Matthew 3

King James Bible Main Index:

Matthew 3 [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13] [14] [15] [16] [17] [18] [19] [20] [21] [22] [23] [24] [25] [26] [27] [28]

MT 3:1 In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,

MT 3:2 And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

MT 3:3 For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.

MT 3:4 And the same John had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey.

MT 3:5 Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan,

MT 3:6 And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.

MT 3:7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?

MT 3:8 Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:

MT 3:9 And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.

MT 3:10 And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

MT 3:11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:

MT 3:12 Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.

MT 3:13 Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him.

MT 3:14 But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?

MT 3:15 And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.

MT 3:16 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:

MT 3:17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

General Information About the Book of Matthew.

The key verses to Matthew are:

Mat 23:37 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, [thou] that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under [her] wings, and ye would not!

Mat 23:38 Behold, your house is left unto you desolate.

Mat 23:39 For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed [is] he that cometh in the name of the Lord.

General information on the book of Matthew continued.

Outline of Matthew Ch. 3

I. Preparation for Christ's ministry
A. Ministry and message of John the Baptist
1. Preached in the wilderness
a. Preached Repentance
b. His preaching fulfilled prophecy
2. John was unique
a. Wore camel's hair
b. Wore leathern girdle
c. Ate locusts and wild honey
3. John's baptism
a. Many were baptized
b. In Jordan not by it
c. They confessed their sins
d. John rebukes Pharisees and Sadducees
1. He warns them of the wrath to come
2. He demanded fruits meet for repentance
3. He tells them Abraham can't save you vs. 9
4. Each man must bring his own repentance vs. 10
5. He is coming that is mightier than I
a. Whose shoes I am not wothty to bear
b. He will baptize with the Holy Ghost and with fire
c. He will purge his floor, gather His wheat, and burn the chaff
B. The Baptism of Jesus
1. Jesus comes 40 miles to be baptized by John vs. 1
2. John at first refuses
3. Jesus tells John to do it because it is right
4. John bapizes Jesus
a. In the water vs. 16
b. Jesus comes out of the water
5. The heavens were opened unto Him
6. The Spirit of God descended
a. Like a dove
b. Lighted upon Jesus
7. God speaks from heaven
a. This is my beloved Son
b. In whom I am well pleased

In verses 16 and 17 we see the trinity.

God the Son got baptized.
God the Holy Spirit descended.
God the Father testified of God the Son.

The proper authority for Baptism was important to Jesus. He traveled 40 miles to be baptized by John.

Since Jesus said that His Baptism fulfilled righteousness. Should not you follow His example?