OET interlinear MAT 3:1

3:1a

In those days: The phrase In those days may indicate “during the time when Jesus was living at Nazareth.” However, about twenty-eight years had passed since the end of chapter 2. If people in your area will think that the phrase In those days means that 3:1 happened soon after 2:23, you may want to include some implied information. For example:

Years later (CEV)

Years passed

Later, during the days that

John the Baptist: John had baptized many people. As a result, he became known as John the Baptist or “John the Baptizer.” For more information on the meaning of “baptize,” see “were baptized” in the note at 3:6b.

Here are some other ways to translate this title:

John the Baptizer (GW)

John the one who baptized people

John who cleansed people for God

John the Ritual Purifier

John who initiated people with God’s washing

the Baptist: The word Baptist has the same meaning here as the word “baptizer.” It refers to a person who baptizes people. The verb “baptize” means to purify people with a special ritual that uses water. In this context, the ritual involved purification from sin. It did not mean that the person was cleaned to remove dirt. Baptism was an initiation that marked the beginning of a person’s life as one of God’s pure people.

came: The Greek verb that the BSB translates as came can also mean “appear,” or “make a public appearance.” It indicates that at this time John began his work.

Here are some other ways to translate this verb:

appeared (NRSV)

began (NCV)

3:1b

preaching: The Greek word that the BSB translates as preaching means to publicly “announce,” or “proclaim.” John was announcing the message that God had given to him. The words of 3:2 indicate what he was preaching.

Here are some other ways to translate this verb:

publicly announcing

proclaiming this message (REB)

telling people God’s message

in the wilderness: The Greek word that the BSB translates as wilderness refers to a wild, desolate area where few people lived. Some English versions translate this word as “desert” (NIV). It was often a dry area, but it was not just sand and barren. Some wild grasses and bushes grew there. Many people went out to this wilderness to hear John preach. The focus here is that few people lived there, not that it was dry.

Some languages have a special word to refer to such an area, such as “the bush” (Africa) or “steppes” (Asia). It may be appropriate to use such a word here.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

Desert (NIV)

empty land

region where no one lives

of Judea: The noun Judea refers to a district or province. It was one of the areas where Jews lived.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

in the province of Judea

that was in the district of Judea