The Call of the Wilderness

Several geographical settings are associated with John the Baptist in the first-century texts in which he figures. The wilderness of Judea (Matthew), the environs of the Jordan (Luke), and Bethany beyond the Jordan (John) are some of the places where John is said to have preached and baptized. The Baptist's execution is associated with Machaerus (Josephus), Galilee (Mark), and - as is argued for i...