Matthew 3:1–17 - BibleStudy.ph

These are the original teaching notes from this passage.

Review…
- Immanuel…
  - While still BETROTHED – a young woman named Mary was pregnant of the Holy Spirit…
  - An Angel of the Lord came to her husband Joseph in a DREAM…
  - The child to be born was to be called JESUS – because He would save us from our SINS…
  - All of this happened according to the PLAN of God – spoken by the prophet – Isaiah 7:14
  - The Virgin will give birth – the child will be called IMMANUEL – God with us!
- Birth of Jesus…
  - After these things [Matthew does not record the birth of Jesus]
  - Wise men [μάγος] came to WORSHIP the new King of the Jews [three gifts]
  - But when Herod [the great] heard about Jesus – he sought to KILL him…
  - Joseph was warned in a dream – and fled with his family to Egypt…
  - After the death of Herod – they returned – but settled in Nazareth!
1^st – John the Baptist… vs. 1-6
- 1^st – Who was John… vs. 1
  - 28 Years…
    - In those days John the Baptist came!
    - The Gospel of Matthew picks up almost 28 years later – Luke 3:23
    - Jumping from the return of Jesus to Nazareth – to the start of His public ministry…
    - It began with a man called John the Baptist – one of the KEY men in the Story of Jesus!
  - Cousin of Jesus – Luke 1:13-17
    - John was the son of Zachariah [priest] and Elizabeth [relative of Mary]
    - They were UNABLE to have children – and were VERY old – Luke 1:7
    - But an angel appeared to Zechariah in the Temple – Elizabeth would have a son called John…
    - JOHN [יוֹחָנָן] – meaning the LORD [יְהוָה] is GRACIOUS [חָנַן]
    - He would be a NAZARITE from birth [no alcohol] – set apart to serve the Lord – Numbers 6:2
  - Filled with the Spirit…
    - Luke 1:15 – “[John was] filled with the Holy Spirit – even from his mother’s womb.”
    - After Mary found out she was carrying Jesus – she went to see Elizabeth…
    - When Elizabeth heard Mary John leapt in her womb – filled with the Spirit– Luke 1:41
    - There is a great deal of controversy today over when life begins…
    - The Bible removed all question – makes it very clear – life begins at conception!
    - Psalms 139:15-16 – “You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. You saw me before I was born.” [NLT]
  - Prophet Elijah…
    - Malachi 4:5 – “I will send Elijah the prophet before the… great and dreadful day of the LORD.”
    - The very last verse of the Old Testament promised the return of Elijah…
    - Elijah was one of only TWO men in the OT who never died [chariot of fire] – II Kings 2:11
    - Elijah will return and prepare the hearts of the people to receive the Messiah…
    - John the Baptist would deny he was Elijah – John 1:21
    - But Jesus would confirm John was Elijah to those who BELIEVE – Matthew 11:14
    - To UNBELIEVERS – Elijah will return as one of the TWO witnesses – Revelation 11:3
- 2^nd – His message… vs. 2
  - Preaching…
    - Preaching in the wilderness of Judea!
    - The Judean wilderness extends all the way from Jerusalem eastward to the Jordan River…
    - It is a barren desert wasteland – with very rain or vegetation – or PEOPLE…
    - The only source of water is the Jordan river that flows through it into the Dead Sea…
    - It was here that John began PREACHING [κηρύσσω] his message!
    - PREACHING [κηρύσσω] is not the same as TEACHING [διδάσκω]
    - The emphasis on PREACHING is declaring the TRUTH…
    - The emphasis on TEACHING is explaining the TRUTH!
  - Repent…
    - Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!
    - The MESSAGE of John was simple – people need to REPENT…
    - REPENT [μετανοέω] – to think about our sins [νοέω] – and CHANGE our ways…
    - And to do so while there was still time – because the Kingdom of heaven is CLOSE!
    - Sadly the message of REPENTANCE has been neglected by the church in recent years…
    - While it is TRUE that God does accept SINNERS – he does NOT accept SIN…
    - The KEY to receiving Jesus – is seeing our need to CHANGE!
- 3^rd – His Purpose… vs. 3
  - For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah. The voice of one crying in the wilderness.
  - Prepare the way of the LORD. Make His paths straight!
  - The PURPOSE of John – according to the prophet Isaiah – Isaiah 40:3
  - Was to prepare the way for the coming of the LORD [יְהוָה]
  - He prepared the hearts of the people to receive Jesus – by telling them to REPENT…
  - So that the LORD could bring comfort to His people – by forgiving their SINS!
  - Isaiah 40:1-2 – “Comfort My people… that her iniquity is pardoned.”
  - God gave us the most incredible GIFT – He DIED so that we could LIVE – John 3:16
  - What is amazing – is that MOST of the world does NOT want His GIFT!
  - The problem is most people do NOT want to admit they are SINNERS…
  - But if we do NOT admit the PROBLEM – we will NOT see our need for the SOLUTION…
  - Jesus [יְהוָה] came to take away our SIN – but FIRST we need to prepare our hearts and REPENT!
- 4^th – His appearance… vs. 4
  - Now John himself was clothed in camels hair – with a leather belt around his waist.
  - And his food was locusts and wild honey!
  - The clothing of John was a direct connection to Elijah…
  - Who was also described as HARRY [camel] – with a leather belt – II Kings 1:8
  - The food of John ate was based on a KOSHER diet – honey and locusts [protein] – Leviticus 11:22
  - Put together it spoke of a man who lived SIMPLY – desiring to follow the commands of God!
  - That does NOT mean we have to wear camel hair and eat locusts…
  - It does mean we realize it is NOT about the outside – it is about the inside…
  - We should NOT be putting on a fashion show – drawing attention to ourselves…
  - We should want instead people to see what is on the inside – let them see Jesus in us!
  - I Timothy 2:9 – “Be modest in appearance… wear decent and appropriate clothing and not draw attention… by the way [we] fix [our] hair or by wearing gold… or expensive clothes.” [NLT]
- 5^th – His audience… vs. 5
  - Then Jerusalem – all Judea – and all the region around the Jordan went out to him!
  - Multitudes continually [imperfect] came from ALL [πᾶς] over to see John…
  - But WHY did so many people want to come see some guy preaching in the wilderness…
  - It was the very question Jesus would ask them the multitudes!
  - Luke 7:24 – “What did you go out into the wilderness to see?”
  - Malachi was the LAST of the prophets from the Old Testament…
  - God had been silent – He had not spoken to His people – for FOUR hundred years…
  - Which is why when John spoke – a prophet of God – everyone came – Luke 7:26
  - They were willing to walk for days – into the desert – just to hear the Word of the LORD!
  - We live in unprecedented times – with access to the Word of God like no other generation…
  - Not only do we have church – we have online teachings – Bibles on our phones…
  - The question is do we have the DESIRE – to we make the time to hear the WORD!
- 6^th – His Baptism… vs. 6
  - Unclean…
    - [They] were baptized by him in the Jordan – confessing their sins!
    - John BAPTIZED the people that came in WATER – as they CONFESSED their sins…
    - He used the picture of needing a BATH – so show people they were spiritually DIRTY!
    - Water baptism was common even back in the Old Testament among the Jews…
    - They would use MIKVEH [מקווה‎] to become ceremonially clean!
    - If someone never takes a bath – they might think they are OK – but in truth they STINK…
    - If we refuse to tell them – confront them – they go on smelling BAD…
    - In the same way we need to confront SIN – let people know they are UNCLEAN…
    - Let them know they are SINNER – so they see their need for a SAVIOR!
  - When …
    - There is some debate within Christianity over WHEN someone is baptized…
    - John was NOT baptizing INFANTS – these were ADULTS!
    - BAPTISM is about CHOOSING to REPENT and letting God make us CLEAN…
    - An INFANT cannot CHOSE – therefore baptism is for those old enough to DECIDE!
  - How…
    - There is also a debate over HOW to baptize – sprinkle or dunk…
    - BAPTISM [βαπτίζω] literally means to be fully immersed!
    - The poet Nicander [200 B.C.] wrote down a recipe for making pickles…
    - You BAPTIZE [βαπτίζω] the cucumber – and it comes out changed – a PICKLE!
    - I love the picture – when we are BAPTIZED [βαπτίζω] – we go in a SINNER…
    - But we come out something different [pickled] – we come out a SAINT!
  - Picture…
    - We are commanded as believers to be water BAPTIZED – Acts 2:38
    - But water BAPTISM does not save us – the thief on the cross – Luke 23:43
    - Neither does BAPTISM make us part of a denomination…
    - BAPTISM is a picture of what happens when we believe in Jesus!
    - Romans 6:4 – “We were buried with Him through baptism into death – that just as Christ was raised from the dead… even so we also should walk in newness of life.”
    - If we have a diploma – the paper does not give us any more knowledge…
    - But the paper represents the time and effort that went into earning that diploma!
    - Water baptism is the OUTWARD statement of what takes place WITHIN us…
    - We are BURIED with Jesus – taken under the water – a picture of our DEATH…
    - We are RAISED up with Jesus – taken out of the water – a picture of new LIFE…
    - We do it publicly so that everyone can see – we believe in Jesus – Romans 10:10
2^nd – Religious Leaders… vs. 7-12
- 1^st – Vipers… vs. 7
  - Two Groups…
    - When he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism.
    - Not everyone who came to John was there to be BAPTIZED…
    - There were TWO groups who came to SEE what John was doing!
    - Pharisees – a conservative SECT of Judaism created after the Babylonian Captivity…
    - Sadducees – a liberal SECT of Judaism who did NOT believe in the supernatural…
    - These TWO groups DISAGREED on almost everything – unless it challenged their POWER…
    - And the large crowds coming to see John – was just such a THREAT!
  - Warning…
    - He said to them – Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
    - Generation [from] of VIPERS – a title both John and Jesus used– Matthew 23:33
    - Connecting them to their TRUE father – the SERPENT [satan] – John 8:44
    - They taught empty RELIGION – that KEPT people from a true relationship with God…
    - Therefore – John warned people to flee from them – because of the COMING [present] wrath!
    - Mathew 23:13 – “Woe to you… Pharisees – hypocrites! You shut up the kingdom of heaven to men. For you neither go in yourselves – nor do you allow those who are entering to go in.”
    - We live in a country where many are hardened towards the Gospel…
    - Because they have been indoctrinated in a lifetime of RELIGION…
    - And they need to be WARNED – their RELIGION will not save them from the coming WRATH!
- 2^nd – Empty Religion… vs. 8-10
  - Good Fruit… vs. 8
    - Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance!
    - John would challenge RELIGION in THREE ways…
    - FIRST – he called on them to examine their FRUIT…
    - Just because they went it the water – it was NOT enough!
    - Just because we have been BAPTIZED – does not mean we have REPENTED…
    - Our lives after we BELIEVE in Jesus should be DIFFERENT – there should be good FRUIT!
    - II Corinthians 13:5 – “Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves – that Jesus Christ is in you.”
  - Stones… vs. 9
    - Do not think to say to yourselves – We have Abraham as our father.
    - For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones!
    - SECOND – John warned them NOT to put their FAITH in their NATIONALITY…
    - Some Jews believed because Abraham was their FATHER – they were SAVED…
    - But God could make ROCKS children of Abraham – and ROCKS are not going to heaven!
    - Just because someone is born in the Philippines – does not make them a Christian…
    - Just because someone belongs to a church – does not make them a Christian…
    - It does not matter if our parents are Christians – even if they are a pastor [sorry Hallel]
    - Everyone has to CHOSE for themselves – God does not have grandkids!
  - The Fire… vs. 10
    - Even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees.
    - Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire!
    - THIRD – John warned of the DANGER of NOT bearing GOOD [καλός] fruit…
    - The AX was already [present] on the root of the tree [religion]
    - If God did not see GOOD fruit – He would chop it down – and throw it into the fire!
    - John 15:6 – “If anyone does not abide in Me – he is cast out as a branch and is withered. They gather them and throw them into the fire – and they are burned.”
    - Those who are RELIGIOUS – people who just go through the motions [even baptism]
    - Anyone who thinks they are a Christian by birth – or church membership
    - But are not ABIDING in Jesus – if there is no good FRUIT – then they are NOT saved…
    - And the consequence for NOT being saved – is ending up in the FIRE [hell]
- 3^rd – Baptism of the Spirit… vs. 11
  - External…
    - I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance!
    - John was LIMITED to water BAPTISM – it could only change the EXTERNAL…
    - It was an outward confession made to show someone had REPENTED!
  - Internal
    - He who is coming after me is mightier than I – whose sandals I am not worthy to carry.
    - He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire!
    - John knew someone MIGHTIER than him was coming…
    - A person so great he did was NOT even worthy to carry His shoes…
    - This person [Jesus] – would BAPTIZE in the Holy Spirit – setting us on FIRE for God!
    - It is one thing to ADMIT we are SINNERS [baptism] – but how do we STOP sinning…
    - Not one makes us SIN – we SIN because we want to – Romans 7:15
    - And we do NOT have the POWER to be able to change our desires…
    - But God can – His SPIRIT can transform us INTERNALLY – change our DESIRES…
    - Jesus can FILL us – OVERFLOW [ἐπί] us – BAPTIZE us in the Spirit – all we have to do is ASK!
    - Luke 11:13 -“Your heavenly Father [will] give the Holy Spirit to those who ask…”
- 4^th – The Harvest… vs. 12
  - The Wheat…
    - His winnowing fan is in His hand – and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor.
    - [He will] gather His wheat into the barn!
    - John concluded by stating God had already started His HARVEST – His fan was in His hand…
    - And he would separate all men into either piles of WHEAT or CHAFF!
    - In biblical times the way to separate what from chaff – was with WIND [fan]
    - The chaff was lighter and would be carried farther than the wheat…
    - Because much like when rice when it is first harvested – it is not ready to be cooked…
    - The rice stalk needs to be dehusked – to separate the labhang [chaff] from the bugas [wheat]!
    - God uses this LIFE to separate us into two piles – we either chose to be WHEAT…
    - And He will gather them into His BARN – take them to Heaven!
    - II Timothy 2:19 – “Having this seal: The Lord knows those who are His. Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.”
  - The Chaff…
    - He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire!
    - Those who do NOT chose to REPENT – will be counted as CHAFF…
    - They are gathered together – and thrown into the unquenchable [ἄσβεστος] FIRE!
    - Mark 9:43 – “Hell… the fire that shall never be quenched [ἄσβεστος].”
    - There is only ONE alternate eternal destination for men…
    - Those who do not end up in HEAVEN [wheat] – will be burned forever in HELL [chaff]
3^rd – Baptism of Jesus… vs. 13-17
- 1^st – Unworthy… vs. 13-15
  - Baptism… vs. 13
    - Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him!
    - This is one of only handful of events in the life of Jesus – recorded in all FOUR Gospels…
    - We do NOT know how long [weeks – months] John was preaching before Jesus came…
    - But when the time was RIGHT – it was Jesus turn to be BAPTIZED!
  - Argument… vs. 14
    - John tried to prevent Him – saying – I need to be baptized by You – and are You coming to me?
    - At first John REFUSED [imperfect] to baptize Jesus…
    - He recognized Jesus as being the one who should do the BAPTIZING!
  - Righteousness… vs. 15
    - But Jesus answered and said to him – Permit it to be so now.
    - For thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness. Then he allowed Him!
    - Jesus commanded [imperative] John to Baptize Him…
    - Not because John was wrong – Jesus was the greater [He is God]
    - But the BAPTISM needed to happen to fulfill ALL [πᾶς] righteousness!
    - The purpose of BAPTISM – is to confess our SINS – desire to be CLEAN…
    - Why then would Jesus need to be BAPTIZED – He had NO sin!
    - I Peter 2:21 – “Christ… [left] us an example – that you should follow His steps.”
    - Everything Jesus did – was meant to be a PATTERN for our lives to follow…
    - That is why Jesus came to the earth as a CHILD [born]
    - He was called out of the world [Egypt] – to live separate for God [Nazarite]
    - And when the time came – He was water Baptized – as He began His ministry…
    - Because in every way – we can look to Jesus – and know how we also are to walk!
- 2^nd – Trinity… vs. 16-17
  - The Son… vs. 16
    - When He had been baptized – Jesus came up immediately from the water…
    - Behold – the heavens were opened to [John]!
    - Something miraculous happened at the Baptism of Jesus…
    - The moment Jesus out of the water – the heavens opened [clouds parted] for John [dative]
  - Holy Spirit… vs. 16
    - [John] saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon [Jesus]!
    - Jesus was filled [ἐπί] with the Spirit – at His Baptism…
    - This was the confirmation John was looking for – that Jesus was the SON of God!
    - John 1:33 – “[God] told me – The one on whom you see the Spirit descend and rest is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirt… [He is] the Son of God.” [NLT]
  - The Father… vs. 17
    - [Behold] a voice came from heaven – This is My beloved Son in whom I am well pleased!
    - The FINAL evidence was the VOICE that came from heaven…
    - The FATHER declared Jesus was His SON – and He was PLEASED [εὐδοκέω] in Him…
    - God was PLEASED because Jesus was willing to be the SACRIFICE to save us…
    - Because the dilemma was – God was NOT pleased by any other sacrifice!
    - Hebrews 10:6 – “In… sacrifices for sin You had no pleasure [εὐδοκέω].”
    - As Jesus went under the water [death] – and came back up [new life]
    - His Baptism foreshadowing the HOPE that He would bring through the cross…
    - Do not miss WHO was there to CONFIRM His calling and purpose…
    - All THREE persons of the Godhead [Trinity] – as Jesus officially began His Ministry!