Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan,
The fulness of time had come for the gospel to dawn. Christ and John both lay hidden in obscurity through their childhood and youth, not recorded, not remarkable, to teach us that God often hides Himself even while He works, and that our faith must look to Christ's office and undertaking, where His power truly shines.
AI summary
Commenting on Matthew 3:1-6
His strange dress, austere life, weighty teaching, and the novelty of baptism drew them; add that the Jews had had no prophet for centuries and suspected him of being the Messiah. When "all" went out to him, it means very many, the word stretches to cover the multitudes, from Jerusalem, all Judea, and the whole region round about Jordan.
AI summary
When the text says all Jerusalem and all Judea went out, it means great multitudes, not that literally every person came. The language is general, sweeping; it shows how widespread was the response to John's preaching across the region.
AI summary