In (a) those days came (1) John the Baptist, preaching in the (b) wilderness of Judaea,
(a) Not when Joseph went to dwell at Nazareth, but a great while after, about fifteen years: for in the 30th year of his life Jesus was baptized by John: therefore "those days" means the time when Jesus remained as an inhabitant of the town of Nazareth. (1) John, who through his singular holiness and rare austerity of life caused men to cast their eyes on him, prepares the way for Christ who is following fast on his heels, as the prophet Isaiah foretold, and delivers the sum of the gospel, which a short time later would be delivered more fully.
(b) In a hilly country, which was nonetheless inhabited, for Zacharias dwelt there, (Luke 1:39-40), and there was Joab's house, (1 Kings 2:34); and besides these, Joshua makes mention of six towns that were in the wilderness, (Joshua 15:61-62).