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 Mission of John the Baptist
(Isaiah 40:1–5; Mark 1:1–8; Luke 3:1–20; John 1:19–28)
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:
“A voice of one calling in the wilderness,
‘Prepare the way for the Lord,
make straight paths for Him.’”#3:3 Isaiah 40:3 (see also LXX)
4John wore a garment of camel’s 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 #3:11 Or in 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.#3:11 Or in the Holy Spirit and in 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
(Mark 1:9–11; Luke 3:21–22; John 1:29–34)
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,#3:16 NA, BYZ, and TR the heavens were opened to Him and He saw #3:16 Or and he saw; see John 1:32–33. 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!”
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The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible, BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee. This text of God's Word has been dedicated to the public domain.