonder. From ekei; that one (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed. days ἡμέραις (hēmerais) Noun - Dative Feminine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_2250.htm">Strong's 2250: </a> A day, the period from sunrise to sunset. John Ἰωάννης (Iōannēs) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2491.htm">Strong's 2491: </a> Of Hebrew origin; Joannes, the name of four Israelites. the ὁ (ho) Article - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. Baptist βαπτιστὴς (baptistēs) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_910.htm">Strong's 910: </a> From baptizo; a baptizer, as an epithet of Christ's forerunner. came, παραγίνεται (paraginetai) Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3854.htm">Strong's 3854: </a> From para and ginomai; to become near, i.e. Approach; by implication, to appear publicly. preaching κηρύσσων (kēryssōn) Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2784.htm">Strong's 2784: </a> To proclaim, herald, preach. Of uncertain affinity; to herald, especially divine truth. in ἐν (en) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1722.htm">Strong's 1722: </a> In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc. the τῇ (tē) Article - Dative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. wilderness ἐρήμῳ (erēmō) Adjective - Dative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2048.htm">Strong's 2048: </a> Lonesome, i.e. waste. of Judea Ἰουδαίας (Ioudaias) Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2449.htm">Strong's 2449: </a> Judea, a Roman province, capital Jerusalem. Feminine of Ioudaios; the Judaean land, a region of Palestine. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/matthew/3-1.htm">Matthew 3:1 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/matthew/3-1.htm">Matthew 3:1 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/matthew/3-1.htm">Matthew 3:1 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/matthew/3-1.htm">Matthew 3:1 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/matthew/3-1.htm">Matthew 3:1 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/matthew/3-1.htm">Matthew 3:1 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/matthew/3-1.htm">Matthew 3:1 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/matthew/3-1.htm">Matthew 3:1 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/matthew/3-1.htm">Matthew 3:1 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/matthew/3-1.htm">Matthew 3:1 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/matthew/3-1.htm">NT Gospels: Matthew 3:1 In those days John the Baptizer came (Matt. 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