Matthew Chapter 3 – Commentary and Explanation
(Bible Study Blog in a Conversational Style)
When you turn the page from Matthew 2 into Matthew 3, it feels like a time jump. We’re not in Bethlehem anymore. The wise men, the flight to Egypt, the early childhood years of Jesus—they’re not the focus now. Matthew skips ahead nearly three decades in the story, and suddenly, we’re introduced to this rugged, almost wild figure called John the Baptist. And trust me, he’s not the type of preacher you forget.
We start with a setting: "In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea." Right off, Matthew paints a picture. The wilderness. Not the temple courts, not the city streets, not a polished synagogue. John is out there in the rugged, dusty, quiet places—where the sun beats down and the land feels empty. It’s almost like God is making a point: His message wasn’t going to start in a place of political power or religious tradition. It’s starting in the margins, away from all that.
John’s Message – Short, But Weighty
John’s preaching can be summed up in one short sentence: "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." That’s it. Not long-winded speeches. No carefully crafted “10 ways to improve your spiritual life” outlines. Just repent—turn from sin—because something big is coming.
And when John says "the kingdom of heaven," he doesn’t mean some far-off spiritual cloud land. He’s talking about God’s reign, God’s rule, breaking into the world. It’s about God stepping into history, shaking things up, putting things right. The kingdom of heaven isn’t about escape; it’s about invasion—heaven breaking into earth.
The way John ties repentance to the kingdom is important. You can’t separate the two. If God’s kingdom is coming, then it makes sense you’ve got to prepare for it. You can’t cling to sin and rebellion while also embracing God’s reign. John’s call is urgent—turn around now, because the King is almost here.
John the Voice
Matthew then quotes Isaiah: "The voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight."
I love this. John’s not calling himself the light or the hero of the story. He’s just a voice. A voice isn’t the main attraction—it’s the thing that announces something else. His job was to make the path ready for Jesus, like workers smoothing a rough road before a king’s arrival.
And honestly, there’s something humble in that. John knows his role. He’s not trying to build his own kingdom or his own following. He’s simply there to point to someone greater.
The Man Himself
Now, let’s be real—John’s appearance is something you’d notice. Camel’s hair clothing, a leather belt, and a diet of locusts and wild honey. Not exactly the attire of a Jerusalem religious leader. He’s like an Old Testament prophet come to life—actually, a lot like Elijah. Even his diet and dress are a living sermon. He’s saying with his life: “I’m not here for comfort or fashion or the praise of people. I’m here to deliver God’s word.”
In a way, John’s lifestyle backed up his message. If he had shown up in silk robes and fancy meals, preaching repentance, people might have thought, “Yeah right, easy for you to say.” But his rugged, stripped-down life showed he was serious.
Crowds in the Wilderness
What’s fascinating is that despite John being out in the middle of nowhere, people came. Crowds from Jerusalem, Judea, and all the region around the Jordan traveled out to hear him. That’s not a short walk. They had to leave comfort behind, maybe even take days to get there. But something about John’s preaching drew them.
When they came, it wasn’t just to hear. Many confessed their sins and were baptized in the Jordan River. That was symbolic—a washing, a fresh start, a public sign of turning from sin.
And here’s the thing—John’s baptism wasn’t just a ritual for tradition’s sake. It meant something radical. It was saying: I need to be cleansed before the kingdom comes. It was humbling. You admitted you weren’t ready, and you wanted to change.
The Pharisees and Sadducees Arrive
Now, not everyone came with the right motives. Matthew says the Pharisees and Sadducees showed up. And John didn’t exactly roll out a warm welcome. He called them a "generation of vipers"—basically, “you snakes!” Not the way to win friends, but John wasn’t here to flatter anyone.
Why so harsh? Because John saw through them. They were there maybe to check things out, maybe to maintain their influence, maybe even to gain religious “points” by being seen at the revival. But John knew they weren’t there with true repentance.
He tells them plainly: "Bring forth fruits meet for repentance." In other words, don’t just claim you’ve repented—show it in how you live. Real repentance changes actions, not just words.
Then he hits another false comfort they had: "Don’t think you can say, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’" They thought being descendants of Abraham automatically made them right with God. But John reminds them—God can raise up children for Abraham from stones. Lineage won’t save you. Your own heart and obedience matter.
The Axe at the Root
John warns: "The axe is laid unto the root of the trees: every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire." Strong imagery. This isn’t pruning. This is total removal. God’s judgment is coming, and empty religion won’t survive it.
It’s sobering. Trees without fruit—people without real obedience to God—will face the fire. It’s not a popular message, but John’s not here to make it palatable.
John’s Baptism vs. Jesus’ Baptism
John makes an important contrast: "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."
This is where John shines in humility again. In that culture, carrying someone’s sandals was the work of the lowest servant. And John says he’s not even worthy of that when it comes to Jesus.
Then he says Jesus will baptize "with the Holy Ghost and with fire." John’s baptism is about preparing hearts, but Jesus’ baptism is about transformation. The Holy Spirit brings new life, power, and God’s presence. The fire could mean purification for believers and judgment for the unrepentant.
He adds another image—the winnowing fan. This is how farmers separated wheat from chaff. The good grain is kept; the worthless husks are burned. Again, a picture of separation and judgment.
Jesus Comes to Be Baptized
Now here’s the twist. Jesus shows up. The one without sin walks into the line of sinners to be baptized. It’s so unexpected that John is caught off guard. He says, "I need to be baptized by you, and you come to me?"
Think about that. John’s been preaching that everyone needs repentance. And then here comes Jesus—perfect, holy, spotless. Why would He need baptism?
Jesus answers: "Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness." This is Jesus stepping into our place. He’s identifying with us, taking our path, showing obedience to the Father. His baptism wasn’t for repentance—it was about fulfilling God’s plan and setting an example.
The Heavens Open
And then—this incredible moment. As soon as Jesus is baptized, the heavens open. The Spirit of God descends like a dove and rests on Him. And a voice from heaven says: "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."
It’s one of those rare moments in the Bible where we see the Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—all at once. The Father’s voice, the Son in the water, the Spirit descending. It’s a divine stamp of approval on Jesus’ mission.
For us, it’s also a reminder: Jesus didn’t start His ministry without the Father’s affirmation and the Spirit’s presence. And if even Jesus ministered in the Spirit’s power, how much more do we need that?
What We Learn from Matthew 3
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Repentance Is Non-Negotiable
John’s first word was “Repent.” That’s not just an Old Testament thing or a John-the-Baptist thing. It’s the foundation for entering God’s kingdom. Turning to God means turning away from sin.
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Humility Prepares the Way
John didn’t point to himself—he pointed to Jesus. His whole life was about decreasing so Christ could increase. That’s still the posture of true ministry today.
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Faith Is Personal, Not Just Inherited
Being born into a Christian family, going to church, knowing the right lingo—none of that replaces a real relationship with God.
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Judgment Is Real
The axe, the fire, the winnowing—these are not soft images. God’s patience has a limit, and there will be a separation between true and false, wheat and chaff.
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Jesus Identifies with Us
His baptism shows He’s not distant from our struggles. He stepped into our story so we could be brought into His.
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The Spirit Empowers the Mission
Before Jesus preached a sermon or healed a sick person, He received the Spirit’s anointing. We can’t skip that step in our own service to God.
Matthew Chapter 3 is short, but it’s loaded. It’s the bridge between the quiet years of Jesus’ life and the start of His public ministry. It’s the call to prepare, to turn, to expect something greater. And it’s a chapter where heaven itself speaks, saying: "This is My Son."
If John were here today, maybe he’d still be out in some wilderness, calling us to repent. And maybe we’d still have to leave our comfort zones to hear the truth. But the message would be the same: Get ready—the King is here.
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