Matthew 3 1

Matthew 3:1 kjv

In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,

Matthew 3:1 nkjv

In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea,

Matthew 3:1 niv

In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea

Matthew 3:1 esv

In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea,

Matthew 3:1 nlt

In those days John the Baptist came to the Judean wilderness and began preaching. His message was,

Matthew 3 verses

Matthew 3 1 Meaning

Matthew chapter 3 verse 1 introduces John the Baptist, a pivotal figure sent by God to prepare the way for Jesus Christ. It states that in a significant period after Jesus' childhood, John appeared publically in the sparsely inhabited region of Judea, declaring an urgent message. This message, detailed in subsequent verses, was a call for repentance in anticipation of the imminent Kingdom of Heaven, signaling the start of a new divine era. His appearance in the wilderness deliberately echoed Old Testament prophetic tradition, marking him as a divine messenger ushering in the long-awaited Messiah.

Matthew 3 1 Context

Matthew 3:1 transitions the narrative from the early life of Jesus, marked by the angelic announcements, miraculous birth, flight to Egypt, and return to Nazareth (Mt 1-2), to the commencement of His public ministry. This verse bridges a silent period of approximately 25-30 years, jumping forward from Jesus' childhood to the time of John the Baptist's emergence. It sets the immediate stage for John's role as the forerunner who prepares the Jewish nation for the long-anticipated Messiah. Historically, first-century Judea was under Roman occupation, characterized by messianic expectation and a complex religious landscape dominated by various Jewish sects (Pharisees, Sadducees, Essenes), each with their own interpretations of scripture and the coming Kingdom. John's appearance outside the established religious centers, in the wilderness, challenged conventional thinking and signaled a radical, divine intervention in preparing hearts for the new covenant era.

Matthew 3 1 Word analysis

• In those days: Greek: ἐν δὲ ταῖς ἡμέραις ἐκείναις (en de tais hēmerais ekeinais).
  • Signifies a crucial transitionary period, linking events from previous chapters (Jesus' childhood) to John's public appearance, indicating a lapse of approximately 30 years from Jesus' return to Nazareth (Mt 2:23).
  • Highlights the divine timing and prophetic fulfillment, as it introduces the long-awaited precursor to the Messiah.
• came: Greek: παραγίνεται (paraginetai).
  • Meaning: to appear, arrive, come forth.
  • Conveys the sudden, impactful emergence of John onto the public scene, signaling an important, divinely appointed event rather than a casual arrival. The present tense verb provides vividness.
• John the Baptist: Greek: Ἰωάννης ὁ βαπτιστής (Iōannēs ho baptistēs).
  • John (Ἰωάννης - Iōannēs): From Hebrew "Yochanan," meaning "Yahweh is gracious." This name itself carries theological weight, aligning with God's gracious intervention through John to announce the Messiah.
  • the Baptist (ὁ βαπτιστής - ho baptistēs): Meaning "the one who baptizes" or "the immerser." This epithet became his defining title, emphasizing his unique ritual of water immersion for repentance, distinct from common Jewish ritual washings. This practice became central to his ministry, symbolizing cleansing and commitment before God.
  • Significance: Identifies the specific individual, marked by his distinct role and ministry. His identity is intrinsically linked to his function, as "the one who baptizes" prepares the way for Christ.
• preaching: Greek: κηρύσσων (kēryssōn).
  • Meaning: to proclaim, announce publicly, herald, often with authority.
  • More than teaching, it's a formal declaration or authoritative pronouncement, implying an urgent message from God. John wasn't offering opinions but delivering God's mandate, demanding a response from his hearers.
• in the wilderness: Greek: ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ (en tē erēmō).
  • Meaning: desert, desolate, uncultivated, sparsely populated region. Not necessarily barren, but an uninhabited area away from cities.
  • Significance (Old Testament echo): The wilderness in Jewish tradition is a place of divine revelation (Sinai), testing (Israel's 40 years), new beginnings (Exodus), and prophetic preparation (Elijah). John's location intentionally evoked Isaiah 40:3, positioning him as the prophetic "voice crying in the wilderness," calling for spiritual preparation for the Lord. It signifies separation from established religious and political centers, underscoring the spiritual nature of his movement and challenging the complacency of Jerusalem.
• of Judea: Greek: τῆς Ἰουδαίας (tēs Ioudaias).
  • Specifies the geographic region within the larger Roman province of Judea. This narrows down the wilderness, indicating the region where John’s public ministry began. It signifies the primary audience was within the historical land of Israel, the inheritors of the covenants.
  • Emphasizes the strategic location of his ministry at the heart of the Jewish world, where the prophecies would culminate.

Matthew 3 1 Bonus section

• Prophetic Interlude Ended: The appearance of John breaks a 400-year period of prophetic silence since the time of Malachi, signaling a new and momentous chapter in God's redemptive plan for humanity. His abrupt emergence parallels the unexpected nature of divine intervention.
• A "New Exodus" Implied: John's ministry in the wilderness, mirroring the location of Israel's journey from bondage to the Promised Land, hinted at a "new Exodus"—a spiritual liberation and cleansing, leading to a new relationship with God under the Messiah.
• Challenging the Status Quo: By operating outside the Temple establishment and centers of power, John's ministry implicitly critiqued the religious and political authorities, urging a return to genuine faith and repentance rather than mere ritualistic observance.
• Divine Preparation: The focus on John "preparing the way" is critical. His mission wasn't merely evangelistic; it was a profound act of spiritual land-clearing, making hearts fertile for the reception of Jesus' teachings and kingdom.

Matthew 3 1 Commentary

Matthew 3:1 effectively opens the gateway to the gospel narrative's climax: the advent of Jesus' public ministry. It immediately establishes John the Baptist's divinely appointed role as the harbinger, appearing after years of divine silence since the last prophet, a time of eager anticipation for God's action. His presence in the Judean wilderness is highly symbolic, mirroring Old Testament patterns where God revealed Himself and prepared His people anew (Exodus, Elijah). John's "preaching" was an authoritative, urgent "heralding" of a momentous change, calling Israel to spiritual renewal and readiness. This singular verse compresses centuries of prophetic expectation into a momentous beginning, emphasizing the divine orchestration of events and setting the stage for the Kingdom of Heaven's imminent arrival. The silence broken by this wilderness cry highlights that God's plan unfolds in His perfect timing, calling humanity to active preparation for His presence.