Thematic Bible

Matthew 3:1

In those days John the Baptist came on the scene, preaching in the desert of Judaea,

Matthew 3:2

"Repent, the Reign of heaven is near."

Matthew 3:3

(This was the man spoken of by the prophet Isaiah: The voice of one who cries in the desert, 'Make the way ready for the Lord, level the paths for him.')

Matthew 3:4

This John had his clothes made of camel's hair, with a leather girdle round his loins; his food was locusts and wild honey.

Matthew 3:5

Then Jerusalem and the whole of Judaea and all the Jordan-district went out to him

Matthew 3:6

and got baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins.

Matthew 3:7

But when he noticed a number of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for his baptism, he said to them, "You brood of vipers, who told you to flee from the coming Wrath?

Matthew 3:8

Now, produce fruit that answers to your repentance,

Matthew 3:9

instead of presuming to say to yourselves, 'We have a father in Abraham.' I tell you, God can raise up children for Abraham from these stones!

Matthew 3:10

The axe is lying all ready at the root of the trees; any tree that is not producing good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.

Matthew 3:11

I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier, and I am not fit even to carry his sandals; he will baptize you with the holy Spirit and fire.

Matthew 3:12

His winnowing-fan is in his hand, he will clean out his threshing-floor, his wheat he will gather into the granary, but the straw he will burn with fire unquenchable."

Matthew 3:13

Then Jesus came on the scene from Galilee, to get baptized by John at the Jordan.

Matthew 3:14

John tried to prevent him; "I need to get baptized by you," he said, "and you come to me!"

Matthew 3:15

But Jesus answered him, "Come now, this is how we should fulfil all our duty to God." Then John gave in to him.

Matthew 3:16

Now when Jesus had been baptized, the moment he rose out of the water, the heavens opened and he saw the Spirit of God coming down like a dove upon him.

Matthew 3:17

And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, the Beloved, in him is my delight."