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 WBS In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, BSB BSB: In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea
2 WBS And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. BSB BSB: and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.”
3 WBS For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye 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 WBS And the same John 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 WBS Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judea, and all the region about Jordan, BSB BSB: People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region around the Jordan.
6 WBS And were baptized by him in Jordan, confessing their sins. BSB BSB: Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.
7 WBS But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said to them, O generation of vipers, who hath 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 WBS Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance: BSB BSB: Produce fruit, then, in keeping with repentance.
9 WBS And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham for our father: for I say to you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children to 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 WBS And now also the ax is laid to the root of the trees: therefore every tree which 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 WBS I indeed baptize you with water to 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 Spirit, 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 WBS Whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly cleanse his floor, and gather his wheat into the granary; but he will burn the chaff 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 WBS Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. BSB BSB: At that time Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John.
14 WBS But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized by 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 WBS And Jesus answering said to him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness. Then he suffered 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 WBS And lo, a voice from heaven, 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!”