Matthew 3
3
John Prepares the Way
(Mark 1:1–8; Luke 3:1–18; John 1:19–28)
1Later, John the Baptizer appeared in the desert of Judea. His message was, 2“Turn to God and change the way you think and act, because the kingdom of heaven is near.” 3Isaiah the prophet spoke about this man when he said,
“A voice cries out in the desert:
‘Prepare the way for the Lord!
Make his paths straight!’ ”
4John wore clothes made from camel’s hair and had a leather belt around his waist. His diet consisted of locusts and wild honey.
5Jerusalem, all Judea, and the whole Jordan Valley went to him. 6As they confessed their sins, he baptized them in the Jordan River.
7But when he saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming to be baptized, he said to them, “You poisonous snakes! Who showed you how to flee from God’s coming anger? 8Do those things that prove you have turned to God and have changed the way you think and act. 9Don’t think you can say, ‘Abraham is our ancestor.’ I can guarantee that God can raise up descendants for Abraham from these stones. 10The ax is now ready to cut the roots of the trees. Any tree that doesn’t produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into a fire. 11I baptize you with water so that you will change the way you think and act. But the one who comes after me is more powerful than I. I am not worthy to remove his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 12His winnowing #3:12 Winnowing is the process of separating husks from grain. shovel is in his hand, and he will clean up his threshing floor.#3:12 A threshing floor is an outdoor area where grain is separated from its husks. He will gather his wheat into a barn, but he will burn the husks in a fire that can never be put out.”
John Baptizes Jesus
(Mark 1:9–11; Luke 3:21–22)
13Then Jesus appeared. He came from Galilee to the Jordan River to be baptized by John. 14But John tried to stop him and said, “I need to be baptized by you. Why are you coming to me?”
15Jesus answered him, “This is the way it has to be now. This is the proper way to do everything that God requires of us.”
Then John gave in to him. 16After Jesus was baptized, he immediately came up from the water. Suddenly, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God coming down as a dove to him. 17Then a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love—my Son with whom I am pleased.”
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GOD'S WORD® Translation ©1995, 2003, 2013, 2014, 2019, 2020 by God's Word to the Nations Mission Society. All rights reserved.
Matthew 3
3
The message of John the Baptist
The preaching of John the Baptist
(Mark 1.1-8; Luke 3.1-18; John 1.19-28)
1Years later, John the Baptist started preaching in the desert of Judea. 2He said, “Turn back to God! The kingdom of heaven#3.2 kingdom of heaven: In the Gospel of Matthew “kingdom of heaven” is used with the same meaning as “God's kingdom” in Mark and Luke. will soon be here.”#3.2 will soon be here: Or “is already here.”#Mt 4.17; Mk 1.15.
3John was the one the prophet Isaiah was talking about, when he said,#Is 40.3 (LXX).
“In the desert someone
is shouting,
‘Get the road ready
for the Lord!
Make a straight path
for him.’ ”
4John wore clothes made of camel's hair. He had a leather strap around his waist and ate grasshoppers and wild honey.#2 K 1.8.
5From Jerusalem and all Judea and from the River Jordan Valley crowds of people went to John. 6They told how sorry they were for their sins, and he baptized them in the river.
7Many Pharisees and Sadducees also came to be baptized. But John said to them:#Mt 12.34; 23.33.
You snakes! Who warned you to run from the coming judgment? 8Do something to show that you have really given up your sins. 9And don't start telling yourselves that you belong to Abraham's family. I tell you that God can turn these stones into children for Abraham.#Jn 8.33. 10An axe is ready to cut the trees down at their roots. Any tree that doesn't produce good fruit will be chopped down and thrown into a fire.#Mt 7.19.
11I baptize you with water so that you will give up your sins.#3.11 so that you will give up your sins: Or “because you have given up your sins.” But someone more powerful is going to come, and I am not good enough even to carry his sandals.#3.11 carry his sandals: This was one of the duties of a slave. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. 12His threshing fork is in his hand, and he is ready to separate the wheat from the husks.#3.12 His threshing fork is in his hand, and he is ready to separate the wheat from the husks: After Jewish farmers had trampled out the grain, they used a large fork to pitch the grain and the husks into the air. Wind would blow away the light husks, and the grain would fall back to the ground, where it could be gathered up. He will store the wheat in a barn and burn the husks in a fire that never goes out.
The baptism and temptation of Jesus
The baptism of Jesus
(Mark 1.9-11; Luke 3.21,22)
13Jesus left Galilee and went to the River Jordan to be baptized by John. 14But John kept objecting and said, “I ought to be baptized by you. Why have you come to me?”
15Jesus answered, “For now this is how it should be, because we must do all that God wants us to do.” Then John agreed.
16So Jesus was baptized. And as soon as he came out of the water, the sky opened, and he saw the Spirit of God coming down on him like a dove. 17Then a voice from heaven said, “This is my own dear Son, and I am pleased with him.”#Gn 22.2; Ps 2.7; Is 42.1; Mt 12.18; 17.5; Mk 1.11; Lk 9.35.
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