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Matthew 3

World English Bible

WEB

1In those days, John the Baptizer came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, saying, 2“Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!” 3For this is he who was spoken of by Isaiah the prophet, saying, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness, make the way of the Lord ready! Make his paths straight!” 4Now John himself wore clothing made of camel’s hair with a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. 5Then people from Jerusalem, all of Judea, and all the region around the Jordan went out to him. 6They were baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins. 7But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for his baptism, he said to them, “You offspring of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8Therefore produce fruit worthy of repentance! 9Don’t think to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham for our father,’ for I tell you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones. 10Even now the ax lies at the root of the trees. Therefore every tree that doesn’t produce good fruit is cut down, and cast into the fire. 11“I indeed baptize you in water for repentance, but he who comes after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you in the Holy Spirit. 12His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will thoroughly cleanse his threshing floor. He will gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn up with unquenchable fire.” 13Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. 14But John would have hindered him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and you come to me?” 15But Jesus, answering, said to him, “Allow it now, for this is the fitting way for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he allowed him. 16Jesus, when he was baptized, went up directly from the water: and behold, the heavens were opened to him. He saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove, and coming on him. 17Behold, a voice out of the heavens said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”

World English Bible, 2020 stable text edition. Public domain; “World English Bible” is a trademark of eBible.org. eBible.org

Overview

Matthew Chapter 3 introduces us to John the Baptist, a pivotal figure in the New Testament who prepares the way for Jesus Christ. John emerges in the wilderness of Judea, preaching a message of repentance, urging the people to turn from their sins and be baptized for the forgiveness of their transgressions. His call to repentance echoes the prophetic words of Isaiah, who foretold the coming of a voice crying out in the wilderness, making straight the paths of the Lord (Isaiah40:3). John's ascetic lifestyle, marked by wearing camel's hair and eating locusts and wild honey, emphasizes his role as a prophet and his commitment to God’s mission. His ministry attracts large crowds, including many from Jerusalem and all Judea, who come to confess their sins and be baptized in the Jordan River. This act of baptism symbolizes a cleansing and preparation for the coming Messiah, highlighting the importance of spiritual readiness for God's kingdom.

The chapter also presents a significant encounter between John and the Pharisees and Sadducees, who come to observe his ministry. John boldly confronts them, calling them a “brood of vipers” and warning them to produce fruit in keeping with repentance. He emphasizes that mere lineage from Abraham is not enough for salvation; true repentance must be evident in their lives. John proclaims that he baptizes with water for repentance, but one greater than he is coming—Jesus, who will baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire. This foreshadows the transformative power of Jesus’ ministry and the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. The chapter concludes with the baptism of Jesus by John, where the heavens open, and the Spirit of God descends like a dove, affirming Jesus as the beloved Son of God, in whom He is well pleased (Matthew3:16-17).

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Referenced by

  1. Genesis 8:11v16Genesis 8:11 describes the dove returning to Noah with an olive leaf, symbolizing peace and new beginnings. In Matthew 3:16, the Holy Spirit descends like a dove upon Jesus at His baptism, symbolizing peace and the beginning of His ministry.
  2. Psalms 1:4v12Psalm 1:4 describes the wicked as chaff that the wind drives away, which is similar to John the Baptist's description in Matthew 3:12 of the chaff being burned with unquenchable fire.
  3. Isaiah 40:3v3Isaiah 40:3 speaks of a voice crying in the wilderness to prepare the way of the Lord, which is identified in Matthew 3:3 as John the Baptist preparing the way for Jesus.
  4. Jeremiah 7:4v9Jeremiah 7:4 warns against trusting in deceptive words, specifically the false security of the temple, similar to how John the Baptist warns against relying on heritage in Matthew 3:9.
  5. Matthew 4:17v2Matthew 4:17 marks the beginning of Jesus' public ministry with the call to repentance, echoing John the Baptist's message in Matthew 3:2, 'Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.'
  6. Matthew 17:5v17In Matthew 17:5, God declares Jesus as His beloved Son, echoing the declaration at Jesus' baptism in Matthew 3:17. This affirmation underscores Jesus' identity and mission.
  7. Luke 3:16v11Both Luke 3:16 and Matthew 3:11 record John the Baptist's declaration that he baptizes with water, but the one coming after him will baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire, highlighting the superiority of Jesus' ministry.
  8. Luke 3:22v17Luke 3:22 and Matthew 3:17 both describe the voice from heaven at Jesus' baptism, affirming Him as God's beloved Son, which underscores His divine sonship and the Father's approval.

Topics in this chapter

Related chapters

  • Luke 3Baptism of JesusVoice in the WildernessThe Identity of Jesus Christ
  • Mark 1Judean WildernessBaptism of JesusDivine Affirmation
  • Isaiah 40Prepare the WayVoice in the WildernessJohn the Baptist
  • Matthew 4Divine RuleKingdom of HeavenJohn the Baptist
  • Acts 2New LifeBaptismEmpowerment
  • John 1John the BaptistSon of GodCreed
  • Psalms 2Divine SonshipSon of GodAdvent
  • Matthew 17Divine SonshipSon of GodIdentity in Christ
  • Acts 19John the BaptistNew LifeBaptism
  • Malachi 3John the BaptistAdventPreparation
  • Matthew 11Kingdom of HeavenJohn the Baptist
  • Isaiah 42New BeginningsNew CreationProphecy Fulfilled

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