Rabanus Maurus, on Matt 3:5

“Then went out to him Jerusalem and all Judea, and all the country about Jordan:”

“Rightly are they who are to be baptized said to go out to the Prophet; for unless one depart from sin, and renounce the pomp of the Devil, and the temptations of the world, he cannot receive a healing baptism. Rightly also in Jordan, which means their descent, because they descended from the pride of life to the humility of an honest confession. Thus early was an example given to them that are to be baptized of confessing their sins and professing amendment.”

Imported from an open dataset — not yet checked against the printed edition.