The Gospel According to Matthew

Chapter 3

John preaches; his office, life, and baptism, 1-6. He reproves the Pharisees, 7-12, and baptizes Christ in the Jordan, 13-17.

1 In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, 2 And saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." 3 For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying,

"The voice of one crying in the wilderness,/
'Prepare the way of the Lord./
Make his paths straight.'
"

4 And the same John had his clothing of camel's hair and a leather girdle around his loins. And his food was locusts and wild honey. 5 Then Jerusalem, all Judea, and all the region around the Jordan went out to him, 6 And were baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins.

7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said to them, "O generation of vipers, who has warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Therefore, bring forth fruits worthy of repentance. 9 And do not think to say within yourselves, 'We have Abraham for our father.' For I say to you, that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones. 10 And now the ax is also laid to the root of the trees; therefore, every tree which does not bring forth good fruit is hewn down and cast into the fire.

11 "I indeed baptize you with water for repentance, but he who comes after me is mightier than I am, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear. He shall baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. 12 His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will thoroughly cleanse his floor and gather his wheat into the granary, but he will burn the chaff with unquenchable fire."

13 Then Jesus comes from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. 14 But John would have hindered him, saying, "I have need to be baptized by you, and you come to me?" 15 And Jesus answering said to him, "Allow it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then he allowed him. 16 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up immediately out of the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming upon him. 17 And behold, a voice came from heaven, saying, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."

Commentary

Matthew Henry Commentary - Matthew, Chapter 3[➚]

Notes

[v.1-6] - Gospel Link: Mark 1:1-6; Luke 3:1-6.

[v.3] - Quoting Isaiah 40:3 (LXX).

[v.7-10] - Gospel Link: Luke 3:7-14.

[v.11-12] - Gospel Link: Mark 1:7-8; Luke 3:15-18.

[v.11] - Gospel Link: John 1:26-27.

[v.13-17] - Gospel Link: Mark 1:9-11; Luke 3:21-23.

[v.15] - The words of Jesus Christ appear in this blue color throughout the New Testament.

[v.16-17] - In these two verses, we see the Holy Trinity at work. The Son has been baptized, the Holy Spirit has descended upon the Son, and the Father pronounces His blessing upon the Son, giving consent to His ministry.

[v.16] - Gospel Link: John 1:32.

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