Matthew 3
Berean Standard Bible · Compare translations · AD 27 – AD 29 · Life of Jesus · Tap a verse to copy, share or highlight ·
17 verses · 375 words · ~2 min read · ~3 min listen
The Mission of John the Baptist
1In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea 2and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.” 3This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah:
4John wore a garment of camelʼs hair, with a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. 5People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region around the Jordan. 6Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.
7But when John saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his place of baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? 8Produce fruit, then, in keeping with repentance. 9And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. 10The axe lies ready at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.
11I baptize you with water for repentance, but after me will come One more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. 12His winnowing fork is in His hand to clear His threshing floor and to gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”
The Baptism of Jesus
13At that time Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. 14But John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?”
15“Let it be so now,” Jesus replied. “It is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness in this way.” Then John permitted Him.
16As soon as Jesus was baptized, He went up out of the water. Suddenly the heavens were opened, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and resting on Him. 17And a voice from heaven said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased!”
Footnotes (5)
- a v3 Isaiah 40:3(see also LXX)
- b v11 Or in water
- c v11 Or in the Holy Spirit and in fire
- d v16 NA, BYZ, and TR the heavens were opened to Him
- e v16 Or and he saw; see John 1:32–33.
Study notes on this chapter · 1
A voice in the wilderness
'In the wilderness prepare the way of the LORD.' All four gospels identify this voice with John the Baptist preparing the way for Jesus. Mark also joins it with Malachi 3:1.
When: Spoken to comfort exiles in Babylon (dating of Isaiah 40–66 is debated: c. 700 BC or c. 540 BC); John's ministry c. AD 27–29.
Editorial note by BibleWay. Interpretations vary; dates are approximate scholarly estimates.