Matthew 3:1-12 - Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible

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Bible Comments

John the Baptist (Mark 1:2-8 *, Luke 3:1-17) The common Synoptic material begins here. The chief difference from Mk. is the addition of Matthew 3:7-10 from Q (p. 672), cf. Luke 3:7-9, where the words are addressed not to the Pharisees and Sadducees, but to the crowd. In Mt.'s view the Pharisees thought to escape the coming judgment by the mere rite of baptism, and he makes John ask who indicated to (not warned) them that such escape was possible. More than outward repentance is needed a better life, and more than a claim to Abrahamic descent (cf. John 8:33-59). Judgment goes by character, not by race; for unrighteousness there is no escape. Matthew 3:11 f. expands Mark 1:7 f. and intensifies the idea of judgment. Mt. combines Mk.'s Holy Ghost and Q's fire. For the figure in Matthew 3:12 cf. Jeremiah 15:7.

Matthew 3:3. kingdom of heaven: lit. of the heavens. Mt. in accordance with the Jewish practice of avoiding the Divine name, uses this phrase, as Jesus probably did. Mk. and Lk., writing rather for Gentile readers, employ kingdom of God. Both phrases have the same meaning (cf. p. 662; also Matthew 21:43 *)

Matthew 3:7. Pharisees (Matthew 5:20 *) and Sadducees (cf. p. 624). brood of vipers: scorpions and snakes are frequently driven from their holes by moorland and forest fires in Palestine.

Matthew 3:11. bear: better take off (cf. John 12:6).

Related Commentaries of Matthew 3:1

Matthew 3:1-12

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

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

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.

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.

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

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

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?

8 Bring forth therefore fruits meeta for repentance:

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.

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.

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:

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.