In. And in. Greek. en de. See App-104.
In those days. Hebrew idiom for an indefinite time (Exodus 2:11; Exodus 2:23.Isaiah 38:1, &c): while the Lord, being grown up, was still dwelling in Nazareth. App-169. Compare Matthew 2:23.
came. Greek comes: i.e. presenteth himself.
came John, &c. Because "the word of God" had come to him (Luke 3:2).
John the Baptist. John the baptizer.
preaching. proclaiming as. herald. App-121.
in. Greek. en. App-104.
wilderness. country parts, which were not without towns or villages. David passed much of his time there. So John, probably in some occupation also; John now thirty years old. He was the last and greatest of the prophets, and would have been reckoned as Elijah himself, or as an Elijah (Matthew 11:14. Compare Malachi 3:1; Malachi 4:5) had the nation obeyed his proclamation.