Matthew 3

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 3:8

Matthew 3:8. Bring forth, therefore, fruits meet for repentance That is, a change of temper and behaviour, answerable thereto; forsake, as well as confess, your sins, and let the integrity, regularity, holiness, and usefulness of your lives, manifest the sincerity of your repentance. It is a metaphor taken from trees, which discover what quality they are of by the fruits they bear; in allusion to which, pious men are called trees of righteousness, Isaiah 61:3; and their works, fruits... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 3:9

Matthew 3:9. And think not to say Or, as the words, μη δοξητε λεγειν , rather signify, Presume not to say, or, Say not confidently, within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father As if he had said, Being called upon to bring forth fruits meet for repentance, begin not to obstruct the efficacy of the admonition with those thoughts which are so common among you, that you are secure from wrath by being the children of Abraham. It is almost incredible how great the presumption of the... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 3:10

Matthew 3:10. And now, also, the axe, &c. To enforce his exhortation, he informs them that they had no time to delay their repentance, because the patience of God was very near exhausted, and come to an end with respect to them. His judgments were at hand and ready to be inflicted, so that, if they continued unfruitful, notwithstanding the extraordinary means that were now to be tried with them, destruction would speedily overtake them; as if he had said, God now once more offers you... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 3:11

Matthew 3:11. I indeed baptize you with water I call you to repentance: and admit the penitent to the baptism of water, as a sign and token of their being washed from their past sins, and of their engaging to walk henceforward in newness of life. He answers the question put to him, John 1:19; John 1:25, by the priests and Levites sent from Jerusalem. But he that cometh after me That succeeds me in preaching and baptizing, is mightier than I Is endued with unspeakably greater authority... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 3:12

Matthew 3:12. Whose fan is in his hand That is, the doctrine of the gospel, which is of such a nature as effectually discovers what is the real disposition of the hearts of men, and perfectly distinguishes between the hypocritical and the sincere. Perhaps, also, the Baptist might refer to the persecutions and tribulations which should attend the preaching of the gospel. Dr. Campbell renders the original expression, το πτυον , winnowing shovel, mentioned Isaiah 30:24, “an implement of... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 3:13

Matthew 3:13. Then cometh Jesus Who was now about thirty years of age, from Galilee Where he had long lived, in a retired manner, unto John, to be baptized of him Not in testimony of his repentance, or for the remission of sins, for, being without sin, he neither needed repentance nor remission; but that he might honour John’s ministry, and acknowledge his commission to baptize, and might confirm the institution of baptism by water. He thus, also, offered himself to receive that... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 3:14

Matthew 3:14. But John forbade him Out of modesty he would have declined the service, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee To receive a larger measure of the gifts and graces of the Holy Spirit from thee, and comest thou to me on such an occasion as this? It has been questioned, how John knew him to be the Christ, before the Spirit descended on him? But this question will be easily resolved, if it be considered that John was a prophet filled with the Holy Ghost from his mother’s... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 3:15

Matthew 3:15. Suffer it to be so now In this my state of humiliation: For thus By this appearance in the form of a sinner, and stooping to thee, my inferior; it becomes us Me, and my disciples according to my example, to fulfil all righteousness To do whatsoever is just, fit, and requisite in our circumstances. Or, it becometh every messenger of God, and even every follower of mine, to observe every divine appointment, and to honour every divine ordinance. I therefore offer myself to... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 3:16

Matthew 3:16. And Jesus, when he was baptized, &c. Hereby he was, 1st, installed into his ministerial office, as the priests were by washing, Exodus 29:4; Leviticus 8:6; Leviticus 2:0 d, engaged solemnly in the same military work with us against sin and Satan; 3d, admitted a member of the gospel Church, as he was before of the Jewish, by circumcision; 4th, he was baptized as a public person, the Head of his Church, in whom, and by virtue of whose baptism, all his members are baptized... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 3:17

Matthew 3:17. And lo! As a further token of the divine regard to Christ, and of the glorious dignity of his person, a voice from heaven, saying, to John, concerning Christ, This is my beloved Son, and to Christ himself, Thou art my beloved Son, Luke 3:22. For it is not improbable that both sentences were pronounced; the voice uttering the words, Thou art my beloved Son, &c. while the Spirit was descending, as if they had been directed to Jesus alone, in answer to his prayer; and,... read more

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 3:8

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 3:9

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 3:10

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 3:11

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 3:12

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 3:13

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 3:14

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 3:15

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 3:16

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 3:17

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