At the start of this chapter, concerning the baptism of John, begins the gospel ; what went before is but preface or introduction; this is “the beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ.” And Peter observes the same date, Acts 1:22, beginning from the baptism of John, for then Christ began first to…

We have here an account of the preaching and baptism of John, which were the dawning of the gospel-day. Observe, I. The time when he appeared. In those days , or, after those days, long after what was recorded in the foregoing chapter, which left the child Jesus in his infancy.

The doctrine John preached was that of repentance, in consideration of the kingdom of heaven being at hand; now here we have the use of that doctrine. Application is the life of preaching, so it was of John’s preaching. Observe, 1.

Our Lord Jesus, from his childhood till now, when he was almost thirty years of age, had lain hid in Galilee, as it were, buried alive; but now, after a long and dark night, behold, the Sun of righteousness rises in glory.