Matthew 3:11 - Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes

Bible Comments

with. Greek. en. The literal rendering of the Hebrew (Beth = B). Matthew 7:6; Matthew 9:34. Rom 15:6. 1 Corinthians 4:21, &c.

shoes. sandals.

worthy. fit or equal. Not the same word as "meet for" in Matthew 3:8.

bear. bring or fetch. Mark: "stoop down and unloose". Luke: "unloose". Probably repeated often in different forms.

He shall baptize. "He" is emph.. He Himself will, and no other. See App-115. See Acts 1:4; Acts 1:5; Acts 2:3; Acts 11:15.Isaiah 44:3. Compare Ezekiel 36:26; Ezekiel 36:27; Joel 2:28.

baptize... with. See App-115.

the Holy Ghost = pneuma hagion, holy spirit, or "power from on high". No Articles. See App-101.

fire. See Acts 2:3. Note the Figure of speech Hendiadys (App-6). with pneuma hagion. yea, with. burning (or purifying) spirit too, separating the chaff from the wheat (Matthew 3:12), not mingling them together in water. "Fire" in Matthew 3:11. Mat 3:35 symbolic (see Isaiah 4:3. Ma Matthew 1:3; Matthew 1:1-4; Matthew 4:1. Compare Psalms 1:4; Psalms 35:5.Isaiah 17:13; Isaiah 30:24; Isaiah 41:16; Jeremiah 51:2.Hosea 13:3; Hosea 13:3). In Matthew 3:12, the "fire" is literal; for destroying, not for purging. Note the seven emblems of the Spirit (or of pneuma hagion) in Scripture. "FIRE" (Matthew 3:11.Acts 2:3; Acts 2:3); "WATER" (Ezekiel 36:25.John 3:5; John 7:38; John 7:39); "WIND" (Ezekiel 37:1-10); "OIL" (Isaiah 61:1.Hebrews 1:9; Hebrews 1:9);. "SEAL" (Ephesians 1:13; Ephesians 4:30); an "EARNEST" (Ephesians 1:14);. "DOVE" (Matthew 3:16).

Matthew 3:11

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: