People Coming to See John the Baptist Matthew 3:5

Matthew shared how Joseph after being in Egypt with Mary and Jesus, “came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene. Matthew continued, “In those days came John the Baptist, and saying, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. And the same John had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leather girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey”, and in chapter three and verse five of his book, Matthew shared, “then went out to him Jerusalem … Judea … and all the region round about Jordan” where we read:

Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judea, and all the region round about Jordan,

The verse reads, “Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judea, ...” Matthew began with the words, “then went out” which means “at that time departed, came forth and proceeded” “to him” which refers to “to John the Baptist” “Jerusalem” or “the people of the city whose name is set you double peace”, “and all Judea” which means “and each, every, the whole and everyone of the people within the southern portion of Palestine lying on this side of the Jordan and the Dead Sea, to distinguish it from Samaria, Galilee, Peraea, and Idumaea which means he shall be praised”. Matthew shared how people from all over the city of “Jerusalem” and “Judea” came to see John the Baptist.

The verse goes on to say, “... and all the region round about Jordan.” Matthew continued with the words, “and all the region” which means “and each, every, the whole and everyone of the neighboring country” “round about” or “surrounding” “Jordan” which means “the descender” and refers to “the one river of Palestine and has its course of little more than 200 miles (300 km), from the roots of Anti-Lebanon to the head of the Dead Sea”. Matthew shared how people from all around “Jordan” were coming to see John the Baptist as well.

When we consider Matthew's words in this verse, we see how people from all the surrounding area went out to see John the Baptist. God wanted people to know there was a Messiah who was coming, and He employed John the Baptist to be one who announced His appearance. The “Savior” of the world was going to be on the scene, and all who are wise shall be gathered together to hear the announcement of John the Baptist - “repent, the kingdom of heaven is at hand”.

Next time Matthew shares how the people, “were baptized of him in Jordan” so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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