Matthew 3:1
3:1 a John the Baptist announced Jesus’ coming (see Mark 1:1-11 b; Luke 3:1-22 c; John 1:6-8 d, 19-34 e) and prepared people to receive him (Matt 3:3 f). John attracted large crowds (3:5 g) and a group of disciples (9:14 h). This group continued for a short time as a movement, even as the Christian church emerged (see Acts 18:24-28 i).• John’s locale in the Judean wilderness had symbolic significance: The wilderness was associated with the giving of the law (see Exod 19:1 j) and with God’s final redemption of Israel at the end of history (see Isa 40:3 k).
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