Matthew 3

Matthew 3:1

IN those dayes] The Evangelist omits the course of our Saviours life in private, and begins at his preparation for his publike ministery, intending not to satisfie mens curiositie, but to write those things that may further our salvation. The dayes here mentioned, are not meant of Christs first setling in Nazareth, but while he abode there: for this was done above twenty yeers after his coming thither. See Luke 3. 23.

came] Gr. cometh. He went not far, but shewed himself then, Luke 1, 80.

John the Baptist] Mark 1:4. Luke 3:2. So called, because he was the first that was sent by God to baptize, John 1:33. John, who through his singular holinesse, and rare austerenesse of life, caused all men to cast their eyes upon him, now prepareth the way for Christ, following fast at his heels, as the prophet Isaiah foretold: and delivereth the sum of the Gospel, which in short space after should be delivered more fully.

in the wildernesse of Judea] A place more fit for pasture, then for corn, Luke 15:4. and full of mountains, Luke 1:39. yet inhabited, though not so full of towns and houses as other parts of Judea, 1 Kings 2:34. Joshua 15:61. 1 Samuel 25:1-2. It seems not to be far from his fathers house, Luke 1:39-40. and the place where he lived, till he shewed himself to Israel, Luke 1:80.

Matthew 3:2

Repent ye] So our Saviour begins his preaching, Chap. 4. 17. and confirms Johns doctrine. John taught other things also, Luke 3. but this he begun withall, and this was the main scope of his doctrine. The word in the originall signifies, the change of our mindes from false wayes to the right, and of our hearts, from evil to good. He shews them, what they should do, not what they could do of themselves.

the kingdom of heaven] The kingdom of the Messias, whose government shall be heavenly, and lead to heaven, Daniel 2:44.

Matthew 3:3

For this is he] The words of the Evangelist, giving a reason, why John preached thus.

The voice of one crying] Isaiah 40:3. Mark 1:3. He spake thus loud and fervently, concerning Christ, because it was his office.

Prepare ye the way of the Lord] As men make the wayes plain and smooth, and take all rubs out of the way, when an harbinger gives them warning of the coming of the king: so do ye spiritually prepare your hearts to entertain Christ, who is now at hand.

Matthew 3:4

his raiment of camels hair] A course rough garment made of that hair, such as the prophets used to wear, Zechariah 13:4. As he came in the spirit of Elias, so in habit he resembled him, 2 Kings 1:8.

a leathern girdle] Here in also he was like Elias. See 2 Kings 1:8. Not as was usuall with those of the better sort in those parts, of finer stuff, which they used also as purses to carry their money in. See on Chap. 10. 9.

about his loins] Which parts used to be girt, Luke 12:35. Ephesians 6:14. 1 Peter 3:13.

locusts] Which were not unclean, but allowed for food, Leviticus 11:22. and were usually eaten of many people in those parts. Others understand it, of fruits like locusts, growing on some trees in those regions.

wilde honey] Either naturall honey, such as is found upon the leaves of some trees at some times, which they commonly call, manna: or, artificiall, such as bees make ordinarily in woods, and clifts of rocks. Of which, Deuteronomy 32:13. Psalms 81:16. 1 Samuel 14:26.

Matthew 3:5

Then went out to him] The want of prophets, his unusuall manner of preaching, and austerity of life drew multitudes to him.

Jerusalem] The people of Jerusalem.

and all Judea] The most of the Jews, as Luke 2:1; Luke 2:3.

round about Jordan] On both sides the river.

Matthew 3:6

were baptized] Washed by dipping in Jordan, as Mark 7:4. Hebrews 9:10. So the Jews used formerly to do with their proselytes. But this was by speciall commission, John 1. 33.

confessing their sins] In words, professing their detestation of them, and repentance for them: or, by that rite acknowledging they were sinners, and that their souls needed washing.

Matthew 3:7

of the Pharisees] A sect that divided themselves from others, as more righteous then they, as the name imports: or, it may signifie, Expounders of the law. Yet they gave many false glosses. See Chap. 5. 20. 21. and 23. 16, 17.

and Sadduces] Another sect so named from Sadoc their first founder: or, as some think, because they also professe themselves righteous, though indeed they were meer Libertines, and held opinions destructive of all pietie, Acts 23:8.

come to his baptism] Which some of them it seems embraced, though others of them refused so to do, Luke 7:30.

O generation of vipers] Or, O viperous brood. Chap. 12. 34. and 23. 33. A pernicious creature, Acts 28:3-4. He meaneth not that they were originally corrupt from their parents, for so were all the rest: but that they were very badly bred, and poysoned deeply with the pernicious errours, which they received one from another, and conveyed one to another.

who hath warned you] It may seem strange that you could by any man be induced, to deem your selves in danger of wrath and destruction, conceiving your selves to be so holy and perfect, as ye outwardly pretend to be, and it may therefore well be doubted, whether this your profession of repentance be indeed sound and sincere. And the rather admire at it, concerning them both, because the Pharisees thought they were not in danger of hell, Luke 18:9; Luke 18:11. and the Sadduces beleeved no hell, Acts 23:8.

to flee from the wrath to come] By repentance, the onely means to prevent it, Luke 13:5; Luke 13:7.

the wrath to come] Gods judgement, either in this life, or the next, 1 Thessalonians 1:10.

Matthew 3:8

fruits] A metaphor from trees, verse 10. They must not onely have leaves of legall ceremonies, but also fruits of good life; from whence, men are called Trees of righteousnesse, Isaiah 61:3. and their works, Fruits of righteousnesse, Phil. 1. 11.

meet for repentance] Or, answerable to amendment of life. Actions testifying repentance, and agreeable thereunto, Acts 26:10. Let the sincerity of your repentance appear by the integrity of your lives, Daniel 4:27.

Matthew 3:9

think not to say] Or, say not. As what he thinks he hath, or seems to have, Luke 8. 18. for that which he hath, Matthew 25:29.

We have Abraham to our father] John 8:39. Do not think your selves to be safe and well, as those that neither need repentance, nor have cause to fear judgement, because ye are of the holy seed, being of Abrahams posteritie, Romans 11:16. Or, do not think, that God either will not, or cannot cut you off, because he hath promised to continue a seed to Abraham for ever, Jeremiah 31:35-36.

God is able] He can perform his promise to Abraham, though ye all perish.

of these stones] He looks to the stones on the ground. It may also be an allusion to Isai. 51. 1, 2. An emphaticall expression, like that, Luke 19. 40. 50. Numbers 14:12.

to raise up] As to the deceased seed, or issue, Genesis 38:8. Chap. 22. 24.

children unto Abraham] Spirituall ones, Romans 9:8. by taking away their stony hearts, and giving them hearts of flesh, Ezekiel 11:19. children of promise, Galatians 3:29.

Matthew 3:10

now also is the ax laid] The Romans are coming quickly to take your citie: or, ye shall quickly be sent to hell, for despising the Gospel, Acts 17. 30, 31.

unto the root of the trees] The Babylonians lopt you before, but now ye shall be utterly destroyed. A metaphor from trees, Luke 13:8-9. Or, God will root you out of the earth, and send you to hell, if ye repent not speedily.

Therefore every tree] Chap. 7. 19.

which bringeth not forth good fruit] An allusion to Deuteronomy 20:20.

Matthew 3:11

I indeed] Mark 1:8. Luke 3. 16. John 1. 26.

baptize you with water] I can onely give you the outward element. Thus John depresseth himself, and afterwards extolleth Christ, because the people thought too highly of John, Luke 3:15-16.

unto repentance] That thereby you may make profession of your repentance, Mark 1:4. Which by that rite or seal of Gods covenant, is on mans part obsigned.

he that cometh after me] Who begins the execution of his ministery shortly after I begun mine.

is mightier then I] He is therefore able to give you the thing signified in baptism.

whose shoes I am not worthy to bear] As he is stronger then I, so he is so much more excellent then I, that I am not worthy to do the office of the meanest of his servants, 1 Samuel 25:41.

with the holy Ghost and with fire] Inwardly with the Holy Ghost, and outwardly with tongues of fire, Acts 2:3-4. Or, with the Holy Ghost, purging your souls, as fire doth metals, Isaiah 1:25. and Isaiah 4:4.

Matthew 3:12

Whose fan is in his hand] Who is ready to make a separation between good and bad, as by the use of the fan, corn and chaff are severed, and that either by speciall judgements here, or in the generall judgement hereafter, Malachi 3:18. and 4. 1, 2. Chap. 13. 30, 49.

gather his wheat into the garner] Gather his own people into his church here, and bring them into heaven, the place of their eternall abode hereafter, as men lay up their corn in garners.

burn up the chaff] Destroy wicked men here, and cast them into hell hereafter; as men oftentimes make fuell of their chaff.

fire unquenchable] Isaiah 66:24. chap. 13. 30, 42. Mark 9:45.

Matthew 3:13

Then cometh Jesus] Mark 1:9. Luke 3. 21. To wit, when John, by preaching and baptizing, had prepared the people to receive him.

from Galilee to Jordan] He might have sent for John to come into Galilee to baptize him; but he comes to him, that he might more publikely enter into his ministery.

unto John] He shews his humility, in coming to him.

to be baptized of him] He needed not baptism, having no sin in him; but, as he took on him the similitude of sinfull flesh, so would he take the sacrament also of purgation and remission of sins. As, by being circumcised, he declared that he was the Saviour of such as believed in the old Testament; so, by being baptized, that he is the Saviour of us in the new. Hereby also he confirms Johns baptism, and sanctifies ours.

Matthew 3:14

John forbade him] Out of modestie: for though they lived not together before, lest they should have been thought to conspire together, yet now, doubtlesse, he knew him by revelation, John 1:33.

I have need to be baptized of thee] Inwardly and spiritually; for thou onely canst do it. Or, it is fitter that thou shouldest baptize me, being so far the more worthy person.

Matthew 3:15

Suffer it to be so now] Though I be greater then thou art, yet suffer me now to be baptized of thee.

to fulfill all righteousnesse] It becomes me to submit to Gods ordinance, and thee to do thy office; for it is just we should so do.

he suffered him] Being willing to obey Christ, and convinced by the reason given him, he was content to do that, which otherwise he was loth to do.

Matthew 3:16

went up straightway out of the water, and lo, the heavens were opened] Or, assoon as he came up out of the water, lo, the heavens were opened. An usuall introduction to solemn visions, Ezekiel 1:1. John 1:51. Acts 7:56. This was done now, that John and Christ might see the dove descend, and hear the voyce coming from thence.

unto him] To John, John 1:32.

the Spirit of God descending] To assure John that this was the true Messias, John 1:33. and to make Christ known to be so to the people, because he was presently to enter upon his publike office.

like a dove] To shew the innocency and meeknesse of our Saviour.

upon him] Upon Christ, Isaiah 11:2.

Matthew 3:17

A voice from heaven] The voice of God the Father, as appears by the words following, consecrating and authorizing Christ to be our Mediatour, and to go about the work of our redemption. Here is also a demonstration of the Trinitie: the Father speaks from heaven, the Son comes out of the water, the holy Ghost appears in the likenesse of a dove.

This is] He speaks of Christ, but to the people. He, on whom the dove sits, is.

my beloved Son] My naturall Son, by eternall generation, and therefore dearest to me.

in whom I am well pleased] My judgement is satisfied, and my affection setled upon him, and, in him, upon all believers, who were the children of wrath before, Ephesians 2:3.