Matthew 3:5

Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan,

Then {G5119} went out {G1607} to {G4314} him {G846} Jerusalem {G2414}, and {G2532} all {G3956} Judaea {G2449}, and {G2532} all {G3956} the region round about {G4066} Jordan {G2446},

People went out to him from Yerushalayim, from all Y'hudah, and from the whole region around the Yarden.

People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region around the Jordan.

Then went out unto him Jerusalem, and all Judæa, and all the region round about the Jordan;

Matthew 3:5 vividly describes the immense popular response to John the Baptist's ministry in the wilderness. The verse highlights the widespread appeal of his message, indicating that people from significant population centers and surrounding regions actively sought him out.

Context

This verse immediately follows descriptions of John the Baptist's appearance and preaching. John was a prophetic figure, dressed in camel's hair and eating locusts and wild honey, fulfilling the role of the messenger foretold in the Old Testament. His core message was a powerful call to "Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand," accompanied by a baptism of repentance in the Jordan River. The phrase "Then went out to him" emphasizes the widespread, intentional movement of people from diverse areas – the capital city of Jerusalem, the entire region of Judaea, and the fertile lands "round about Jordan" – indicating a significant spiritual stir and a deep desire for change or understanding among the populace.

Key Themes

  • Massive Appeal: John's ministry was not isolated; it drew enormous crowds, demonstrating a readiness among the populace for a spiritual awakening. This widespread attendance set the stage for the coming of the Messiah.
  • Spiritual Hunger: The willingness of so many to travel to the wilderness suggests a profound spiritual yearning and dissatisfaction with the religious status quo. They were actively seeking a fresh word from God and a path to purification.
  • Preparation for Christ: John's essential role was to "prepare ye the way of the Lord," as prophesied in Isaiah 40:3 and directly quoted by Matthew in Matthew 3:3. The gathering of these crowds was part of God's sovereign plan to ready hearts for Jesus' public ministry.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek verb for "went out" is exeporeuonto (ἐξεπορεύοντο), an imperfect tense verb. This grammatical form conveys a continuous or repeated action, implying that it wasn't a single, isolated event but rather a steady stream of people continually making their way to John. This highlights the sustained impact of his message and the persistent effort of the people to seek him out, underlining the depth of their engagement and the magnetic pull of his prophetic ministry.

Significance and Application

Matthew 3:5 illustrates the powerful impact of a clear, uncompromised message delivered by a prophet sent from God. It shows that when God moves, people respond, even from diverse backgrounds and geographical areas. The widespread response to John's call for repentance serves as a powerful reminder that spiritual truth can resonate deeply with a broad audience, preparing hearts for the Lord's work. It underscores the importance of a heart ready to receive God's word, much like those who flocked to the Jordan to be baptized by John, eagerly anticipating the one who would come after him, Jesus Christ. This verse encourages us to consider our own readiness to respond to God's call in our lives.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Mark 1:5

    And there went out unto him all the land of Judaea, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins.

  • Matthew 11:7

    ¶ And as they departed, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind?

  • Matthew 11:12

    And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.

  • Luke 3:7

    Then said he to the multitude that came forth to be baptized of him, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?

  • John 5:35

    He was a burning and a shining light: and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light.

  • John 3:23

    And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized.

  • Luke 16:16

    The law and the prophets [were] until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it.
← Back