'Earlier' in the Bible

Consider therefore. Moses gave you the rite of circumcision (not that it began with Moses, but with your earlier forefathers)

So He departed again across the Jordan to the place where John had been baptizing earlier, and He remained there.

When they had eaten breakfast, Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?”“Yes, Lord,” he said to Him, “You know that I love You.”“Feed My lambs,” He told him.