Matthew 3:1

Read in context

Matthew 3:1–3 · Berean Standard Bible

1 In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea

2 and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.”

3 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.’”

Greek words

Data created by STEPBible.org based on work at Tyndale House Cambridge (CC BY 4.0).

Study Matthew 3:1

Read the commentary on Matthew 3

Cross-references

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge lists these related verses. Scripture text comes from the Berean Standard Bible.

Luke 3:1

In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, while Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, Herod tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene,

Luke 3:2

during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness.

Matthew 11:11

Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has risen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet even the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

Matthew 14:2

and said to his servants, “This is John the Baptist; he has risen from the dead! That is why miraculous powers are at work in him.”

Matthew 14:3

Now Herod had arrested John and bound him and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife,

Matthew 14:4

because John had been telling him, “It is not lawful for you to have her.”

Matthew 14:5

Although Herod wanted to kill John, he was afraid of the people, because they regarded John as a prophet.

Matthew 14:6

On Herod’s birthday, however, the daughter of Herodias danced before them and pleased Herod

Matthew 14:7

so much that he promised with an oath to give to her whatever she asked.

Matthew 14:8

Prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist.”

Matthew 14:9

The king was grieved, but because of his oaths and his guests, he ordered that her wish be granted

Matthew 14:10

and sent to have John beheaded in the prison.

Matthew 14:11

John’s head was brought in on a platter and presented to the girl, who carried it to her mother.

Matthew 14:12

Then John’s disciples came and took his body and buried it. And they went and informed Jesus.

Matthew 14:13

When Jesus heard about John, He withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. But the crowds found out about it and followed Him on foot from the towns.

Matthew 14:14

When He stepped ashore and saw a large crowd, He had compassion on them and healed their sick.

Matthew 16:14

They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”

Matthew 17:12

But I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but have done to him whatever they wished. In the same way, the Son of Man will suffer at their hands.”

Matthew 17:13

Then the disciples understood that He was speaking to them about John the Baptist.

Matthew 21:25

What was the source of John’s baptism? Was it from heaven or from men?” They deliberated among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will ask, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’

Matthew 21:26

But if we say, ‘From men,’ we are afraid of the people, for they all regard John as a prophet.”

Matthew 21:27

So they answered, “We do not know.” And Jesus replied, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.

Matthew 21:32

For John came to you in a righteous way and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him.

Mark 1:4

John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.

Mark 1:15

“The time is fulfilled,” He said, “and the kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe in the gospel!”

Mark 6:16

But when Herod heard this, he said, “John, whom I beheaded, has risen from the dead!”

Mark 6:17

For Herod himself had ordered that John be arrested and bound and imprisoned, on account of his brother Philip’s wife Herodias, whom Herod had married.

Mark 6:18

For John had been telling Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife!”

Mark 6:19

So Herodias held a grudge against John and wanted to kill him. But she had been unable,

Mark 6:20

because Herod feared John and protected him, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man. When he heard John’s words, he was greatly perplexed; yet he listened to him gladly.

Mark 6:21

On Herod’s birthday, her opportunity arose. Herod held a banquet for his nobles and military commanders and the leading men of Galilee.

Mark 6:22

When the daughter of Herodias came and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests, and the king said to the girl, “Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will give it to you.”

Mark 6:23

And he swore to her, “Whatever you ask of me, I will give you, up to half my kingdom!”

Mark 6:24

Then she went out and asked her mother, “What should I request?” And her mother answered, “The head of John the Baptist.”

Mark 6:25

At once the girl hurried back to the king with her request: “I want you to give me the head of John the Baptist on a platter immediately.”

Mark 6:26

The king was consumed with sorrow, but because of his oaths and his guests, he did not want to refuse her.

Mark 6:27

So without delay, the king commanded that John’s head be brought in. He sent an executioner, who went and beheaded him in the prison.

Mark 6:28

The man brought John’s head on a platter and presented it to the girl, who gave it to her mother.

Mark 6:29

When John’s disciples heard about this, they came and took his body and placed it in a tomb.

Luke 1:13

But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John.

Luke 1:14

He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice at his birth,

Luke 1:15

for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He shall never take wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother’s womb.

Luke 1:16

Many of the sons of Israel he will turn back to the Lord their God.

Luke 1:17

And he will go on before the Lord in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”

Luke 1:76

And you, child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for Him,

Luke 3:3

He went into all the region around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins,

Luke 3:4

as it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet: “A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for Him.

Luke 3:5

Every valley shall be filled in, and every mountain and hill made low. The crooked ways shall be made straight, and the rough ways smooth.

Luke 3:6

And all humanity will see God’s salvation.’”

Luke 3:7

Then John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?

Luke 3:8

Produce fruit, then, in keeping with repentance. And do not begin 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.

Luke 3:9

The 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.”

Luke 3:10

The crowds asked him, “What then should we do?”

Luke 3:11

John replied, “Whoever has two tunics should share with him who has none, and whoever has food should do the same.”

Luke 3:12

Even tax collectors came to be baptized. “Teacher,” they asked, “what should we do?”

Luke 3:13

“Collect no more than you are authorized,” he answered.

Luke 3:14

Then some soldiers asked him, “And what should we do?” “Do not take money by force or false accusation,” he said. “Be content with your wages.”

Luke 3:15

The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John could be the Christ.

Luke 3:16

John answered all of them: “I baptize you with water, but One more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.

Luke 3:17

His winnowing fork is in His hand to clear His threshing floor and to gather the wheat into His barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”

Luke 3:18

With these and many other exhortations, John proclaimed the good news to the people.

Luke 3:19

But when he rebuked Herod the tetrarch regarding his brother’s wife Herodias and all the evils he had done,

Luke 3:20

Herod added this to them all: He locked John up in prison.

John 1:6

There came a man who was sent from God. His name was John.

John 1:7

He came as a witness to testify about the Light, so that through him everyone might believe.

John 1:8

He himself was not the Light, but he came to testify about the Light.

John 1:15

John testified concerning Him. He cried out, saying, “This is He of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because He was before me.’”

John 1:16

From His fullness we have all received grace upon grace.

John 1:17

For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

John 1:18

No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is Himself God and is at the Father’s side, has made Him known.

John 1:19

And this was John’s testimony when the Jews of Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him, “Who are you?”

John 1:20

He did not refuse to confess, but openly declared, “I am not the Christ.”

John 1:21

“Then who are you?” they inquired. “Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” He answered, “No.”

John 1:22

So they said to him, “Who are you? We need an answer for those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?”

John 1:23

John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet: “I am a voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way for the Lord.’”

John 1:24

Then the Pharisees who had been sent

John 1:25

asked him, “Why then do you baptize, if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?”

John 1:26

“I baptize with water,” John replied, “but among you stands One you do not know.

John 1:27

He is the One who comes after me, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.”

John 1:28

All this happened at Bethany beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing.

John 1:29

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!

John 1:30

This is He of whom I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because He was before me.’

John 1:31

I myself did not know Him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that He might be revealed to Israel.”

John 1:32

Then John testified, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove and resting on Him.

John 1:33

I myself did not know Him, but the One who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit descend and rest is He who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’

John 1:34

I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God.”

John 1:35

The next day John was there again with two of his disciples.

John 1:36

When he saw Jesus walking by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!”

John 3:27

John replied, “A man can receive only what is given him from heaven.

John 3:28

You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Christ, but am sent ahead of Him.’

John 3:29

The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom stands and listens for him, and is overjoyed to hear the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete.

John 3:30

He must increase; I must decrease.

John 3:31

The One who comes from above is above all. The one who is from the earth belongs to the earth and speaks as one from the earth. The One who comes from heaven is above all.

John 3:32

He testifies to what He has seen and heard, yet no one accepts His testimony.

John 3:33

Whoever accepts His testimony has certified that God is truthful.

John 3:34

For the One whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit.

John 3:35

The Father loves the Son and has placed all things in His hands.

John 3:36

Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life. Whoever rejects the Son will not see life. Instead, the wrath of God remains on him.”

Acts 1:22

beginning from John’s baptism until the day Jesus was taken up from us. For one of these must become a witness with us of His resurrection.”

Acts 13:24

Before the arrival of Jesus, John preached a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel.

Acts 13:25

As John was completing his course, he said, ‘Who do you suppose I am? I am not that One. But He is coming after me whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.’

Acts 19:3

“Into what, then, were you baptized?” Paul asked. “The baptism of John,” they replied.

Acts 19:4

Paul explained: “John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the One coming after him, that is, in Jesus.”

Isaiah 40:3

A voice of one calling: “Prepare the way for the LORD in the wilderness; make a straight highway for our God in the desert.

Isaiah 40:4

Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill made low; the uneven ground will become smooth, and the rugged land a plain.

Isaiah 40:5

And the glory of the LORD will be revealed, and all humanity together will see it. For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.”

Isaiah 40:6

A voice says, “Cry out!” And I asked, “What should I cry out?” “All flesh is like grass, and all its glory like the flowers of the field.

Mark 1:7

And he began to proclaim: “After me will come One more powerful than I, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie.

Matthew 11:7

As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swaying in the wind?

Joshua 14:10

Now behold, as the LORD promised, He has kept me alive these forty-five years since He spoke this word to Moses, while Israel wandered in the wilderness. So here I am today, eighty-five years old,

Joshua 15:61

These were in the wilderness: Beth-arabah, Middin, Secacah,

Joshua 15:62

Nibshan, the City of Salt, and En-gedi—six cities, along with their villages.

Luke 7:24

After John’s messengers had left, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swaying in the wind?