And he came into all the country about Jordan
He came out of the wilderness of Judea, where he first began his
ministry, to some parts of the country that bordered on Jordan,
and was near unto it, on either side the river; sometimes he was
at Bethabara, and sometimes at Aenon, near Salim; for he did not
take a tour round about all, the country that encompassed Jordan,
but being at it, or in places adjacent to it, all the country
round about came to him; see ( Matthew 3:5 ) .
Preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of
sins:
this was the work and office of John, as signified by Elias, in (
Malachi 4:5
Malachi 4:6 )
the Jews say F14,
``the Israelites will not repent, till Elias comes; as it is said, ( Malachi 4:5 Malachi 4:6 ) in the land of Israel repentance delights.''John came into this land, preaching this doctrine; (See Gill on Mark 1:4).