The Call of the Wilderness: The Narrative Significance of John the Baptist’s Wherebaouts

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 in the present work -

Judea (Matthew). This study focuses on the significance of these and

other geographical settings. In contrast to earlier studies it will do

so from a narrative-critical rather than a historical angle. It turns

out that although the specifics are unique in each case, a common

pattern can be discerned in that the geographical settings in which the

Baptist appears contribute to the characterization of the Baptist in

relation to the main characters and themes in the narratives in question.