fulfilment of all that had been promised. But that inevitably brings him into confrontation and conflict with many among existing historical Israel, the old covenant people. With the introduction of the adult Jesus, on the threshold of his ministry, in chapter 3, it is not surprising that John the Baptist’s message is highlighted by Matthew, as a call to a baptism of repentance for the Jews. That, of course, was normally something only required of Gentile proselytes; but John says to his Jewish hearers