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Matthew

Chapter 3

John Prepares, Jesus Is Baptized

Matthew 3 introduces John in the wilderness calling Israel to repentance as the kingdom draws near. Crowds come to the Jordan confessing sins, while John warns the Pharisees and Sadducees to show fruit worthy of repentance. The chapter ends with Jesus’ baptism, the Spirit’s descent, and the Father’s voice naming the Son.

After Matthew 2 leaves Jesus in Nazareth, chapter 3 brings the story to the wilderness and the Jordan. John’s preaching, baptism, and warning prepare for the Messiah, and Jesus’ own baptism answers the call with public righteousness, Spirit-anointing, and the Father’s approval.

2 sections·356 words·~2 min read

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Matthew 3

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vv. 1-12

The Mission of John the Baptist

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I1n 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 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 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.”

vv. 13-17

The Baptism of Jesus

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A13t 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!”

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  1. 01vv. 1-12The Mission of John the BaptistJohn appears in the wilderness with a message of repentance because the kingdom of heaven is near. His austere life, the crowd’s response, and his warnings to the religious leaders all press toward the same demand: produce fruit that matches repentance, because the coming one will gather and judge.
  2. 02vv. 13-17The Baptism of JesusJesus comes from Galilee to the Jordan and submits to John’s baptism. John resists, but Jesus insists that the moment fulfills all righteousness. When Jesus rises from the water, the heavens open, the Spirit descends like a dove, and the Father names him the beloved Son.
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