THE BOOK OF MATTHEW – Chapter 3
The Preaching of John the Baptist, The Baptism of Jesus
The days and times of Jesus, as he grew from a child into adulthood, can be found in the Book of Luke. But the book of Matthew makes a leap from Jesus as a baby to Jesus as an adult.
If this were a theatrical play, an introductory act would be found in chapter 1 of Matthew; beginning with the serene and building in drama, scene two introduces the main character, Jesus, and is found in chapter 2 of Matthew; then, in chapter 3 of Matthew, the curtain rises in a dramatic fashion, and events begin to build and will conclude in a crescendo.
But this is not a play. There is no play that could present these events which have foretold the destiny of our world, and of your life – as has the coming Messiah. The One True Living God – arriving, in person, on a living world stage. Emmanuel.
The Preaching of John the Baptist
Matthew3:1, In those days [footnote ‘a’] John the Baptist appeared, preaching in the Wilderness of Judea [along the western side of the Dead Sea] and saying,
Verse 2. “[footnote ‘b’] Repent [change your inner self, your old way of thinking, regret past sins, live your life in a way that proves repentance; seek God’s purpose for your life], for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
(Commentary Break: Repentance is a dynamic and recurring theme with Jesus and His teachings. So, it is interesting and telling that John, a forerunner for Jesus, is, giving us a look at the prerequisite for believing and following Jesus, “You must repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
This repentance may begin with the outer man, but the true repentance Jesus teaches, is of the spirit, (the heart), the soul, (the mind, will and emotions), and the body (the physical body and the cognition). It is at this point, as 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, you are truly a new creature.
Secondly, John is announcing that the kingdom of heaven is at hand, as Jesus presence is made known. (End Commentary Break).
Verse 3. This is the one who was mentioned by the prophet Isaiah when he said,
“THE VOICE OF ONE SHOUTING IN THE WILDERNESS,
‘PREPARE THE ROAD FOR THE LORD,
[footnote ‘c’] MAKE HIS HIGHWAYS STRAIGHT.’”
Verse 4. Now this same John had clothing made of camel’s hair and a leather [footnote d’]’ band around his waist; and his food was locusts and wild honey. Verse 5. At that time Jerusalem was going out to him, and all Judea and all the district around the Jordan; verse 6, and they were being baptized by him in the Jordan River, as they confessed their sins.
Verse 7. But when he saw many of the [footnote ‘e’] Pharisees and [footnote ‘f’] Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the [divine] wrath and judgment to come? Verse 8. So produce fruit that is consistent with repentance [demonstrating new behavior that proves a change of heart, and a conscious decision to turn away from sin]; verse 9, and do not presume to say to yourselves [as a defense], ‘We have Abraham for our father [so our inheritance assures us of salvation]’; for I say to you that from these stones God is able to raise up children (as descendants) for Abraham. Verse 10. And already the axe [of God’s judgment] is [footnote g’]’ swinging toward the root of the trees; therefore every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
Verse 11. “As for me, I baptize you [footnote ‘h’] with water because of [your] repentance [that is, because you are willing to change your inner self, your old way of thinking, regret your sin and live a changed life], but He, (the Messiah) who is coming after me, is mightier, [more powerful, and more noble] than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to remove; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with [footnote ‘i’] fire.
(Commentary Break: Verse 10 tells us that “the axe is already laid at the root of the trees; therefore, any tree that does not bear good fruit, is cut down.” The Olive Tree, specifically, comes to mind when talking about prophecy and about Israel. It is mentioned frequently in the Bible with regard to fruitfulness, health, and blessings. It is one of the seven species with which the land was blessed.
Jewish people associate it with the concept of “putting down roots” in the Holy Land. As such, olive trees appear in the emblems of both the State of Israel, as well as the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF). The olive tree has also been used as a motif in many works of art and in Jewish culture throughout history.
Here are some specific examples of ways the symbolism of the olive tree is represented in the Jewish faith:
Peace: The olive tree has become a consistent symbol of peace over the years, thanks to the story of Noah’s Ark and the dove that brings back an olive branch as a way to inform Noah that the rain had subsided. Olive branches even became used as a means of showing peace to other leaders/nations.
Love and celebration: Olive branches were used to make wreaths for the heads of young people on their wedding days, and at festivals in biblical times. The pilgrims who brought their first fruits to Jerusalem decorated the horns of the bull that led the procession with olive branches.
Life and vitality: Throughout the Bible, there are consistent references to olive trees as symbols of life and vitality. For example, the people of Israel are referred to as “a green olive tree, beautiful with goodly fruit” in the book of Jeremiah. When King Solomon dies, the trees of the garden mourn, shedding their leaves.
“The axe is already laid at the root of the trees”. Verse 10 is saying judgment is now at hand. The prophesied Messiah is here. Your salvation is at hand. You cannot depend on your traditions, rituals, good works, heritage or lineage to be saved from the coming wrath. It is time to repent and bear fruit of Righteousness which is in Jesus the Christ, for your salvation, or you will perish.
f there was any doubt about the role and prophetic mission of John the Baptist, these verses should dispel all doubt. John has not met with, nor has he been discipled by Jesus. Yet John’s words, his remarks and his actions and obvious fulfillment of Isaiah 40 and are as if he had been carefully instructed by Jesus beforehand. Furthermore, read these remarks by Jesus:
Matthew 4:17. From that time, Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
Matthew 23:33, “You snakes, you offspring of vipers, how will you escape the sentence of hell?:”
Verse 11 ends with an end note of the Mission of Christ in just 11 words: “He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire”. This is representative of being saved, sanctified and sent for the believer, or being sentenced to judgment and destruction! (End Commentary Break).
Verse 12. His [footnote ‘j’] winnowing fork is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clear out His threshing floor; and He will gather His wheat, (that is, His believers) into His barn, (which is His kingdom), but He will burn up the chaff (being the unrepentant) with unquenchable fire.”
(Commentary Break: Verses 11 and 12, can and should be viewed as the topic sentences for the rest of the New Testament.
Verse 12 picks up on the last sentence of verse 11, and stands out as perhaps the most brief and most concise description of the Jesus’ Mission through the End of The Age.
The winnowing fork represents the separation of the wheat and the chaff from His threshing floor, representing the days of judgment of the Great Tribulation and The Wrath of The Lamb; repeating the proclamation and warning in verse 11, He will gather His wheat, His believers, into His barn, describing the rapture and the ascending of those who have died; and He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire, is clearly the description of the fate of the unbeliever and the eternal lake of fire, or Hell. This is also indicative of the End of the Age and the destruction of the heavens and the earth by intense, fervent heat.
John clearly puts the world on notice, and in these few supremely prophetic words, puts events into motion such as the world has never seen and never will see again! (End Commentary Break).
The Baptism of Jesus
Verse 13. Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan [River], to be baptized by him. Verse 14. But John tried to prevent Him [vigorously protesting], saying, “It is I who need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?” Verse 15. But Jesus replied to him, “Permit it just now; for this is the fitting way for us [footnote ‘k’] to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John permitted [it and baptized] Him. Verse 16. After Jesus was baptized, He came up immediately out of the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he (John) saw the [footnote ‘l’] Spirit of God descending as a dove and lighting on Him (Jesus), verse 17, and behold, a [footnote ‘m’] voice from heaven said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased and delighted!”
(Commentary Break: There is so much that can be said about verses 13 through 17, but suffice it to say, Act One, Scene Two are completed with the magnificence of the heavens being opened, the significance of which cannot be overstated; the Spirit of God descending and lighting upon Jesus, and the voice from heaven confirming, “This is My beloved Son”. The stage is now set. Let the end begin! (End Commentary Break).
Keep in mind that the Bible makes use of metaphors, similes, and hyperboles to explain what would otherwise be difficult if not impossible for the natural mind to understand. But all these parts of speech point to a reality. This is not a ‘play’ or a ‘story’. It is a living, prophetic, creative, causative, instructional truth, being manifest into the natural world, in order to complete God’s plan to perfect His creation in preparation for eternity with Him and with one another.
Hebrews 10:14-18
“For by One Offering, He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified.”
“THIS IS THE COVENANT WHICH I WILL MAKE WITH THEM
AFTER THOSE DAYS, DECLARES THE LORD:
I WILL PUT MY LAWS UPON THEIR HEARTS,
AND WRITE THEM ON THEIR MIND,”
He then says,
“AND THEIR SINS AND THEIR LAWLESS DEEDS
I WILL NO LONGER REMEMBER.”
“Now, where there is forgiveness of these things, an offering for sin is no longer required.”
Your Brother and Friend,
Mike Young
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