Matthew 3
John the Baptist appears in the wilderness preaching repentance and baptizing in the Jordan River. Jesus comes to be baptized, and the heavens open with the Spirit descending like a dove and the Father's voice declaring Him beloved Son.
In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea
John the Baptist appears preaching repentance
John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
Read Mark 1 ›John the Baptist preaching baptism of repentance
He went into all the region around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins,
Read Luke 3 ›John the Baptist's testimony — John's gospel perspective
And this was John’s testimony when the Jews of Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him, “Who are you?”
Read John 1 ›and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.”
This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: “A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for Him.’”
'A voice of one calling in the wilderness: Prepare the way for the Lord.' John the Baptist is Isaiah's voice — 700 years of waiting, then suddenly, a man appears in the desert.
A voice of one calling: “Prepare the way for the LORD in the wilderness; make a straight highway for our God in the desert.
Read Isaiah 40 ›A voice of one calling in the wilderness — John the Baptist
A voice of one calling: “Prepare the way for the LORD in the wilderness; make a straight highway for our God in the desert.
Read Isaiah 40 ›John wore a garment of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey.
Elijah wore garments of hair — John wore clothing of camel hair
“He was a hairy man,” they answered, “with a leather belt around his waist.” “It was Elijah the Tishbite,” said the king.
Read 2 Kings 1 ›People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region around the Jordan.
Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.
But when John saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his place of baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?
Brood of vipers — John rebukes the crowds
Then John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?
Read Luke 3 ›Produce fruit, then, in keeping with repentance.
And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham.
The axe lies ready at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.
I baptize you with water for repentance, but after me will come One more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.
He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire
I baptize you with water, but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
Read Mark 1 ›Baptize with the Holy Spirit — John's prophecy
John answered all of them: “I baptize you with water, but One more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.
Read Luke 3 ›He who will baptize with the Holy Spirit — John's gospel
I myself did not know Him, but the One who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit descend and rest is He who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’
Read John 1 ›His winnowing fork is in His hand to clear His threshing floor and to gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”
At that time Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John.
Jesus baptized by John in the Jordan
In those days Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan.
Read Mark 1 ›Jesus' baptism — Luke's account
When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as He was praying, heaven was opened,
Read Luke 3 ›But John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?”
“Let it be so now,” Jesus replied. “It is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness in this way.” Then John permitted Him.
As soon as Jesus was baptized, He went up out of the water. Suddenly the heavens were opened, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and resting on Him.
Spirit descending like a dove at baptism
As soon as Jesus came up out of the water, He saw the heavens breaking open and the Spirit descending on Him like a dove.
Read Mark 1 ›I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove — John's witness
Then John testified, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove and resting on Him.
Read John 1 ›Jesus' baptism in Luke — Luke adds that Jesus was praying when heaven opened. Three perspectives on the same moment the Father spoke.
and the Holy Spirit descended on Him in a bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased.”
Read Luke 3 ›Spirit of the Lord resting on him — Spirit descending like a dove
The Spirit of the LORD will rest on Him—the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and strength, the Spirit of knowledge and fear of the LORD.
Read Isaiah 11 ›And a voice from heaven said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased!”
This is my beloved Son — voice from heaven at baptism
And a voice came from heaven: “You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased.”
Read Mark 1 ›You are my Son, whom I love — voice from heaven
and the Holy Spirit descended on Him in a bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased.”
Read Luke 3 ›This is my beloved Son — voice at baptism
I will proclaim the decree spoken to Me by the LORD: “You are My Son; today I have become Your Father.
Read Psalms 2 ›'Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one, in whom I delight.' Isaiah's servant song echoes in the Father's voice at Jesus' baptism: 'This is my Son, whom I love.'
“Here is My Servant, whom I uphold, My Chosen One, in whom My soul delights. I will put My Spirit on Him, and He will bring justice to the nations.
Read Isaiah 42 ›Have a question about Matthew 3?
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