Matthew 3: Preparing The Way

Matthew 3: Preparing The Way

Collin Leong. Jan 30, 2025

v1-12 : John The Baptist  (Isaiah 40:1-5; Mark 1:1-8; Luke 3:1-20; John 1:19-28)

(v1-6)  John "The Baptist" was born by Elizabeth, a relative to Jesus' mother, Mary. (Luke 1:36, 62-63). Most people think that Elizabeth and Mary were cousins. If so, Jesus was also a cousin to John as well. 

John who is six months older than Jesus, was preaching in the wilderness beside Jordan river. He asked the people to repent, for the kingdom or heaven was coming near. 

Matthew identified John as the person prophesied by Isaiah 40:3, "A voice of one calling: “In the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.""

John's clothes were made of camel's hair, and leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. People from Judea and Jordan confessed their sins, and were baptized at the Jordan river. 

(v7-10) When John saw some Pharisees and Sadducees coming to the river, he calls them "brood of vipers" and warns them to repent and to produce fruit. Calling themselves descendants of Abraham is not enough for salvation, as God can raise up children for Abraham from the stones.

He warns that the axe is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. 

This passage highlights the importance of genuine repentance and righteous living, rather than relying on heritage or outward appearances. 

(v11-12) John said to the crowd "I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire."   John was referring to Jesus, and that He will separate the wheat from chaff. 

The wheat represents those who are righteous and will be gathered into God's kingdom, while the chaff represents the unrighteous who will thrown into the "unquenchable fire", an eternal punishment for the wicked.  

Luke chapter 3 gave more details about John. He was teaching the people to live a righteous life and bear good fruit, but he proclaimed the "good news", that salvation can only come from the Son of God. 

John (the apostle) said that John the Baptist was a witness to testify "the light". The "light" (Jesus) was the one who made the world, and whoever believed in his name will become the children of God.  In John 1:29-31, when John the Baptist saw Jesus, he said "“Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! ... I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel.”

v13-17: Baptism of Jesus (Mark 1:9-11; Luke 3:21-22; John 1:29-34)

(v13-15) When Jesus came from Galilee to be baptized, John hesitated and told Jesus that he should be baptized by Jesus instead, as he felt unworthy. Jesus replied:  “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” 

Jesus' answer showed that he identified Himself with humanity and commitment to God's plan. It also marks the beginning of His public ministry.

(v16-17) When Jesus rise up from the water, the heaven opened and the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. A voice from heaven said: “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”  

Several people must have heard the voice; otherwise, Matthew wouldn't have wrote this. This is a good verse to counter people who did not believe that Jesus in the Son of God.