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At that time John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness of Judea and was preaching:
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“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near!”
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Indeed, he is the one spoken of through the prophet Isaiah when he said:
“A voice of one calling in the wilderness:
Prepare the way for the Lord,
make straight paths for Him.”
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John wore clothing made of camel’s hair and a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey.
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People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan.
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Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.
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But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to be baptized, he said to them: “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?
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Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.
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And do not think you can 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.
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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.
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I baptize you with water for repentance, but after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.
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His winnowing fork is in His hand. He will clear His threshing floor and gather His wheat into the barn, but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”
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Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John.
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But John tried to deter Him, saying, “I need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?”
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Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented.
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As soon as Jesus was baptized, He went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on Him,
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and a voice from heaven said, “This is My Son, whom I love; with Him I am well pleased.”
📖 Summary of Matthew 3
Matthew 3 introduces an important figure before Jesus’ ministry begins, namely John the Baptist, a prophet who called people to repentance and baptized many in the Jordan River. This chapter also includes an important event: the baptism of Jesus.
Main points of Matthew 3:
- The ministry of John the Baptist (verses 1–6):
John preached repentance because the kingdom of heaven was near. He wore camel’s hair clothing, ate locusts and wild honey, and baptized people in the Jordan River. - Warning to the Pharisees and Sadducees (verses 7–10):
John rebuked the religious leaders who came without true repentance, calling them “brood of vipers,” and emphasized that every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down. - Prophecy about the Messiah (verses 11–12):
John said that One greater than he would come, who would baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire, and separate the righteous from the wicked. - Jesus is baptized (verses 13–17):
Jesus came to John to be baptized. At that moment, heaven opened, the Holy Spirit descended like a dove, and the Father’s voice from heaven declared, “This is My Son, whom I love; with Him I am well pleased.”
📘 Teachings of Matthew 3
- Repentance is the way into the kingdom of heaven:
John emphasizes that true repentance is not merely confessing sin, but a change of heart and action. - Baptism as the beginning sign of new life:
Baptism is a symbol of repentance and confession of faith, as well as a picture of cleansing and commitment to live for the Lord. - Jesus’ humility and obedience:
Although sinless, Jesus was willing to be baptized to “fulfill all righteousness.” This is an example of humility and surrender. - A rebuke of hypocrisy:
John warns not to rely only on religious status or lineage (for example, being “children of Abraham”), but to live a life that bears fruit in keeping with repentance. - Jesus as the baptizer in the Holy Spirit and fire:
This shows that Jesus will bring a deeper baptism and purify believers through the Holy Spirit.
✨ Spiritual Meaning of Matthew 3
- Preparing the heart is very important before receiving Jesus: John prepared the way for the Lord, and we too must prepare our hearts.
- God reveals Jesus’ identity in a divine way: Jesus’ baptism is a moment of public declaration as the Son of God, with the presence of the Trinity (the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit).
- True righteousness is born from a repentant heart: It is not rituals, traditions, or spiritual positions that save, but humility and the fruit of repentance.
- The importance of obedience even in symbolic matters: If Jesus Himself was obedient to be baptized, then believers also need to obey God’s will in all things.
