1. And in those days.] The evangelist shows us first the message of the forerunner [1–6], secondly his opposition to the Pharisees [7–12]. In the first part, the evangelist a. describes the circumstances of the message; b. he gives the words in which it is conveyed; c. he confirms it by the example of the messenger; d. he states its immediate effects. 1. Message of forerunner a. The circumstances of the message: α. The time is indicated in the words “and in those days,” which is the indefinite formula
Matthew 3:1