Matthew Chapter 3 John the Baptist Prepares the Way
In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea
Verse 2. and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”
Note: Repent "Action word" Apply by turning from sin and dedicating oneself to the amendment of God. Changing the behavior.
Verse 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.’”
Verse 4. John’s clothes were made of camel’s hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey.
Verse 5. People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan.
Verse 6. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.
Note: Confessing - Recognition of Wrong. Recognize the behavior.
Verse 7. But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them: “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?
Verse 8. Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.
Note: Produce fruit in keeping with repentance- means live in the spirit of God continuously.
Verse 9. And do not think you can say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham.
Note: Obedience produces life. Commandments of God.
Verse 10. 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.
Verse 11. “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 fire.
Note: Jesus will cleanse us by his spirit boiling our sinful nature to the will of God make us born again.
Verse 12 His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”
Note: We who do good are the children of God, and we are the wheat.
Chaff means - worthless trash. Other words cannot be used. Not willing to submit to the will of God.
