Matthew 3:6 - Exposition

And (they, Revised Version) were baptized . The Revised Version probably desires to call attention to the change in the verb from singular to plural. In Jordan; in the river Jordan (Revised Version, with manuscripts). So also parallel passage in Mark. By him; i.e. their baptism was not self-imposed, but an act of submission to his teaching, and of acceptance of his message. The forerunner saw results, not merely in crowds of listeners, but in external actions. By him (contrast John 4:2 ). Confessing their sins ; i.e. in at least some detail; cf. Josephus, 'Ant.,' 8.4. 6, "confessing their sins and their transgressions of the laws of their country ( ἐξομολογουμένων τὰς ἁμαρτίας αὐτῶν καὶ τὰς τῶν πατρίων νομίμων παραβάσεις );" also Acts 19:18 , "confessing and declaring their deeds" (cf. James 5:16 ).