Before his coming, John had proclaimed a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel.
English Standard Version (ESV)
It's easy to just read "before his coming," but the original phrasing actually highlights John's ministry happening in the face of Jesus' impending arrival. This emphasizes how John wasn't just around when Jesus appeared, but actively preparing the way, right up to the moment Jesus stepped onto the public scene.
Before his coming, John had proclaimed a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul and Barnabas are speaking to the Jewish people in Antioch, presenting Jesus as the fulfillment of God's promises to Israel. Before introducing Jesus, Paul highlights John the Baptist's crucial role as a forerunner, preparing the way for the Messiah's arrival with a call to repentance and baptism. This sets the stage for understanding John's ministry as a direct prelude to Jesus' public work.
Why 'baptism of repentance'? John wasn't just splashing water. This ritual held a deep meaning that prepared people for something big.
The phrase 'baptism of repentance' is key here. It wasn't simply a new ritual; it was a public declaration of a turning point.
The Call to Turn Back
Preparing the Way
John the Baptist didn't operate in secret. His ministry was a bold, public announcement. What does that tell us about God's methods?
The text emphasizes that John preached 'before his coming' and 'to all the people of Israel.' This highlights the deliberate and public nature of his mission.
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Announcing the King's Arrival
A Nationally Recognized Prophet
Understand the original words
metanoias · Greek Noun
A total change of mind, heart, and life direction. In the Bible, it is a turning away from sin and toward God, typically accompanied by the pursuit of righteousness.
baptisma · Greek Noun
An external, public sign or ceremony involving immersion in water, representing internal purification, identification with a message, and the washing away of sin.
c. 27 BC - AD 30
Herod the Great's Reign
The Roman client king Herod the Great ruled Judea, a period marked by significant building projects and political maneuvering, setting the stage for the complex social and religious climate of Jesus' birth.
c. AD 27— this verse
John the Baptist Begins Ministry
John the Baptist emerges in the wilderness of Judea, proclaiming a baptism of repentance and preparing the way for the coming Messiah. His ministry draws crowds from all over.
c. AD 28
Jesus' Baptism and Public Ministry Begins
Jesus is baptized by John in the Jordan River, marking the commencement of His public ministry. This event is central to the Christian faith and the fulfillment of prophecy.
c. AD 30-33
Jesus' Crucifixion and Resurrection
Jesus is crucified in Jerusalem and, according to Christian belief, resurrected three days later. This pivotal event forms the core of the Gospel message.
c. AD 40s
Apostolic Ministry Spreads to Gentiles
The Apostle Paul and others begin to preach the Gospel to non-Jewish people, marking a significant expansion of Christianity beyond its Jewish origins.
c. AD 45-49
First Missionary Journey of Paul
Paul and Barnabas travel through Cyprus and Asia Minor, establishing churches and facing both acceptance and opposition. This journey demonstrates the growing reach of the early church.
This passage directly introduces John the Baptist and his preaching, establishing the context for his 'baptism of repentance' that Acts 13:24 refers back to.
Luke 3:3This verse echoes Acts 13:24 by stating John 'went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins,' highlighting the scope and purpose of his ministry.
Isaiah 40:3This Old Testament prophecy is directly alluded to by the commentaries as the foundational message of John the Baptist, emphasizing the preparation of a 'way' for the Lord, which aligns with John's preparatory ministry mentioned in Acts.
Malachi 3:1This prophecy foretold a messenger who would prepare the way before the Lord, providing the prophetic backdrop for John the Baptist's role as the forerunner whose ministry is highlighted in Acts 13:24.
ellicottActs 13:24: "When John had first preached before his coming the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel."
(24) The baptism of repentance. —See Notes on Matthew 3:1-12 .
pulpitActs 13:24: "When John had first preached before his coming the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel."
Verse 24. - His coming (τῆς εἰσόδου); his entrance upon his ministry, with reference to the ὁδὸς (the way) of Isaiah 40:3 and Malachi 3:1 (for the use of dadoes, see 1 Thessalonians 1:9; 2 Thessalonians 2:1).
It's easy to just read "before his coming," but the original phrasing actually highlights John's ministry happening in the face of Jesus' impending arrival. This emphasizes how John wasn't just around when Jesus appeared, but actively preparing the way, right up to the moment Jesus stepped onto the public scene.
Paul and Barnabas are speaking to the Jewish people in Antioch, presenting Jesus as the fulfillment of God's promises to Israel. Before introducing Jesus, Paul highlights John the Baptist's crucial role as a forerunner, preparing the way for the Messiah's arrival with a call to repentance and baptism. This sets the stage for understanding John's ministry as a direct prelude to Jesus' public work.
Paul and Barnabas are speaking to the Jewish people in Antioch, presenting Jesus as the fulfillment of God's promises to Israel. Before introducing Jesus, Paul highlights John the Baptist's crucial role as a forerunner, preparing the way for the Messiah's arrival with a call to repentance and baptism. This sets the stage for understanding John's ministry as a direct prelude to Jesus' public work.
"Before his coming, John had proclaimed a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel." — It's easy to just read "before his coming," but the original phrasing actually highlights John's ministry happening in the face of Jesus' impending arrival. This emphasizes how John wasn't just *ar…
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Last reviewed October 2026