The Bible — World English Bible

Matthew 3

In brief

Matthew 3 opens the public ministry of Jesus. John the Baptizer appears in the wilderness of Judea and announces that the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand. He calls for repentance and baptizes those who confess their sins, while warning the Pharisees and Sadducees that having Abraham for a father is not enough. He announces someone mightier, who will baptize in the Holy Spirit. Jesus then comes to be baptized: the heavens open, the Spirit descends like a dove and the Father's voice declares his love for his Son.

The chapter in 3 parts

  1. v. 1-6John the Baptizer, the voice in the wilderness: make the way of the Lord ready
  2. v. 7-12A call to bear fruit: the one who comes will baptize in the Spirit
  3. v. 13-17The baptism of Jesus: the Spirit descends, the Father speaks

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

2“Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!”

3For this is he who was spoken of by Isaiah the prophet, saying, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness, make the way of the Lord ready! Make his paths straight!”

4Now John himself wore clothing made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey.

5Then people from Jerusalem, all of Judea, and all the region around the Jordan went out to him.

6They were baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins.

7But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for his baptism, he said to them, “You offspring of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?

8Therefore produce fruit worthy of repentance!

9Don’t think to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham for our father,’ for I tell you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones.

10“Even now the ax lies at the root of the trees. Therefore every tree that doesn’t produce good fruit is cut down, and cast into the fire.

11I indeed baptize you in water for repentance, but he who comes after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you in the Holy Spirit.

12His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will thoroughly cleanse his threshing floor. He will gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn up with unquenchable fire.”

13Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him.

14But John would have hindered him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and you come to me?”

15But Jesus, answering, said to him, “Allow it now, for this is the fitting way for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he allowed him.

16Jesus, when he was baptized, went up directly from the water: and behold, the heavens were opened to him. He saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove, and coming on him.

17Behold, a voice out of the heavens said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”

Key verses

Verse 2
“Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!”

John's message comes down to a few words: repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand. Repentance is a change of direction in response to good news: the King is coming.

Verse 8
Therefore produce fruit worthy of repentance!

John does not ask for words, but for fruit worthy of repentance: a visible change of life. Calling yourself a believer does not replace transformation.

Verse 11
I indeed baptize you in water for repentance, but he who comes after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you in the Holy Spirit.

John acknowledges that he is not the Messiah. His water baptism calls for repentance, but the one who comes after him is mightier and will baptize in the Holy Spirit. Christian traditions understand this expression in different ways.

Verse 15
But Jesus, answering, said to him, “Allow it now, for this is the fitting way for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he allowed him.

John hesitates to baptize Jesus, who has no sin to confess. Jesus answers that this is the fitting way to fulfill all righteousness: he chooses to stand alongside the sinners he has come to save.

Verse 16-17
Jesus, when he was baptized, went up directly from the water: and behold, the heavens were opened to him. He saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove, and coming on him. Behold, a voice out of the heavens said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”

In this scene, the Son is baptized, the Spirit descends as a dove and the Father speaks from heaven. Many see in it a manifestation of the Trinity and a declaration of the Father's love before Jesus begins his ministry.

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What the sermons say

Radical Change: Tune Your Life to the KingdomMélanie Ehrismann meditates on Matthew 3:1 to 12 for the season of Advent. She sees in it an active waiting that prepares the way of the Lord, with the image of an orchestra tuning before it plays.Read the summary →True and False RepentancePastor Rutz cites John's call to fruit worthy of repentance. He distinguishes a repentance that renews from what is only regret, and makes it the door to a great inner cleaning.Read the summary →"You Are My Beloved Child": The Father's Voice Over YouThe preacher reads the baptism of Jesus: heaven opens, the Spirit descends, the Father speaks. He invites us to hear this word of love for ourselves, and to understand that Jesus put himself in our place.Read the summary →John the Baptist: Three Marks of a Life That Points to JesusJérémie Meyer presents three marks of John the Baptizer's life: a solid relationship with God, assurance in his identity and calling, and a humility that leaves all the room to Jesus.Read the summary →When You Find Your First Love Again, Here Is What ChangesRomaric Ware evokes the baptism of Jesus and John's response to show Jesus' obedience. He describes what changes when someone finds their first love for God again.Read the summary →The Sons of the Prophets at the Jordan: Dare to See BiggerThe message brings together two scenes on the banks of the Jordan, including the baptism of Jesus in Matthew 3:13 to 17, to invite us to leave what is narrow and to see bigger with God.Read the summary →

Frequently asked questions about Matthew 3

What does repentance mean in Matthew 3?

The word points to a change of direction: turning to God while acknowledging our faults. John the Baptizer also asks for fruit, that is, actions that prove this change. It is not simple regret: it is a response to the good news that the Kingdom of Heaven is near, and it begins with the confession of sins.

Why was Jesus baptized when he had no sin?

John asks the question himself, and Jesus answers that it is the fitting way to fulfill all righteousness. Many Christians see in it Jesus' choice to identify with sinners and to take their place. The baptism also marks the beginning of his public ministry, confirmed by the Spirit and the Father's voice.

What does it mean to baptize in the Holy Spirit and fire?

John announces that the one who comes will baptize his followers in a deeper way than he does. Christians do not all understand “fire” the same way: purification, judgment, or the power of the Spirit, as at Pentecost. Commentators often connect this verse to the coming of the Spirit in the book of Acts.

Who is John the Baptizer?

John the Baptizer is the prophet who prepares for the coming of Jesus. He lives in the wilderness of Judea, dressed in camel's hair, and calls the people to repentance. The Gospel of Matthew identifies him with the voice announced by Isaiah. He baptizes Jesus and acknowledges that he himself is less than the one who comes.

Articles quoting Matthew 3

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World English Bible translation — public domain.