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In Fulfillment of Isaiah, John The Baptist Prepares The Nation For The Messiah

Now during those days John the Baptist comes[a], proclaiming in the wilderness of Judea and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of the heavens has drawn-near”. For this one is the one having been spoken of through Isaiah the prophet saying [in Isa 40:3], “A voice of one shouting in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, be making His paths straight’”. Now John himself was having[b] his clothing [made] of camel’s hair, and a belt made-of-leather around his waist. And his food was locusts and wild honey. At that time Jerusalem and all Judea and all the surrounding-region of the Jordan was going out to him. And they were being baptized in the Jordan River by him while confessing-out[c] their sins.

John Says To Produce Fruit Worthy of Repentance, Because The Chaff Will Be Burned

But having seen many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to[d] his baptism, he said to them, “Brood of vipers— who showed[e] you to flee from the coming wrath? Therefore produce fruit worthy of repentance. And do not think that you may say within[f] yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father’. For I say to you that God is able to raise-up children for Abraham from these stones! 10 And the axe is already lying[g] at the root of the trees. Therefore every tree not producing good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 11 I am baptizing you with[h] water for repentance, but the One coming after me is more powerful than me, of Whom I am not fit to carry the sandals. He will baptize you with[i] the Holy Spirit and fire[j] 12 Whose winnowing-tool is in His hand, and He will cleanse-out His threshing floor and gather His wheat into the barn. But He will burn up the chaff with an inextinguishable fire”.

When Jesus Is Baptized, The Spirit Descends Upon Him And His Father Expresses His Pleasure

13 Then Jesus comes from Galilee to the Jordan to John that He might be baptized by him. 14 But John was preventing Him, saying, “I have a need to be baptized by You, and You are coming to me?” 15 But having responded, Jesus said to him, “Permit it at this time. For it is fitting[k] for us to fulfill all righteousness in this manner”. Then he permits Him. 16 And having been baptized, Jesus immediately ascended[l] from[m] the water. And behold— the heavens were opened to Him, and he[n] saw the Spirit of God descending as-if [o] a dove, and coming upon Him. 17 And behold— a voice from the heavens saying, “This is My beloved Son with Whom I was[p] well-pleased”.

Footnotes

  1. Matthew 3:1 Or, arrives, appears publicly.
  2. Matthew 3:4 That is, was habitually having.
  3. Matthew 3:6 Or, acknowledging, openly admitting.
  4. Matthew 3:7 Or, upon, for.
  5. Matthew 3:7 Or, indicated to, warned.
  6. Matthew 3:9 Or, among.
  7. Matthew 3:10 Or, being laid.
  8. Matthew 3:11 Or, in.
  9. Matthew 3:11 Or, in.
  10. Matthew 3:11 This fire of judgment may be with regard to unbelievers, the chaff mentioned next, or with regard to the purifying work of the Spirit on believers.
  11. Matthew 3:15 That is, for Jesus as a devout son of Israel; or, for Jesus as an inauguration of His own ministry.
  12. Matthew 3:16 Or, went up, came up.
  13. Matthew 3:16 Or, away from.
  14. Matthew 3:16 That is, John.
  15. Matthew 3:16 Or, like.
  16. Matthew 3:17 Or, I delighted, I took pleasure. This may have an eternal sense, ‘I was well pleased’ to choose and send Him for this task (as in Isa 42:1; Lk 9:35; Mt 12:18); or, a timeless sense, ‘I am well pleased’; or, a historical sense, ‘I have become well pleased’ in His obedience.

John the Baptist Prepares the Way(A)

In those days John the Baptist(B) came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven(C) has come near.” This 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.’”[a](D)

John’s(E) clothes were made of camel’s hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist.(F) His food was locusts(G) and wild honey. People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan. Confessing their sins, they were baptized(H) by him in the Jordan River.

But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them: “You brood of vipers!(I) Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?(J) Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.(K) And do not think you can say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’(L) I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. 10 The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.(M)

11 “I baptize you with[b] water for repentance.(N) But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with[c] the Holy Spirit(O) and fire.(P) 12 His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”(Q)

The Baptism of Jesus(R)

13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John.(S) 14 But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?”

15 Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented.

16 As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened,(T) and he saw the Spirit of God(U) descending like a dove and alighting on him. 17 And a voice from heaven(V) said, “This is my Son,(W) whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”(X)

Footnotes

  1. Matthew 3:3 Isaiah 40:3
  2. Matthew 3:11 Or in
  3. Matthew 3:11 Or in