Matthew 3

1 In those days [at that time, during that period] John [who baptizes] the Baptist [one who baptizes, a preacher of repentance] came [appeared, arrived], preaching [proclaiming, heralding the gospel] in the wilderness [desert, deserted place] of Judea [a region in southern Palestine, the land of the Jews] word study 2 and saying [preaching, proclaiming], “Repent [turn away from sin, change your mind], for the kingdom [reign, dominion] of heaven [the celestial realm, God’s throne] is near [at hand, has arrived].” word study 3 This is he [the prophet, foretold by Isaiah] who was spoken of [prophesied, foretold] through the prophet Isaiah: “A voice [cry, shout] of one calling [crying out, shouting] in the wilderness [desert, deserted place], ‘Prepare [make ready, get ready] the way [road, path] for the Lord [God, Master], make straight [level, straighten] paths [roads, highways] for Him [God, the Messiah].’” word study 4 John wore a garment [coarse clothing, made from camel’s hair] of camel’s hair, with a leather [made of leather, a girdle] belt around his waist [loins, the hip area]. His food [nourishment, sustenance] was locusts [grasshoppers, a type of insect] and wild [fierce, untamed] honey [a sweet, golden liquid]. word study 5 People [from various places, crowds] went out to him from [the city of] Jerusalem [the capital of Palestine] and all [every part of] Judea [a region in southern Palestine] and the whole [entire, surrounding] region [area, district] around [near, surrounding] the Jordan [River, a significant location in Palestine]. word study 6 Confessing [openly admitting, acknowledging] their sins [missing the mark, falling short of God’s standards], they were baptized [immersed, fully wet] by him [under his authority, by his hand] in the Jordan [a significant river in Palestine, a place of spiritual renewal] River. word study 7 But when John saw many [a large crowd of] of the Pharisees [strict Jewish sect members] and Sadducees [Jewish leaders rejecting the afterlife] coming to his place of baptism [ceremonial washing, immersion], he said to them, “You brood [offspring, generation] of vipers [poisonous snakes, symbolizing evil], who warned [showed, instructed] you to flee [run away, escape] from the coming [approaching, impending] wrath [God’s strong anger, punishment]? word study 8 Produce [bring forth, show] fruit [worthy actions, results of a changed heart], then [therefore, as a consequence], in keeping with [worthy of, suitable for] repentance [a change of heart, turning away from sin]. word study 9 And do not [think to yourself] presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have [as our ancestor, the father of our faith] Abraham as our father [the patriarch of our nation].’ For I tell you that out of these [lifeless, inanimate] stones God [the all-powerful Creator] can raise up [bring into being, give life to] children for Abraham. word study 10 The axe [lying ready, already in position] lies ready at the root [the source, foundation] of the trees, and every tree [a plant with a trunk and branches] that does not produce [bring forth, yield] good [beautiful, virtuous] fruit will be cut down [hewn, chopped] and thrown [cast, tossed] into the fire [flames]. word study 11 I baptize [immerse, submerge] you with water for repentance [a change of heart, turning from sin], but after me will come One more powerful [mightier, stronger] than I, whose sandals [footwear] I am not worthy [sufficient, competent] to carry. He will baptize [immerse, fill] you with the Holy Spirit [the divine Presence, the Helper] and with fire [purifying, refining]. word study 12 His winnowing fork [a farming tool to separate grain from chaff] is in His hand [a symbol of power and authority] to clear [thoroughly cleanse, purge] His threshing floor [a place of separation and judgment] and to gather His wheat [grain, especially wheat] into the barn [a place of safety and storage]; but He will burn up [consume completely] the chaff [the worthless, the wicked] with unquenchable [endless, unstoppable] fire [flames].” word study 13 At that time [then, at a specific point in time] Jesus [God is salvation, the son of God] came from Galilee [a region in Palestine] to the Jordan [a river in Palestine, a significant location] to be baptized [to be immersed, fully wet or submerged] by John [the Baptist, a prophet and forerunner of Jesus]. word study 14 But John tried to prevent [would have hindered] Him, saying, “I [Personally, for myself] need [have a requirement, a necessity] to be baptized [immersed, fully wet] by You [by your authority, in your name], and do You [should you, is it fitting for you to] come [approach, go] to me [to my level, in my presence]?” word study 15 “Let it be so now [at this moment],” Jesus [Joshua, God is salvation] replied. “It is [morally] fitting [proper, suitable] for us [I, we] to fulfill [complete, satisfy] all [every aspect of] righteousness [living according to God’s will, being in right relationship with Him] in this way [thus, like this].” Then [at that time] John permitted [released, allowed] Him. word study 16 As soon as Jesus [the Messiah, God’s Anointed] was baptized [immersed in water, fully wet], He went up out of the water [immediately, straight away]. Suddenly [lo, behold] the heavens [the sky, God’s dwelling place] were opened [made accessible, revealed], and He saw the Spirit [the divine Breath, God’s presence] of God [the Father, Creator] descending [coming down, alighting] like a dove [a symbol of peace, innocence] and resting [landing, staying] on Him [upon Jesus, the Christ]. word study 17 And a voice [from the heavenly realm, out of the heavens] from heaven said, “This is My beloved [dearly loved, cherished] Son, in whom [in His presence, through His life] I am well pleased [delighted, thoroughly satisfied]!” word study