Section 3:1–12

John the Baptist taught people to repent and obey God

The story starting at 3:1 occurred about twenty-eight years after 2:23. Matthew did not tell what happened during those twenty-eight years. But he restarted the story at this time in Jesus’ life because Jesus was ready to begin the work that God gave him to do. He began at the time God chose for him.

John the Baptist was the last prophet before Jesus. The story of how John was born is in Luke chapter 1. He was the prophet whom God said would come (3:3). John wore the kind of clothes prophets often wore (3:4). He baptized people who repented. John preached that Jesus would be greater than he was (3:11).

Here are some other possible headings for this section:

The work of John the Baptist/Baptizer
-or-
The work of John who baptized people
-or-
John the Baptizer preached repentance and submission to God’s rule
-or-
John the Baptizer prepared people to receive the Lord

There are parallel passages for this section in Mark 1:1, Luke 3:1–18 and John 1:19–28.

Paragraph 3:1–3

3:1a

In those days: The phrase In those days may indicate “during the time when Jesus was living at Nazareth.” However, about twenty-eight years had passed since the end of chapter 2. If people in your area will think that the phrase In those days means that 3:1 happened soon after 2:23, you may want to include some implied information. For example:

Years later (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
Years passed
-or-
Later, during the days that

John the Baptist: John had baptized many people. As a result, he became known as John the Baptist or “John the Baptizer.” For more information on the meaning of “baptize,” see “were baptized” in the note at 3:6b.

Here are some other ways to translate this title:

John the Baptizer (God’s Word)
-or-
John the one who baptized ⌊people⌋
-or-
John who cleansed ⌊people⌋ ⌊for God⌋
-or-
John the ⌊Ritual⌋ Purifier
-or-
John who initiated ⌊people⌋ with God’s washing

the Baptist: The word Baptist has the same meaning here as the word “baptizer.” It refers to a person who baptizes people. The verb “baptize” means to purify people with a special ritual that uses water. In this context, the ritual involved purification from sin. It did not mean that the person was cleaned to remove dirt. Baptism was an initiation that marked the beginning of a person’s life as one of God’s pure people.

came: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as came can also mean “appear,” or “make a public appearance.” It indicates that at this time John began his work.

Here are some other ways to translate this verb:

appeared (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
began (New Century Version)

3:1b

preaching: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as preaching means to publicly “announce,” or “proclaim.” John was announcing the message that God had given to him. The words of 3:2 indicate what he was preaching.

Here are some other ways to translate this verb:

publicly announcing
-or-
proclaiming this message (Revised English Bible)
-or-
telling people God’s message

in the wilderness: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as wilderness refers to a wild, desolate area where few people lived. Some English versions translate this word as “desert” (New International Version). It was often a dry area, but it was not just sand and barren. Some wild grasses and bushes grew there. Many people went out to this wilderness to hear John preach. The focus here is that few people lived there, not that it was dry.

Some languages have a special word to refer to such an area, such as “the bush” (Africa) or “steppes” (Asia). It may be appropriate to use such a word here.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

Desert (New International Version)
-or-
empty land
-or-
region where no one lives

of Judea: The noun Judea refers to a district or province. It was one of the areas where Jews lived.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

in ⌊the province of⌋ Judea

-or-

that was in ⌊the district of⌋ Judea

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