The Jews, now widely dispersed in all civilized lands, were generally expecting the speedy advent of the Messiah. In their visits to Jerusalem at the annual feasts, many had gone out to the banks of the Jordan to listen to the preaching of John the Baptist. From him they had heard the proclamation of Christ as the Promised One, and on their return home they had carried the tidings to all parts of the world. Thus had Providence prepared the way for the apostle’s labors.{LP 129.1}

Jøderne, som nu var spredt ud i alle civiliserede lande, ventede normalt Messias snarlige genkomst. Ved deres besøg i Jerusalem til de årlige fester, havde mange gået ud til Jordans breder og lyttet til Johannes Døbers forkyndelse. Fra ham havde de hørt proklameringen om Kristus, som den Udlovede, og når de kom hjem igen, førte de disse nyheder med sig til alle dele af verden. Således havde Forsynet beredt vej for Apostlenes arbejde.