Breadcrumbs
Home
Grow Read & Write Study Matthew Chapter Three
Matthew Chapter Three
Great Things were spoken
Great things were spoken both of John and Jesus, at and before their births, which would have given occasion to expect some extraordinary appearances of a divine presence and power with them when they were very young; but it was otherwise. Except for Luke’s account of an incident in the life of Jesus when He was twelve (Luke 2:41-50 
) nothing appears remarkable concerning either of them, until they were about thirty years old.
) nothing appears remarkable concerning either of them, until they were about thirty years old.John the Baptist
John the Baptist was a priest of the order of Aaron, yet we find him preaching in a wilderness, and never officiating in the temple; Jesus who was not a son of Aaron, is often found in the temple, and sitting there as one having authority; as it was foretold in Malachi 3:1.
Mal 3:1
3 "Look! I am sending my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. Then the Lord you are seeking will suddenly come to his Temple. The messenger of the covenant, whom you look for so eagerly, is surely coming," says the Lord of Heaven's Armies.
NLT
Those who expected the coming of the forerunner of the Messiah expected the forerunner to come in spectacular manner, fitting for one who had such a great responsibility. John did not appear dressed in the robes of a scribe, his clothing was plain, similar to Elijah’s clothing (2 Kings 1:8 ) and was the usual dress of prophets (Zechariah 13:4 ). His diet was consist of locusts and wild honey; this does not mean he did not eat any thing else.
) and was the usual dress of prophets (Zechariah 13:4 ). His diet was consist of locusts and wild honey; this does not mean he did not eat any thing else.John showed the deep sense he had of the time and place he lived in, which made the preaching of repentance necessary. His call to repent agreed with his office as Messiah’s forerunner. His calling people to repent showed that he knew what the kingdom of heaven was, and had experienced the powers of it.
Great multitudes came to him from the city, and from all parts of the country; men, women, young and old, rich and poor, Pharisees and publicans. This was a great honor put upon John, that so many attended him, and with so much respect. Those who are humble, self-denying, and dead to the world, command respect; and men have a secret value and reverence for them, more than they would admit. This gave John a great opportunity of doing well, and was evidence that God was with him.
Those who came to where John was preaching the word and repented were baptized, thereby professing their repentance, and their belief that the kingdom of heaven was at hand. Their baptism was a testimony of their repentance.
The Pharisees and Sadducees
When John saw these Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was preaching and baptizing he did not give them the titles, much less the applauses, they had been used to; he calls them a “brood of vipers” ({bible}Matt 3:7(/bible)). In this reference to a brood of vipers, John was telling the Pharisees and Sadducees they were like the venomous and poisonous viper. Their malice and enmity to every thing that was good is as deadly as the bite of a viper. They gloried in the fact that they were the seed of Abraham; but John showed them that they were the serpent's seed, the seed of Satan.
John’s question, “who warned you to flee from the wrath to come” implies they were in danger of the wrath to come, and their hearts so hardened in sin, that it was almost impossible to convince them they needed to repent.
The Pharisees and Sadducees believed they did not need to repent because they were the descendants of Abraham. However, John points out this will not provide escape from judgment, and the wrath to come. It is vain presumption to think that our having good relations will save us. Although we might be descended from pious ancestors, are part of families where the fear of God is uppermost; and have good friends to advise us, and pray for us; what will all this avail us, if we do not repent, and live a life of repentance? Multitudes, by resting in the honors and advantages of their visible church-membership, will fall short of heaven.
Note, John’s warning
Matt 3:10
10 Even now the ax of God's judgment is poised, ready to sever the roots of the trees. Yes, every tree that does not produce good fruit will be chopped down and thrown into the fire.
NLT
John’s point is, a person regardless of their gifts and honors, their external professions and performances, if they do not produce the fruits of repentance, is disowned as a tree in God's vineyard, unworthy to have room there, and is cast into the fire of God’s wrath. If not fit for fruit, they are fit for fuel. Probably this refers to the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans. The other judgments that came upon Jerusalem were comparable to the cutting off of the branches, or cutting down of the body of the tree, leaving the root to bud again, but the coming wrath would be the total, final, and irrecoverable destruction of that people that continue in their sinful ways.
John closes his warning with a word of instruction concerning Jesus, in whom all John's preaching centered. Note, the words of dignity and pre-eminence John emphasizes. Note, how John speaks of himself, that he might magnify Jesus (Mt 11 ), “As for me, I baptize you with water for repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I.” Though John had much power, for he came in the spirit and power of Elijah, Jesus has more; though John was truly great in the sight of the Lord, yet John says, “I am not fit to remove His sandals” (v 11). It is a great comfort to the faithful ministers who recognize that Jesus Christ is mightier than they are and can do for them what they cannot do for themselves.
), “As for me, I baptize you with water for repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I.” Though John had much power, for he came in the spirit and power of Elijah, Jesus has more; though John was truly great in the sight of the Lord, yet John says, “I am not fit to remove His sandals” (v 11). It is a great comfort to the faithful ministers who recognize that Jesus Christ is mightier than they are and can do for them what they cannot do for themselves.