Ἐν δὲ ταῖς ἡμέραις ἐκείναις παραγίνεται Ἰωάννης ὁ βαπτιστὴς κηρύσσων ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ τῆς Ἰουδαίας (Matthew 3:1)
Now in those days, John the Baptist comes, preaching in the wilderness of Judea.
A Transitional Announcement
Matthew 3:1 marks a decisive shift in the Gospel narrative. After recounting Jesus’ infancy and early life, Matthew turns to the public ministry of John the Baptist: “In those days John the Baptist comes, preaching in the wilderness of Judea.” The Greek syntax here is simple yet loaded with significance. The verb παραγίνεται signals the sudden appearance of a prophetic figure, while the participle κηρύσσων highlights the activity that defines him. The setting — “the wilderness of Judea” — is equally critical, evoking biblical imagery of preparation, testing, and revelation. This verse serves as a grammatical and theological doorway into the story of the Messiah’s forerunner.
Core Verbs and Participles
- παραγίνεται — “comes/appears”: present middle/passive deponent, 3rd singular of παραγίνομαι. The verb emphasizes arrival or presence, often with solemn or official nuance.
- κηρύσσων — “preaching”: present active participle, nominative masculine singular of κηρύσσω. Describes ongoing proclamation, a hallmark of John’s identity.
Parsing Table
| Greek Form | Parsing | Aspect | Function | Translation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| παραγίνεται | Pres. mid./dep. ind., 3rd sg. of παραγίνομαι | Imperfective | Indicates John’s arrival in narrative time | “comes / appears” |
| κηρύσσων | Pres. act. part., nom. masc. sg. of κηρύσσω | Imperfective | Describes ongoing proclamation, linked to identity | “preaching” |
The Temporal Marker: Ἐν δὲ ταῖς ἡμέραις ἐκείναις
The phrase ἐν δὲ ταῖς ἡμέραις ἐκείναις — “in those days” — is deliberately vague. It functions not as a precise chronological note but as a narrative transition, linking the infancy narrative with the ministry of John. In biblical Greek, such phrases often situate events within the flow of salvation history rather than a specific date. The demonstrative ἐκείναις points backward, signaling continuity while preparing for something new.
The Arrival Verb: παραγίνεται
The verb παραγίνεται is stronger than a simple “he came.” It often connotes appearance in an official or significant sense, used for messengers, dignitaries, or prophetic figures. By using the present tense in narrative (the historical present), Matthew brings immediacy: John is not merely past history but dramatically present to the reader. This grammatical choice reflects the urgency of his ministry.
The Title: Ἰωάννης ὁ βαπτιστής
John is introduced with a descriptive title: ὁ βαπτιστής — “the Baptizer.” The use of the article ὁ marks him not just as a baptizer among many but as the one defined by this role. His identity is inseparable from his practice of baptism, and his title distinguishes him uniquely in the Gospel story. Greek grammar thus fuses name and mission into one expression.
The Defining Activity: κηρύσσων
The participle κηρύσσων functions adjectivally, explaining what John was doing: he was characterized by preaching. The present tense captures the ongoing nature of his proclamation. In Hellenistic usage, κηρύσσω often refers to the herald’s official announcement on behalf of a king. In this context, John acts as the herald of God’s kingdom, announcing repentance and preparation. The participle emphasizes that proclamation was not a momentary act but his ongoing identity.
The Setting: ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ τῆς Ἰουδαίας
The wilderness (ἔρημος) of Judea is geographically a desert-like area near the Jordan River. Biblically, the wilderness is the place of testing (Israel’s forty years), encounter with God (Moses and Elijah), and preparation (Isaiah 40:3). By placing John in the wilderness, Matthew invokes these associations. The genitive τῆς Ἰουδαίας specifies the location, grounding John’s ministry in Jewish soil yet symbolically preparing for a message that will extend beyond Judea.
Lexical Observations
- παραγίνομαι — more than “come,” it implies arriving on the scene with significance.
- κηρύσσω — technical for heraldic proclamation; authority derives from the sender, not the herald himself.
- ἔρημος — “wilderness,” simultaneously literal desert and theological symbol of divine encounter and preparation.
Theological Implications
The grammar of Matthew 3:1 highlights both John’s identity and the theological significance of his ministry. The historical present παραγίνεται brings immediacy, as if the reader stands with the crowds in the wilderness. The participle κηρύσσων underscores proclamation as John’s defining mission, preparing the way for the Messiah. The setting in the wilderness echoes Israel’s formative experiences, reminding readers that God’s redemptive acts begin in places of barrenness and testing. Together, grammar and imagery frame John not as an isolated ascetic but as the herald of a new era in salvation history.
Grammar as Herald
Matthew 3:1 shows how Greek grammar can function like a herald’s trumpet. The historical present demands attention, the participle paints character, and the wilderness setting resonates with layers of meaning. Just as John’s voice broke the silence of Judea’s deserts, the grammar of this verse breaks into the narrative with urgency and clarity. Through tense, aspect, and participial structure, Matthew introduces not just a man but a message: prepare, for God’s kingdom is at hand.
