Matthew 3:11-12

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 3:11

Verse 11 The three Evangelists relate the Baptist’s discourse in the same words. In one respect, Luke’s account is more full: for he opens it by explaining the occasion on which this discourse was delivered. It arose from the people being in danger of being led, by a false opinion, to convey to him the honor which was due to Christ. To remove, as soon as possible, every occasion of such a mistake, he expressly declares, that he is not the Christ, and draws such a distinction between Christ and... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 3:12

Verse 12 12.Whose winnowing-fan is in his hand In the former verse, John preached concerning the grace of Christ, that the Jews might yield themselves to him to be renewed: now he discourses of judgment, that he may strike despisers with terror. As there are always many hypocrites who proudly reject the grace of Christ offered to them, it is also necessary to denounce the judgment that awaits them. For this reason John here describes Christ as a severe judge against unbelievers. And this is an... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 3:1-12

THE HERALD . His public appearance and proclamation ( Matthew 3:1 , Matthew 3:2 ), as foretold by Scripture ( Matthew 3:3 ). His Elijah-like dress ( Matthew 3:4 ). He is listened to by multitudes ( Matthew 3:5 , Matthew 3:6 ). His faithful warning to typical Jews, and his pointing not to himself, but to the Coming One ( Matthew 3:7-12 ). The date at which he appeared is stated, in Luke 3:1 , to have been "in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar; i.e. ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 3:1-12

The forerunner. I. HIS ANNOUNCEMENT . 1 . His sudden appearance. It is the first mention of John the Baptist in St. Matthew's Gospel. He flashes upon us suddenly, like his prototype Elijah in the Old Testament. St. Luke tells us of his birth, of his solitary life: he "was in the deserts till the day of his showing unto Israel." Now the time was come. "In those days," St. Matthew says, while the Lord was still at Nazareth, living a family life with brethren and sisters—the children,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 3:1-12

The forerunner. I. JOHN 'S APPEARANCE AND CHARACTER . He claimed to belong to the old prophetic line by appearing clad in the prophetic garb, the single rough garment of skin. His manner of life harmonized with his dress; leaving the comfortable home and well-provided life and fair prospects of a priestly family, he adopted the meagre, comfortless life of an ascetic. To entangle himself with the world would have tended to blind him to its vices and silence his remonstrance. He... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 3:1-15

The appearance of John the Baptist. The interval between the last verse of the second chapter and the first verse of this chapter measures the period of the life of Christ stretching from his earliest childhood to his entrance on his public ministry, or close thereupon. Meantime we are here brought to the time when appeared one of the most distinctly marked, most honoured, characters of all history. John the baptist, son of Zacharias and Elisabeth, was the child of prophecy. He was one of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 3:5-12

Religious revival. When the Baptist opened his commission the Jewish nation was in a woeful state of degeneracy. In connection with his ministry there was a remarkable revival of religion. This may be viewed as a specimen of revivals of religion in general. I. IT WAS A SEASON OF FAITHFUL PREACHING . 1 . Christ was prominent in the sermon. 2 . It insisted upon essential things. "Heart's sorrow, And a clear life ensuing." Those are not true penitents who... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 3:7-12

The faithful warning. (Parallel passage: Luke 3:7-9 , Luke 3:16 , Luke 3:17 .) Observe that this is before the baptism of our Lord, while the witness in John 1:19-27 is after. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 3:11

(Cf, especially John 1:27 ; Acts 13:25 ; also Acts 19:4 .) After our Matthew 3:10 St. Luke inserts details of the various kinds of fruit that repentance ought to produce, suggested by the questions of different portions of the Baptist's audience; and then, with an explanatory note that John's words were due to a misconception having arisen that he was himself the Messiah, he adds what we have in verses 11, 12. But even if verses 10-12 were, in fact, not said consecutively, yet their... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 3:11

The two baptisms. John here contrasts himself and his work with Christ and the work of Christ. We cannot but be struck with the humility and the discernment of the Baptist. Thus he reveals himself as true to his mission; he is but the forerunner, preparing the way of the Lord. I. THE CONTRAST BETWEEN THE ADMINISTRATORS . John was regarded as the great prophet of his day; yet he considered himself to be infinitely inferior to the coming Christ. Wherein were the great differences... read more

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