Matthew 3 Matthew 3
Birth and preparation of the King
The Mission of John the Baptist (Isaiah 40:1–5; Mark 1:1–8; Luke 3:1–20; John 1:19–28)
1 RV And in those days cometh John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, BSB BSB: In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea
2 RV saying, Repent ye; for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. BSB BSB: and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.”
3 RV For this is he that was spoken of by Isaiah the prophet, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make ye ready the way of the Lord, Make his paths straight. BSB BSB: 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.’”
4 RV Now John himself had his raiment of camel’s hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his food was locusts and wild honey. BSB BSB: John wore a garment of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey.
5 RV Then went out unto him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan; BSB BSB: People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region around the Jordan.
6 RV and they were baptized of him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. BSB BSB: Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.
7 RV But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said unto them, Ye offspring of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? BSB BSB: 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?
8 RV Bring forth therefore fruit worthy of repentance: BSB BSB: Produce fruit, then, in keeping with repentance.
9 RV and think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. BSB BSB: 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.
10 RV And even now is the axe laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefore that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. BSB BSB: 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.
11 RV I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire: BSB BSB: 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.
12 RV whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly cleanse his threshing-floor; and he will gather his wheat into the garner, but the chaff he will burn up with unquenchable fire. BSB BSB: 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.”
The Baptism of Jesus (Mark 1:9–11; Luke 3:21–22; John 1:29–34)
13 RV Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to the Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. BSB BSB: At that time Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John.
14 RV But John would have hindered him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? BSB BSB: But John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?”
15 RV But Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it now: for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness. Then he suffereth him. BSB BSB: “Let it be so now,” Jesus replied. “It is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness in this way.” Then John permitted Him.
17 RV and lo, a voice out of the heavens, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. BSB BSB: And a voice from heaven said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased!”