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Matthew · Chapter 3

Matthew 3

Berean Standard Bible · Public domain · Source credits

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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.’”*

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.”

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, 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!”

Source notes

  1. 3:3 Isaiah 40:3 (see also LXX) Read Isaiah 40:3
  2. 3:11 Or in water Or in the Holy Spirit and in fire
  3. 3:16 NA, BYZ, and TR the heavens were opened to Him Or and he saw; see John 1:32–33. Read John 1:32

Old Testament references

References from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. Text from the Berean Standard Bible.

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.

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.

1 Kings 8:47

and when they come to their senses in the land to which they were taken, and they repent and plead with You in the land of their captors, saying, ‘We have sinned and done wrong; we have acted wickedly,’

Job 42:6

Therefore I retract my words, and I repent in dust and ashes.”

Ezekiel 18:30

Therefore, O house of Israel, I will judge you, each according to his ways, declares the Lord GOD. Repent and turn from all your transgressions, so that your iniquity will not become your downfall.

Ezekiel 18:31

Cast away from yourselves all the transgressions you have committed, and fashion for yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. Why should you die, O house of Israel?

Ezekiel 18:32

For I take no pleasure in anyone’s death, declares the Lord GOD. So repent and live!

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