Matthew 3:1 Commentary and Bible Study

John the Baptist was the last of the Old Testament prophets. He was sent to announce the coming of Christ, and he appeared suddenly in the wilderness of Judaea; in the wilderness, but also in the more rural parts, the mountainous parts, and these locations are significant. The crowds came from the cities but had to travel out to where he was. He was the son of a priest having aged parents, and they died early. Probably, following their death he then went to the remote places (Luke 1:80). He is called by Calvin ‘a man of the mountains’.According to Christ in Matthew 11:7-11 and there was no greater man. Great in what sense? In the length of his ministry? No, it was a short ministry. Great in status? No, he had none. Great in his privileged office? Yes, and more. He was the most privileged of prophets. Undoubtedly he was a man of intellect. He had a detailed priestly education, but he was also great in holiness. He was a Nazarite from birth (Luke 1:15), meticulous, dedicated to the Lord. He went to the lonely places to pray, and practice deep contemplation. He had discernment, demonstrated in his ability to see through the hypocrisy of the Jewish leaders, and his discerning the hearts of the people who came for baptism. He possessed great physical power, but also courage. In this respect he was similar to, but greater than, Martin Luther. He was also a very forthright preacher, who condemned hypocrites to their faces.His ministry was a call to repentance. He prepared the way for the coming Messiah, and threw down the obstructions of ungodliness. He was unpopular with some, yet powerful, and he moved the crowds. Like George Whitfield operating at a time of revival he must have had a mighty voice to preach to the crowds in the open air, and God gave him powers of persuasion. Jerusalem and Judea and all the region around the Jordan went out to him. This may have been over time, but many say this describes whole towns turning out to hear him.He was disliked by the chief priests and the elders (Matthew 21:25-27), but had great popularity with the common people. He demonstrated outstanding humility, for he gave place with alacrity to Christ without a word of resistance, once the Lord’s public ministry began (John 3:26-27).