Matthew 3:1-4:11

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Matthew 3:1-2

John appeared "in those days" (Matthew 3:1). This phrase is a general term that says little about specific time but identifies what follows as historical. It is a common transitional statement in Matthew’s narrative. [Note: Robertson, p. 708.] John’s ministry, as Matthew described it here, occurred just before the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry, approximately 30 years after the events of chapter 2."John" became a popular name among the Jews following the heroic career of John Hyrcanus... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Matthew 3:1-11

D. The King’s preparation 3:1-4:11Matthew passed over Jesus’ childhood quickly to relate His preparation for presentation to Israel as her King."The material of this section of the Gospel is particularly important since the baptism of Jesus serves as the occasion of his special anointing by the Holy Spirit for the ministry that follows, but it is also Christologically significant in that his divine Sonship is confirmed and the non-triumphalist nature of the present phase of that Sonship is... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Matthew 3:1-12

1. Jesus’ forerunner 3:1-12 (cf. Mark 1:2-8; Luke 3:3-18)It was common when Jesus lived for forerunners to precede important individuals to prepare the way for their arrival. For example, when a king would visit a town in his realm his emissaries would go before him to announce his visit. They would make sure the town was in good condition to receive him. Sometimes his servants even had to do minor roadwork to smooth the highway the king would take as he approached his destination. [Note:... read more

John Darby

Darby's Synopsis of the New Testament - Matthew 3:1

3:1 Judaea, (e-14) See Joshua 15:61 . read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 3:1-17

Appearance of the Baptist. Baptism of Jesus1-12. John the Baptist’s ministry. The circumstances of John’s birth are detailed in Luke 1 (see notes there). He was sanctified from birth to be the forerunner of the Messiah (Luke 1:13-17, Luke 1:76.), and received a special revelation to enable him to recognise the Expected One when He appeared (John 1:33). His mother Elisabeth was a cousin of the virgin, and he was born about six months before Jesus. Knowing what his work in life was to be, he... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Matthew 3:1

III.(1) John the Baptist.—For the birth and early life of the forerunner of the Christ, see Notes on. Luke 1:0. The manner in which he is mentioned here shows that his name was already well known to all readers of the Gospel. So, in like manner, Josephus names him as popularly known by the same title (Ant. xviii. 5, § 2), and describes his work as that of a preacher of repentance in nearly the same terms as St. Matthew. The symbolism of ablution as the outward sign of inward purification was,... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Matthew 3:1-17

The Preaching of the Baptist Matthew 3:1 And what did he preach? This chapter in St. Matthew's Gospel tells us pretty plainly what was the burden of his message. I. He Spoke Plainly About Sin. He taught the absolute necessity of 'repentance' before anyone can be saved; he preached that repentance must be proved by its 'fruits'; he warned men not to rest on outward privileges, or outward union with the Church. This is just the teaching that we all need. II. He Spoke Plainly About our Lord... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Matthew 3:1-12

Chapter 3His Herald - Matthew 3:1-12THIRTY years have gone since all Jerusalem was in trouble at the rumour of Messiah’s birth. But as nothing has been heard of Him since, the excitement has passed away. Those who were troubled about it are aging or old or dead; so no one thinks or speaks of it now. There have been several political changes since, mostly for the worse. Judea is now a province of Rome, governed by procurators, of whom the sixth, called Pontius Pilate, has just entered on his... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Matthew 3:1-17

3. The Herald of the King; the Entrance upon His Public Ministry. 1. The Herald of the King. (Matthew 3:1-6 .) 2. His Message and His Baptism. (Matthew 3:7-12 .) 3. The King in Jordan's Waters. (Matthew 3:13-17 .) CHAPTER 3 The third chapter relates the ministry of the herald of the King, who announces that the kingdom of the heavens has drawn nigh, and the presence of the King Himself, who is to come after him; the baptism of the King, who comes from Galilee to the Jordan to John, and... read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - Matthew 3:1

3:1 In {a} those days came {1} John the Baptist, preaching in the {b} wilderness of Judaea,(a) Not when Joseph went to dwell at Nazareth, but a great while after, about fifteen years: for in the 30th year of his life Jesus was baptized by John: therefore "those days" means the time when Jesus remained as an inhabitant of the town of Nazareth.(1) John, who through his singular holiness and rare austerity of life caused men to cast their eyes on him, prepares the way for Christ who is following... read more

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