Between the King’s birth narrative in chapters one and two and the first recorded sermon of the King in chapter five, Matthew presents the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry. In these two chapters, he highlights King Jesus’ baptism and temptation. Matthew also reveals Jesus’ preaching and teaching methods and itinerant ministry. As he transitions from the birth narrative, Matthew moves forward thirty years in time introducing readers to John the Baptizer. In Matthew 3:1-12, he presents John, preparing the way for Jesus.
