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Verse Takeaways
1
The Wilderness Preacher
Commentators explain that the "wilderness of Judea" was not an empty, barren desert but a rugged, sparsely populated region. John's choice of this location was symbolic. It was free from city distractions, a fitting backdrop for his raw message of repentance, and it evoked Israel's history with God in the desert. His location was an integral part of his message.
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Matthew
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Commentaries
11
Albert Barnes
On Matthew 3:1
18th Century
Theologian
MATTHEW CHAPTER 3
In those days. The days referred to here cannot be those mentioned in the preceding chapter, for John was only si…
AT Robertson
On Matthew 3:1
And in those days cometh John the Baptist (εν δε ταις ημεραις παραγινετα Ιωανης ο Βαπτιστης). Here the synoptic narrative begins w…
Charles Spurgeon
On Matthew 3:1–2
19th Century
Preacher
While Jesus still remained at Nazareth, His relative, the Baptist, made his appearance. The morning star is seen before the sun. John did not come …
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Expositor's Bible Commentary
On Matthew 3:1
“John” had been a popular name among the Jews from the time of John Hyrcanus (died 106 B. C.). The John of this verse was soon designated “the Bapt…
John Calvin
On Matthew 3:1
16th Century
Theologian
Now in those days. And in the fifteenth year. It could not be determined from Matthew and Mark at what age John began to preach, …
John Gill
On Matthew 3:1
17th Century
Pastor
In those days came John the Baptist
The Evangelist having given an account of the genealogy and birth of Christ; of …
Matthew Henry
On Matthew 3:1–6
17th Century
Minister
After Malachi, there was no prophet until John the Baptist came. He appeared first in the wilderness of Judea. This was not an uninhabited desert, …
Thomas Aquinas
On Matthew 3:1–12
13th Century
Philosopher
The Evangelist wrote about Christ’s entrance into the world; now, however, he writes about the course of His life, which is, in fact, considered ac…