King James Version

The Book of Matthew

Return to Index Henry's Commentary
1 In those days came 1John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,
2 And saying, Repent ye: for the 1kingdom of heaven is at hand.
3 For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, 1The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
1 Isa 40:3 Mark 1:3, Luke 1:17, 76, 3:4, John 1:23
4 And the same John had his 1raiment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was 2locusts and wild honey.
5 Then 1went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan,
6 And were 1baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.
7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O ageneration of 1vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the bwrath to come?
8 Bring forth therefore 1fruits meet for repentance:
9 And think not to say within yourselves, We have 1Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.
10 And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is 1hewn down, and cast into the fire.
11 I indeed baptize you with 1water 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 2fire:
12 Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and 1gather his wheat into the garner; but he will 2burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.
13 Then cometh 1Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him.
14 But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?
15 And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to 1fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.
16 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and 1lighting upon him:
17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved 1Son, in whom I am well pleased.
Notes on Chapter 3
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7 (a) generation = offspring (b) "the wrath to come" Mal 4:1 Matt 3:7 Luke 3:7 1st Thess 1:10, 2:16
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