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Mat 3:1. Ἐν ταῖς ἡμέραις ἐκείναις, in those days) In the Evangelistaries1[112] this formula merely denotes the commencement of an extract; but in the Gospels it has a more definite meaning. In the present case it signifies, “whilst Jesus was dwelling at Nazareth.”-See ch. Mat 2:23.[113] An interval of time is denoted between the events last recorded and those now mentioned, not short, yet not remarkable for any great change.-παραγίνεται, cometh) This word is pleasantly repeated at Mat 3:13 : the LXX. frequently introduce it in the present tense.-κηρύσσων, preaching) sc. loudly. The expression in Mat 3:3, φωνὴ βοῶντος (the voice of one crying), agrees with this. The words ὁ βαπτιστὴς, the Baptist, and κηρύσσων, preaching, declare the two parts of John’s office.-ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ, in the wilderness) See Mat 3:3.
[112] 1 The Evangelistaria were selections of ecclesiastical readings from the Gospels.-(I. B.)
[113] At the time that John entered on his public life, Joseph was probably no longer in the land of the living. Therefore, in the words of the text, the reference is to Him, of whom it was said by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene. Jesus sojourned at Nazareth from His return out of Egypt up to the time of John’s entrance on his ministry.-Harm., p. 63.