After recording the birth and childhood of the Lord Jesus, Matthew introduces the preparatory ministry of John the Baptist (3:1). Over 30 years have elapsed since the birth of Jesus. John is known as “the baptizer” because he baptized others. Ritual baths were well known in the time of Christ as illustrated by the famous oversized mikvah discovered at Qumran near the Dead Sea.11 The participle utilized by Matthew that is translated “preaching” has the idea of
Matthew 3:1–12