Matthew 3:5

Content sourced from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

Matthew 3:5 — Simple version

What the verse says
- People from Jerusalem, all of Judea, and the whole area around the Jordan went out to hear John the Baptist preach.

A plain translation of the line
- King James Version: “Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan.”
- World English Bible: “Then people from Jerusalem, all of Judea, and all the region around the Jordan went out to him.”

What this shows
- John the Baptist drew large crowds from nearby towns and regions.
- He was preaching near the Jordan River, not far from Jerusalem, which would make a journey possible for many pilgrims.

Historical context
- The passage fits with the idea that John’s message attracted many people in that time and place.
- Ancient historian Josephus also describes crowds gathering around John, lending credibility to the biblical account.

What commentators note (in simple terms)
- Early church writers said John’s strict, desert life drew attention and curiosity from the Jewish people.
- They described his preaching about Heaven, God’s Kingdom, and the coming judgment, which was a new focus compared to older prophetic messages.

Why this matters
- Matthew 3:5 shows the reach and impact of John’s preaching and sets the stage for Jesus’ later ministry.