Matthew Chapter 3

From The Open Bible Project

3:1 In those days, John the Baptizer came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, saying,

• (a) Not when Joseph went to dwell at Nazareth, but a great while after, about fifteen years: for in the 30th year of his life Jesus was baptized by John: therefore "those days" means the time when Jesus remained as an inhabitant of the town of Nazareth. (1) John, who through his singular holiness and rare austerity of life caused men to cast their eyes on him, prepares the way for Christ who is following fast on his heels, as the prophet Isaiah foretold, and delivers the sum of the gospel, which a short time later would be delivered more fully.
• (b) In a hilly country, which was nonetheless inhabited, for Zacharias dwelt there, (Luke 1:39,40), and there was Joab’s house, (1 Kings 2:34); and besides these, Joshua makes mention of six towns that were in the wilderness, (Joshua 15:61,62).

3:2 "Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!"

• (c) The word in the greek signifies a changing of our minds and heart from evil to better.
• (d) The kingdom of Messiah, whose government will be heavenly, and nothing but heavenly.

3:3 For this is he who was spoken of by Isaiah the prophet, saying, "The voice of one crying in the wilderness, make ready the way of the Lord. Make his paths straight."[8]

• (e) Make him a plain and smooth way.

3:4 Now John himself wore clothing made of camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey.

• (f) Locusts were a type of meat which certain of the eastern people use, who were therefore called devourers of locusts.

3:5 Then people from Jerusalem, all of Judea, and all the region around the Jordan went out to him.

• (g) The people of Jerusalem.

3:6 They were [9>]baptized[<9] by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins.

• (h) Acknowledging that they were saved only by free remission and forgiveness of their sins.

3:7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for his [10>]baptism,[<10] he said to them, "You offspring of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?

• (2) There is nothing that shuts up the way of mercy and salvation from us so much as the opinion of our own righteousness does.

3:8 Therefore bring forth fruit worthy of repentance!

• (3) True repentance is an inward thing which has its seat in the mind and heart.

3:9 Don'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.

• (4) The faith of the fathers does not benefit you unbelieving children at all: and yet for all that, God does not play the liar, nor deal unfaithfully in his covenant which he made with the holy fathers.
• (i) Think not that you have any reason to be proud of Abraham.
• (k) In your hearts.

3:10 "Even now the axe lies at the root of the trees. Therefore, every tree that doesn't bring forth good fruit is cut down, and cast into the fire.

3:11 I indeed [11>]baptize[<11] you in water for repentance, but he who comes after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you in the Holy Spirit.[12]

• (5) We may neither dwell upon the signs which God has ordained as means to lead us into our salvation, neither upon those that minister them: but we must climb up to the matter itself, that is to say, to Christ, who inwardly works that effectually, which is outwardly signified to us.
• (l) The outward sign reminds us of this, that we must change our lives and become better, assuring us as by a seal, that we are ingrafted into Christ; by which our old man dies and the new man rises up; (Romans 6:4).

3:12 His 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."

• (6) The triumphs of the wicked will end in everlasting torment.
• (m) Will clean it thoroughly, and make a full riddance.

3:13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him.

• (7) Christ sanctified our baptism in himself.

3:14 But John would have hindered him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and you come to me?"

3:15 But Jesus, answering, said to him, "Allow it now, for this is the fitting way for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then he allowed him.

• (n) All such things as it has appointed for us to keep.

3:16 Jesus, 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.

• (o) To John.

3:17 Behold, a voice out of the heavens said, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased."

• (8) Christ’s full consecration and authorization to the office of mediator is shown by the Father’s own voice and a visible sign of the Holy Spirit.
• (p) The Greek word signifies a thing of great worth and such as highly pleases a man. So then the Father says that Christ is the only man whom when he beholds, looking at what opinion he had conceived of us, he lays it clean aside.