Matthew 3

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Matthew 3:3

For this is he that was spoken of through Isaiah the prophet, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make ye ready the way of the Lord, Make his paths straight.The passage here quoted is Isaiah 40:3, but Isaiah is not the only prophet who prophesied of the mission of the great herald of the gospel age. Another equally significant prophecy is Malachi 4:5,6 in which the office and work of the herald are explicitly foretold. It is from Christ himself that one learns this passage's... read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Matthew 3:4

Now John himself had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his food was locusts and wild honey.John had evidently been schooled in the knowledge that he was to be another Elijah, and he promptly adopted the type of dress that would identify him as "Elijah." In 2 Kings 1:8, Elijah's garb is mentioned, especially the leather girdle. This type of clothing was worn by the prophet for another reason, and that was as a protest against the luxury of the ruling classes... read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Matthew 3:5

Then went out unto him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan; And they were baptized of him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.All Judaea ...; Matthew 3:5 is hyperbole in which there is an intentional exaggeration for the sake of emphasis. There are many figures of speech in the Holy Scriptures, and a proper understanding of them is necessary to a true understanding of God's word. There are other figures which shall be noted in this chapter. Matthew 3:5 merely... read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Matthew 3:7

But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said unto them, Ye offspring of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?Pharisees ... were a very wealthy, zealous, and powerful sect among the Jews. They were proud, conceited, worldly, and vigilant enemies of our Lord; and yet they were the leaders among the ancient Jews and doubtless had many fine and commendable qualities which tend to be obscured by the fact that they opposed the work of Christ.... read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Matthew 3:8

Bring forth therefore fruit worthy of repentance: and think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.Fruit worthy of repentance ... suggests the true relationship between repentance and reformation of life. Reformation of life is not repentance but issues forth from repentance and is a direct result or "fruit" of repentance. That repentance cannot be reformation of life is seen in the words... read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Matthew 3:10

And even now the axe lieth at the root of the trees: every tree therefore that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.Axe ... root of the trees This is a bold metaphor, here directed against the Jewish nation, but applicable with equal force against all sinful and rebellious people who reject God's will. The "axe" is the army of destruction God would send against Jerusalem. "The root of the trees" refers to those great national institutions, the root and springs of... read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Matthew 3:11

I indeed baptize you in water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: He shall baptize you in the Holy Spirit and in fire.Seven baptisms are mentioned in the New Testament, three of which are mentioned in this verse. They are:1. The baptism unto Moses (1 Corinthians 10:2). 2. The baptism of sufferings (Mark 10:38,39). 3. The baptism for the dead (1 Corinthians 15:29). 4. The baptism of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 3:11, see above). 5.... read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Matthew 3:12

Whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly cleanse his threshingfloor; and he will gather his wheat into the garner, but the chaff he will burn up with unquenchable fire.Whose fan is in his hand, etc. ... Note the following analogies in this remarkable metaphor: the fan is the judgment; the wheat refers to the just; the chaff stands for the wicked; the fire is the Gehenna in which the wicked shall perish; the threshingfloor is Palestine or the world; the one with the winnowing fan in his... read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Matthew 3:13

Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to the Jordan unto John to be baptized of him.Matthew Henry saw in the baptism of our Lord a mark of his wonderful humility. He said, "As soon as ever Christ began to preach, he preached humility, preached it by his example; designated for the highest honors; yet, in his first step, he thus abases himself."[6">Matthew 3:17.">[6]With reference to WHY Christ was baptized, it should be noted that he was not baptized for the remission of sins (Hebrews 4:15), nor... read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Matthew 3:14

But John would have hindered him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?This testimony of John the Baptist to the sinless nature of Christ is doubly effective because he was a cousin of our Lord. From the intimacy of the family circle, the testimony of Jesus' perfect life was attested, no less than from his public deeds. John preached the "baptism of repentance for the remission of sins"; and since Christ had no sins of which to repent, and as John did not know of... read more

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Matthew 3:3

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Matthew 3:4

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Matthew 3:5

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Matthew 3:7

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Matthew 3:8

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Matthew 3:10

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Matthew 3:11

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Matthew 3:12

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Matthew 3:13

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Matthew 3:14

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