Matthew 3

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 3:16

Out of the water - This shows that he had descended to the river. It literally means, “he went up directly from the water.” The original does not imply that they had descended into the river, and it cannot be proved, therefore, from this passage, that his baptism was by immersion; nor can it be proved that even, if his baptism was by immersion, that therefore the same mode is binding on people now. In order to demonstrate from this passage that immersion is essential, it is necessary to... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 3:17

A voice from heaven - A voice from God. This was probably heard by all who were present. This voice, or sound, was repeated on the mount of transfiguration, Matthew 17:5; Luke 9:35-36; 2 Peter 1:17. It was also heard just before his death, and was then supposed by many to be thunder, John 12:25-30. It was a public declaration that Jesus was the Messiah.My beloved Son - This is the title which God himself gave to Jesus. It denotes the nearness of his relation to God, and the love of God for him,... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 3

A.M. 4030. A.D. 26. This chapter exhibits, (1,) The life and doctrine of John the Baptist, the forerunner of Christ; his baptizing multitudes, and solemn calling to them to repent and receive the Messiah, who was about to be manifested, Matthew 3:1-12 . (2,) The baptism of Jesus by John at Jordan, and the solemn attestation of his person by the Holy Ghost and the Father, Matthew 3:13-17 . read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 3:1

Matthew 3:1. In those days That is, in those years. For, as these events happened near thirty years after those recorded in the former chapter, this phrase is to be taken, in a very extensive sense, for that age of which he had spoken in the preceding words. And it is here used with the greater propriety, because John did indeed appear in his public character while Christ continued to dwell at Nazareth, which was the event that Matthew had last mentioned. Christ was now about thirty years... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 3:2

Matthew 3:2. Repent ye, &c. Be sorry for your sins, and amend your lives; for the original word, μετανοειτε , here used, implies this. It properly signifies, says Beza, to be wise after the action, and so to grieve for a fault committed as to amend it, which, in Latin, is properly expressed by resipiscere. In this respect it differs from another Greek word, which the evangelists sometimes use, viz., μεταμελομαι , which simply signifies to be distressed, and anxious after any... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 3:3

Matthew 3:3. For this is he, &c. These may be the words of John himself, (comp. John 1:22-23,) but it is more likely that they are the words of the evangelists; spoken of by the Prophet Esaias, saying, The voice, &c. Isaiah, in the passage referred to, Isaiah 40:3, &c., is to be understood as speaking first, though not principally, concerning the Jews returning from the Babylonish captivity, as appears from the preceding chapter. As, however, the prophet intended, under the... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 3:4

Matthew 3:4. And the same John The following description of John is added, that it might appear he did not live in obscurity, but was sufficiently known to all: had his raiment of camel’s hair Not, as some have supposed, a camel’s skin, raw and undressed, but a kind of sackcloth, coarse and rough, made of the raw long hair of camels, and not of their fine and soft hair, dressed and spun into thread. The difference between these two is as great as that between flax rude or unprepared, and... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 3:5

Matthew 3:5. Then went out to him Jerusalem That is, the citizens of it, famed as they were for wisdom and virtue: and all Judea, &c. The preacher being described, the evangelist proceeds to tell us what auditors he had. All sorts and ranks of persons, and the generality of the people there, flocked to hear him. The uncommon circumstances of John’s public appearance could scarcely fail to awaken the attention of the people to his person and ministry, which would be yet more excited by... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 3:6

Matthew 3:6. And were baptized of him in Jordan Namely, those that were awakened to repentance. It has been questioned by many, whether John baptized these immense multitudes by dipping them in Jordan? In answer to which it has been observed, “that such prodigious numbers could hardly be baptized by immerging their whole bodies under water: nor can we think they were provided with change of raiment for it, which was scarce practicable for such vast multitudes. And yet they could not be... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 3:7

Matthew 3:7. When he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees, &c. These are not names of office, but of sects, or sorts of persons of different opinions in matters of religion. There were three religious sects among the Jews, the Pharisees, Sadducees, and Essenes. Of the latter, indeed, we read nothing in the Holy Scriptures. We shall only, therefore, observe concerning them, that their way of life was very singular. They did not marry, but adopted the children of others, whom they... read more

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 3:16

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 3:17

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 3

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 3:1

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 3:2

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 3:3

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 3:4

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 3:5

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 3:6

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 3:7

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