Matthew 3:5

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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},

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 3:5 vividly describes the overwhelming popular response to John the Baptist's ministry in the wilderness. This verse portrays a massive exodus of people from the most significant population centers and surrounding regions of Judea, all actively seeking out John. It highlights the widespread appeal of his prophetic message and baptism, indicating a profound spiritual stir and a deep readiness among the populace for the coming of the Messiah.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Matthew 3:5 immediately follows the introduction of John the Baptist, detailing his appearance, ascetic lifestyle, and powerful message. Verses 1-4 establish John as a prophetic figure, fulfilling the Old Testament prophecy of a voice crying in the wilderness, preparing the way for the Lord. His core message, "Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand" ([Matthew 3:2](/matthew/3-2 "Matthew 3:2 - John's Call to Repentance")), was accompanied by a baptism of repentance in the Jordan River. The phrase "Then went out to him" in verse 5 signifies the direct and immediate consequence of John's proclamation, demonstrating the widespread and intentional movement of people to hear his message and receive his baptism, setting the stage for the subsequent narrative of Jesus' own baptism and the commencement of His public ministry.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** First-century Judea was a land under Roman occupation, experiencing significant political and religious tensions. Jerusalem was the spiritual and political capital, the seat of the Temple and the Sanhedrin. Judea encompassed the broader southern region of Palestine. The "region round about Jordan" refers to the fertile, populated areas along the Jordan River, a natural and historically significant boundary. People traveled to the wilderness, a place often associated with prophetic encounters and spiritual renewal in Jewish tradition. The widespread response to John, a prophet operating outside the established religious institutions, suggests a deep spiritual hunger and dissatisfaction with the religious status quo among the common people, who were yearning for a fresh word from God and the fulfillment of messianic prophecies.
* **Key Themes:** Matthew 3:5 powerfully contributes to several key themes within the Gospel of Matthew. Firstly, it underscores the **Massive Appeal** of God's prophetic word, demonstrating that John's ministry was not isolated but drew enormous crowds, signifying a readiness among the populace for a spiritual awakening and the coming of the Messiah. This widespread attendance sets the stage for Jesus' public ministry, fulfilling the role of John to "prepare ye the way of the Lord" as prophesied in [Isaiah 40:3](/isaiah/40-3 "Isaiah 40:3 - The Voice in the Wilderness") and directly quoted by Matthew in [Matthew 3:3](/matthew/3-3 "Matthew 3:3 - John as the Voice in the Wilderness"). Secondly, the willingness of so many to travel to the wilderness points to a profound **Spiritual Hunger** and dissatisfaction with the prevailing religious climate, actively seeking a path to purification and a fresh word from God. This collective yearning highlights the divine orchestration of events, preparing hearts for the one who was to come, as seen in John's declaration about Jesus in [Matthew 3:11](/matthew/3-11 "Matthew 3:11 - John Prophesies About Jesus' Baptism").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **went out (Greek, _ekporeúomai'_):** From `ek` (out of) and `poreúomai` (to go, travel), this verb signifies a purposeful departure or movement from one place to another. In the imperfect tense (as used in the original Greek), `exeporeuonto` implies a continuous or repeated action, suggesting that it was not a single, isolated event but rather a steady, ongoing 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.
* **all (Greek, _pâs'_):** This word, meaning "all, any, every, the whole," emphasizes the comprehensive and inclusive nature of the crowds. It suggests a vast multitude, not just a select few, indicating the widespread influence and magnetic pull of John's prophetic ministry across various demographics and regions. It conveys the idea of a universal response within the specified geographical boundaries.
* **region round about (Greek, _períchōros'_):** Derived from `perí` (around) and `chōra` (region), this term refers to the circumjacent area, the vicinity or surrounding country. Its inclusion underscores the expansive geographical reach of John's influence, extending beyond the major urban centers to include the more rural and outlying areas along the Jordan River, further emphasizing the immense and diverse nature of the crowds drawn to him.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then went out to him Jerusalem,"**: This clause indicates a significant movement of people from the capital city, Jerusalem. The city itself is personified, representing its inhabitants. This highlights the profound impact of John's ministry, drawing even those from the religious and political center, suggesting a deep spiritual need that transcended social and religious boundaries.
* **"and all Judaea,"**: Expanding beyond the capital, this phrase signifies that the entire region of Judea, the southern province of Palestine, responded. The use of "all" emphasizes the comprehensive nature of this movement, indicating that the call to repentance resonated throughout the province, not just in isolated pockets.
* **"and all the region round about Jordan,"**: This final phrase broadens the scope even further, encompassing the areas surrounding the Jordan River. This geographical detail is crucial as John conducted his baptisms in the Jordan, making this region the immediate locus of his ministry. The inclusion of "all" here reinforces the idea of a complete and overwhelming response from the diverse populations inhabiting these lands, underscoring the widespread nature of the spiritual awakening John ignited.

#### Literary Devices
Matthew 3:5 employs several powerful literary devices to convey the immense impact of John the Baptist's ministry. The most prominent is **Hyperbole**, where the text states that "Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan" went out to him. While not literally every single person from these vast areas would have gone, the exaggerated language effectively communicates the overwhelming, unprecedented scale of the crowds and the widespread enthusiasm for John's message. This hyperbole serves to emphasize the profound spiritual hunger and the magnetic pull of John's prophetic call. Additionally, **Synecdoche** is present in the phrase "Jerusalem... went out," where the city itself stands in for its inhabitants. This literary shorthand powerfully conveys the idea that the entire populace of the capital was affected and moved to respond. Finally, the verse functions as a form of **Foreshadowing**, setting the stage for the even greater crowds and widespread appeal that Jesus' ministry would soon command, indicating that the ground was being prepared for the coming of the Messiah.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 3:5 powerfully illustrates the divine orchestration of events leading up to the public ministry of Jesus Christ. The widespread response to John the Baptist underscores the deep spiritual hunger prevalent in Israel and God's faithfulness in sending a prophet to prepare the way. John's ministry served as a crucial bridge between the Old Testament prophetic tradition and the dawning of the New Covenant. The massive turnout signifies a collective readiness for repentance and a yearning for righteousness, demonstrating that God was actively drawing people to Himself in anticipation of His Son. This verse highlights the theme of divine initiative and human response, emphasizing that when God's truth is proclaimed with authority, it resonates deeply within the hearts of those prepared to receive it, setting the stage for the inauguration of the Kingdom of Heaven.

* [Malachi 3:1](/malachi/3-1 "Malachi 3:1 - The Messenger of the Covenant")
* [Luke 3:7](/luke/3-7 "Luke 3:7 - John's Stern Warning to the Crowds")
* [Acts 13:24](/acts/13-24 "Acts 13:24 - John's Baptism of Repentance")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 3:5 serves as a profound testament to the power of a clear, uncompromised message delivered by a prophet sent from God. The immense crowds that "went out" to John in the wilderness, leaving the comforts of their homes and cities, speak volumes about the depth of spiritual hunger and the yearning for truth that can exist within a populace. Their willingness to endure the journey and the harshness of the wilderness to hear a word from God challenges us to examine our own level of spiritual earnestness. Are we willing to step out of our comfort zones, to seek God diligently, and to respond wholeheartedly to His call for repentance and transformation? This verse encourages us to cultivate a heart that is receptive to God's voice, to actively pursue spiritual growth, and to be prepared for the ways in which God might call us to prepare our own hearts, and the hearts of others, for the ongoing work of Christ in the world. It reminds us that genuine spiritual revival often begins with a profound personal and collective turning towards God, just as it did for those who flocked to the Jordan.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What does the widespread response to John the Baptist's ministry reveal about the spiritual state of the people in his time, and how does this compare to the spiritual hunger (or lack thereof) in our own society today?**
* **What "wilderness" might God be calling you to go out to, metaphorically speaking, in order to encounter Him more deeply or to receive a fresh word from Him?**
* **How does your personal pursuit of God's truth and your willingness to respond to His call reflect the earnestness shown by the crowds in Matthew 3:5?**
* **In what ways can we, as individuals and as a community, better prepare our hearts and the hearts of others for the ongoing work of Christ in the world, mirroring John's preparatory ministry?**

### FAQ
**Why did so many people go out to John the Baptist in the wilderness?**

Answer: The immense crowds that went out to John the Baptist indicate a deep spiritual hunger and widespread anticipation for divine intervention in Israel. For centuries, there had been no prophetic voice, and the people were yearning for a word from God. John's ascetic lifestyle, bold preaching of repentance, and powerful message that "the kingdom of heaven is at hand" ([Matthew 3:2](/matthew/3-2 "Matthew 3:2 - John's Message of Repentance")) resonated deeply with their dissatisfaction with the religious establishment and their longing for a Messiah. His ministry fulfilled Old Testament prophecies, particularly that of a messenger preparing the way for the Lord ([Isaiah 40:3](/isaiah/40-3 "Isaiah 40:3 - Preparing the Way of the Lord")), which would have been recognized by many. The act of going out to the wilderness itself symbolized a spiritual pilgrimage and a desire for purification and a fresh start.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 3:5, by depicting the massive response to John the Baptist, sets the stage for the Christ-centered fulfillment that is the very heart of the Gospel. John's entire ministry was preparatory, a divinely appointed prelude to the advent of Jesus. The crowds flocking to the Jordan were not merely seeking John; they were, in essence, being prepared by God for the one who would come after him, the true Messiah. John himself declared, "I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire" ([Matthew 3:11](/matthew/3-11 "Matthew 3:11 - John's Prophecy of Jesus' Baptism")). This widespread spiritual awakening and turning to repentance, initiated by John, created fertile ground for Jesus' subsequent ministry, which would offer not just a baptism of repentance but the very forgiveness of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit. The people's journey to John foreshadows the greater journey of faith that all are called to undertake towards Jesus, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). Thus, the immense popularity of John's ministry ultimately serves to magnify the greater glory and saving work of Christ, to whom all true repentance and preparation ultimately lead.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

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.