The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 3:1-3
Preparation for Christ. It was no accident that brought about the conjunction of the mission of John the Baptist with the advent of our Lord. A Divine providence, the purpose of which was declared in an ancient prophecy, connected the two events. The conjunction is shown by that prophecy not to be like one of binary stars. The work of Christ is not associated with that of John. The Baptist is but the forerunner—the pioneer opening up the way for the glorious King. I. PREPARATION FOR ... read more
The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 3:1
The mission of preaching. "Preaching in the wilderness of Judaea." John Baptist was not a teacher; he was precisely a preacher, in the first and proper sense of that word. Everywhere in the New Testament it implies proclaiming after the manner of a herald. It is the term used in the Old Testament of the witnessing work of the prophets (see Nehemiah 6:7 ; Isaiah 61:1 ; Jonah 3:2 , etc.). There is a distinct place for the preacher and for the teacher. They may be combined in one man,... read more