In Fulfillment of Isaiah, John The Baptist Prepares The Nation For The Messiah
3 Now during those days John the Baptist comes[a], proclaiming in the wilderness of Judea 2 and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of the heavens has drawn-near”. 3 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’”. 4 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. 5 At that time Jerusalem and all Judea and all the surrounding-region of the Jordan was going out to him. 6 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
7 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? 8 Therefore produce fruit worthy of repentance. 9 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
- Matthew 3:1 Or, arrives, appears publicly.
- Matthew 3:4 That is, was habitually having.
- Matthew 3:6 Or, acknowledging, openly admitting.
- Matthew 3:7 Or, upon, for.
- Matthew 3:7 Or, indicated to, warned.
- Matthew 3:9 Or, among.
- Matthew 3:10 Or, being laid.
- Matthew 3:11 Or, in.
- Matthew 3:11 Or, in.
- 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.
- Matthew 3:15 That is, for Jesus as a devout son of Israel; or, for Jesus as an inauguration of His own ministry.
- Matthew 3:16 Or, went up, came up.
- Matthew 3:16 Or, away from.
- Matthew 3:16 That is, John.
- Matthew 3:16 Or, like.
- 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.