MATTHEW
Chapter 3
Update: 2024.04.13
Mat. 3:1 (LIT/UBS4) But (de) in (en) the (tais) days (hēmerais) for those things (ekeinais) John (Iōannēs), the (ho) Baptist (baptistēs), causes himself to become alongside3854 (paraginetai), preaching (kērussōn) in (en) the (tē) desolate place (erēmō) of the (tēs) Judaea (Ioudaias),
Mat. 3:2 (LIT/UBS4) and (kai) saying (legōn), "Repent (metanoeite), because (gar) the (hē) Kingdom932 (basileia) of the (tōn) Heavens (ouranōn) has come near1448 (ēngiken)!”
(For how near is the Kingdom of the Heavens, i.e., the Kingdom of God, see Mat. 3:2, 4:17, 6:10, 10:7, 26:29; Mark 1:15, 9:1, 14:25, 43; Luke 10:9-11, *17:20-21, 19:12, 22:18, 47; Acts 2:39; 1 Cor. 6:12, 10:23, 11:25; Heb. 8:8, 9:15)
Mat. 3:3 (LIT/UBS4) Because (gar) this (houtos) [preaching, v1, RE] is (estin) the (ho) [preaching, v1, RE] having been stated (rhētheis) through (dia) Esaias (Esaiou), the (tou) prophet (prophētou), saying (legontos), "[A] voice (phōnē) of shouting (boōntos) in (en) the (tē) desolate place (erēmō), ‘Make ready (hetoimasate) the (tēn) way (hodon) of [the] Lord (kuriou, YHWH)!
Make (poiete) the (tas) paths (tribous) of him (autou) straight (eutheias)!'"
(See Isaiah 40:3)
Mat. 3:4 (LIT/UBS4) But (de) the (ho) John (Iōannēs) himself (autos) was having (eichen) the (to) clothing (enduma) of him (autou) from (apo) hairs (trichōn) of [a] camel (kamēlou), and (kai) [a] skin (dermatinēn) girdle (zōnēn) around (peri) the (tēn) loin (osphun) of him (autou).
But (de) the (hē) nourishment (trophē) of him (autou) was being (ēn) locusts (akrides) and (kai) field (agrion) honey (meli).
Mat. 3:5 (LIT/UBS4) Then (tote) Jerusalem (Hierosoluma) was causing herself to go out (exeporeueto) to (pros) him (auton), and (kai) all (pasa) the (hē) Judaea (Ioudaia), and (kai) all (pasa) the (hē) region around (perichōros) the (tou) Jordan (Iordanou).
Mat. 3:6 (LIT/UBS4) And (kai) ones causing themselves to confess out (exomologoumenoi) the (tas) sins (hamartias) of them (autōn) were being baptized (ebaptizonto) in (en) the (tō) Jordan (Iordanē) river (potamō) under (hup) [the authority, AE] of him (autou).
Mat. 3:7 (LIT/UBS4) But (de) he having seen (idōn) many (pollous) of the (tōn) Pharisees (Pharisaiōn) and (kai) Sadducees (Saddoukaiōn) causing themselves to come (erchomenous) upon (epi) the (to) baptism (baptisma) of him (autou), he enunciated (eipen) to them (autois), “Ones generated (gennēmata) of vipers (echidnōn), who (tis) showed (hupedeixen) to you (humin) to flee (phugein) from (apo) the (tēs) anger (orgēs) being about (mellousēs) [to come, AE]!?
Mat. 3:8 (LIT/UBS4) Therefore (oun), make (poiēsate) produce (karpon) worthy (axion) of the (tēs) repentance (metanoias).
Mat. 3:9 (LIT/UBS4) And (kai) do not conclude (doxēte mē) to say (legein) in (en) yourselves (heautois), ‘We have (echomen) [a] Father (patera), Abraham (Abraam)!’
Because (gar) I say (legō) to you (humin), that (hoti) the (ho) God (theos) can inherently power himself (dunatai) to awake (egeirai) ones born (tekna) to the (tō) Abraham (Abraam) out (ek) of the (tōn) stones (lithon) of these (touton).
Mat. 3:10 (LIT/UBS4) But (de) already (ēdē) the (hē) axe (axinē) is laid (keitai) to (pros) the (tēn) root (pizan) of the (tōn) trees (dendrōn)!
Therefore (oun), every (pan) tree (dendron) not (mē) making (poioun) beautiful (kalon) produce (karpon) is cut out (ekkoptetai), and (kai) is thrown (balletai) into (eis) [a] fire (pur).
Mat. 3:11 (LIT/UBS4) Truly (men), I (egō) baptize (baptizō) you (humas) in (en) water (hudati), into (eis) repentance (metanoian)!
But (de) the one (ho) causing himself to come (erchomenos) behind (opisō) me (mou) is (estin) [a] stronger one than (ischuroteros) me (mou), of whom (hou) I am absolutely not (ouk eimi) [a] suitable one (hikanos) to carry (bastasai) the (ta) under bindings (hupodēmata)!
He (autos) shall baptize (baptisei) you (humas) in (en) holy (hagiō) Spirit (pneumati), and (kai) fire (puri);
(For what is God’s prophesied true “tent”, his new holy place under his new covenant, the prophesied promise of the Father to place himself into believers to live in them as his new permanent domicile, a true “tent” not built with mortal’s hands but with his own hand, see Ex. 15:17; 2 Sam. 7:5-16; Isa. 8:14; Ezek. 11:16; Joel 2:28-29; Amos 9:11-12; Mat. 3:11, 16:18, 26:61, 27:39-40; Mark 14:58, 15:29; Luke 3:21-22, 24:49; *John 2:19-22, 3:1-, 4:20-24, 7:37-39, 14:2, *23; Acts 1:4-5, 2:16-18, 33, 38-39, *7:44-50, *15:16-18, *17:24, *20:28; *Rom. 8:9-11, 12:4-5; 1 Cor. *3:16-17, *6:19-20, 10:16-17, 12:12-28; *2 Cor. 5:1, *6:16-18; Gal. 3:14, 22; Eph. 1:13-14, 22-23, *2:17-22, 3:6, 4:11-16, 5:30-32; Col. 1:18-27, 2:6-10, 3:15; *1 Thes. 5:9-11; *1 Tim. 3:15; *2 Tim. 1:14; Heb. *3:4-6, 8:2, *9:11-15, *24, 10:21, 36; 1 Pet. 2:4-5; 1 John 4:12-16; Rev. 3:12, 7:15, 11:19, *13:6, *21:3, 22)
(Jesus’ baptism in fire see Joel 2:28-32; Mat. 3:11; 2 Thes. 1:7-9)
Mat. 3:12 (LIT/UBS4) of whom (hou) the (to) winnowing shovel (ptoun) [is] in (en) the (tē) hand (cheiri) of him (autou).
And (kai) he shall thoroughly clean (diakathariei) the (tēn) threshing floor (halōna) of him (autou).
And (kai) he shall bring together (sunaxei) the (ton) grain (siton) of him (autou) into (eis) the (tēn) apothecary (apothēkēn).
But (de) he shall burn down (katakausei) the (to) chaff (achuron) [with, AE] unquenchable (asbestō) fire (puri).”
(For the teachings and ministry of Jesus Christ affecting division among the people of Israel, see Mat. 3:10-12, 10:34-39; Luke 2:34, 3:9, 16-17, 12:49-53; John 7:43, 9:16, 10:19, 15:6; 2 Thes. 1:8-9; Heb. 1:7; and division among the ethnic groups, see 1 Cor. 1:10-11, 11:18-19, 12:25)
(For
more about how ones become
separated from God, paying close attention to associated contexts,
see Mat. 3:11-12, 12:30, 13:24-30, 13:37-43, 13:47-51, 22:1-14,
25:24-46; Luke 3:15-17, 11:23, 16:19-31, 22:31-32; John 11:49-52,
15:1-6; Acts 4:13-21; 2 Cor. 6:16-18; 2 Pet. 2:9; 1 John 4:18; Rev.
16:12-16.)
(For the revealing by fire of those who are and who are not righteous, see Dan. 3; Mat. 3:10-12, 7:19, *13:24-51; Luke 3:9, 16-17, 12:49; John 15:6; Rom. 1:18; *1 Cor. 3:12-15; 2 Thes. 1:7-9; Heb. 10:26-29, 12:18; 1 Pet. 1:5-7; 2 Pet. 3:7-12; Jude 1:5-7; Rev. 8:5-11, 9:13-21; 14:18-20, 16:8-9, 17:16, *18:1-24, 20:7-15)
Mat. 3:13 (LIT/UBS4) Then (tote) the (ho) Jesus (Iēsous) causes himself to become alongside3854 (paraginetai) upon (epi) the (ton) Jordan (Iordanēn), from (apo) the (tēs) Galilee (Galilaias), to (pros) the (ton) John (Iōannēn) of the (tou) [water baptism, v11, RE] to be baptized (baptisthēnai) under (hup) [authority, AE] of him (autou).
Mat. 3:14 (LIT/UBS4) But (de) the (ho) John (Iōannēs) was forbidding him to go through (diekōluen auton) [[a] baptism, v13, RE], saying (legōn), “I (egō) have (echō) need (chreian) to be baptized (baptisthēnai) under (hupo) [authority, AE] of you (sou), and (kai) you (so) cause yourself to come (erchē) to (pros) me (me)!?”
Mat. 3:15 (LIT/UBS4) But (de) the (ho) Jesus (Iēsous) having been caused to make [a] decision (apokritheis), he enunciated (eipen) to (pros) him (auton), “Let [[the] baptism, v13, RE] go (aphes) at this time (arti), because (gar) thusly (houtōs) it is (estin) being conspicuous (prepon) for us (hēmin) to fulfill (plērōsai) all (pasan) righteousness (dikaiosunēn).”
Then (tote) he let go (aphiēsin) of him (auton) [to be baptized, v13, RE].
Mat. 3:16 (LIT/UBS4) But (de) he having been baptized (baptistheis), straightaway (euthus) the (ho) Jesus (Iēsous) stepped up (anebē) from (apo) the (tou) water (hudatos).
And (kai) behold (idou), the (hoi) heavens (ouranoi) were opened up (ēneōchthēsan) to him (autō), and (kai) [Jesus, v16, RE] saw (eiden) the (to) Spirit (pneuma) of the (tou) God (theou) coming down (katabainon) as if (hōsei) [a] dove (peristeran), and (kai) causing itself to come (erchomenon) upon (ep) him (auton)!
Mat. 3:17 (LIT/UBS4) And (kai) behold (idou), [there was, AE] [a] voice (phōnē) out (ek) of the (tou) heavens (ouranōn), saying (legousa), “This one (houtos) is (estin) the (ho) son (huios) of me (mou), the (ho) beloved one (agapētos), in (en) whom (hō) I well-approved (eudokēsa).”
(For who caused himself to become the firstborn son of God, see
2 Sam. 7:14; Psalm 2:7; Jer. 31:33; Ezek. 11:20; Mat. 3:*13-17, 17:5; Mark 1:9-*11, 9:*7; Luke 3:*21-*22; John 1:26-34, 3:1-7; Acts 13:33; Rom. 8:29; Heb. 1:*5, 5:*5, 8:*10, 12:23; 2 Pet. 1:*16-18; Rev. 21:*3, *7.)
(See the notes below for the legacy of accomplishments of “this one”, who caused himself to become (middle/reflexive voice) God's firstborn son. The following is an outline, in somewhat chronological order, of the apparent Christology of the Word/Christ Jesus in the biblical texts.)
- who is first of all things [created, v16, RE] (Col. 1:17)
- who is [the] firstborn [son, v13, RE] of all of creation (Col. 1:15; *Prov. 8:22-31; Heb. 1:6-*13);
- who was the Word (John 1:1-2);
- who caused himself to be hand-chosen before (Acts 3:*20);
- who God used as his agent in the creation of the whole cosmos (John 1:3, 10; Col. 1:16; Heb. 1:2);
- who was sent into the cosmos to do God’s will (Mat. 15:*24; Mark 14:36; Luke 4:18, 43, 22:42; John 3:17, 4:34, 5:30, 6:38-40; *Gal. 4:4a; 1 John 4:9-14);
- who caused himself to become flesh (John 1:*14; Rom. 1:*3; Heb. 2:*16-*17);
- who caused himself to become in the likeness of mortals (Phil. 2:7);
- who caused himself to come to pass out of [a] female (Gal. 4:4b);
- who caused himself to take hold over [a] seed of Abraham (Heb. 2:16);
- who caused himself to become out of the seed of David (Rom. 1:3);
- who caused himself to come to pass under [authority, AE] of the law (Gal. 4:4b);
- who caused himself to become the firstborn son of God (2 Sam. 7:14; Psalm 2:7; Mat. 3:*13-17, 17:5; Mark 1:9-*11, 9:*7; Luke 3:*21-*22; John 1:26-34, 3:1-7; Acts 13:33; Rom. 8:29; Heb. 1:*5, 5:*5, 8:*10, 12:23; 2 Pet. 1:*16-18; Rev. 1:5, 21:*3, *7);
- who caused himself to teach to everyone God's Word (Mark 8:31-32; Eph. 2:17-18);
- who caused himself to become the head of [an] angle (plumb bob?) (Psalm 118:22-23; Mat. 21:42; Mark 12:10-11; Luke 20:17-18; Acts 4:7-12; 1 Pet. 2:*4-8);
- who caused himself to become attentive until death (Phil. 2:8);
- who caused himself to be [a] curse of the law over the sake of us (Gal. 3:13);
- who caused himself to hang upon [a] tree over the sake of us (Gal. 3:13);
- who then said “Yes” to cause himself to shed his own blood for the release of all mortalkind from the penalty of its sin (Mat. 26:28, *39-44; Mark 14:36; Luke 22:20, 42; Eph. 5:*2, *25; 2 Cor. 1:*18-19; Heb. 1:*3, 2:10-*17; Titus 2:*14);
- who shed his own blood to put through [a] new and better covenant between God and mortalkind (Jer. 31:31-34; Mat. 26:28; Luke 22:20; Rom. 11:26-*27; 1 Cor. 11:25; Heb. 7:22, 9:*15-*18, 8:6-13, 10:9, *16-17, 12:24, 13:20);
- who caused himself to taste of death so God's grace could be over everyone (Heb. .2:9 );
- who caused himself to rescue us out of the authority of darkness (Col. 1:13-14);
- who caused himself to make [a] cleansing of the [penalty for the] sins of us (Heb. 1:3b);
- who caused himself to acquire the little flock, the assembly, through his own blood (Acts 20:28);
- who caused himself to become [a] dead one so we could have eternal life (Rev. 1:18a);
- who is the firstborn one out of dead ones (Col. 1:18);
- who caused himself to become [a] so much stronger-positioned one of the messengers (Heb. 1:*4);
- who caused himself to become [a] cause for ageless wholeness for all the ones obeying him (Heb. 5:9);
- who caused himself to become [a] sacrificial high priest of God under the new covenant (Heb. 5:6, 10, 6:*20, 7:*11-8:6, 9:*11, 10:21);
- who caused himself to come to baptize in holy Spirit, and fire (Mat. 3:11; Acts 2:29-33);
- who causes himself to build the new prophesied true “tent” of God, his new domed-roof house (2 Sam. 7:11c-16; Amos 9:11-12; Mat. 26:*61, 27:63; Mark 14:*58; John 2:*19-22; Acts 15:13-18; 2 Cor. 6:16-*18; Eph. 2:19-22; Heb. 8:1-2);
- who came into this cosmos of unbelieving mortals to make believers out of all those who call upon his name, so that he could present those mortals to his heavenly Father as righteous ones, and as beginning offerings (Rom. 11:13-18, 16:5; *1 Cor. 15:20-23, 16:15-16; 2 Thes. 2:13-14; James 1:17-19; Rev. 14:4);
- who caused himself to do all of this to obtain [a] name above all other names except God’s names (Luke 2:21, 24:47; John 1:*11-12, 20:31; Acts 4:12, 29-30; Phil. 2:5-*11; Heb. 1:*4, 1-13; Rev. 3:12, 19:11-13);
- who caused himself to obtain his own throne, the throne of David (Mat. 19:28, 25:31; Luke 1:*32-33; Acts 2:29-33; Heb. 1:6-*13, 8:1-2, 12:2; Rev. 3:21, 7:17, 12:5, 19:*5);
- who caused himself to be seated at the right of his heavenly Father’s throne (Isa. 16:5; Mat. 22:*41-46, 26:*63-64; Mark 12:*35-37, 14:*61-62, 16:19; Luke 20:*41-43, 22:*66-70; Acts 2:33*-35, 5:31, 7:55-56; Rom. 8:34; Eph. 1:20; Col. 3:*1; Heb. 1:*3-*13, 8:1, 10:12-*13, 12:2; 1 Pet. 3:*22).