Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 3:5
Jordan - Many of the best MSS. and versions, with Mark 1:5 , add ποταμω , the river Jordan; but the definitive article, with which the word is generally accompanied, both in the Hebrew and the Greek, is, sufficient; and our article the, which should ever be used in the translation, expresses the force of the other. read more
John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 3:7
But when he saw many of the Pharisees ,.... This being the first place in which mention is made of the Pharisees and Sadducees, it may not be amiss to give some account of them once for all, and to begin with the Pharisees, and first with their name. Some derive this word from פרץ pharatz to "divide", to "make a breach", from whence Phares had his name Genesis 38:29 so Jerom F21 Trad. Heb. in Gen. fol. 72. D. Tom. 3. , who observes, that "the Pharisees, who separated themselves... read more