gospel · 28 · Judaean Desert
Luke dates it harder than he dates anything else: the fifteenth year of Tiberius, Pilate governing Judea, Herod tetrarch of Galilee, Annas and Caiaphas high priests. John came out of the desert in camel's hair preaching a baptism of repentance, and the crowds went out to the Jordan — soldiers and tax collectors among them, each asking what they should do. Josephus, who has no interest in the gospels' claims, records the same man baptizing the same crowds and calls him a good man. This is the firmest absolute date the gospels give.
To prepare the way — a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
Judea and all the region about the Jordan go out to him; the ministry of Jesus opens out of his.