Matthew 3:8-17

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Matthew 3:7-12

The doctrine John preached was that of repentance, in consideration of the kingdom of heaven being at hand; now here we have the use of that doctrine. Application is the life of preaching, so it was of John's preaching. Observe, 1. To whom he applied it; to the Pharisees and Sadducees that came to his baptism, Matt. 3:7. To others he thought it enough to say, Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand; but when he saw these Pharisees and Sadducees come about him, he found it necessary to... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Matthew 3:13-17

Our Lord Jesus, from his childhood till now, when he was almost thirty years of age, had lain hid in Galilee, as it were, buried alive; but now, after a long and dark night, behold, the Sun of righteousness rises in glory. The fulness of time was come that Christ should enter upon his prophetical office; and he chooses to do it, not at Jerusalem (though it is probable that he went thither at the three yearly feasts, as others did), but there where John was baptizing; for to him resorted those... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Matthew 3:7-12

3:7-12 When he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, "Brood of vipers! Who put it into your minds to flee from the coming wrath? Produce fruit to fit repentance. Do not think that you can say to yourselves. 'We have Abraham as a father.' For I tell you that God can raise up children to Abraham from these stones. The axe is already applied to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not produce good fruit is on the point of being cut... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Matthew 3:7-12

But after John's threat there came the promise--which had also a threat within it. As we have said, John pointed beyond himself to the one who was to come. At the moment he was enjoying a vast reputation, and he was wielding a most powerful influence. Yet he said that he was not fit to carry the sandals of the one who was to come-and to carry sandals was the duty of a slave. John's whole attitude was self-obliteration, not self-importance. His only importance was, as he saw it, as a signpost... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Matthew 3:7-12

There is a word and a picture in John's message which combine both promise and threat. John says that the baptism of the one who is to come will be with fire. In the thought of a baptism with fire there are three ideas. (i) There is the idea of illumination. The blaze of a flame sends a light through the night and illuminates the darkest corners. The flame of the beacon guides the sailor to the harbour and the traveller to his goal. In fire there is light and guidance. Jesus is the beacon... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Matthew 3:7-12

In all John's preaching there was one basic demand--and that basic demand was: "Repent!" ( Matthew 3:2 ). That was also the basic demand of Jesus himself, for Jesus came saying, "Repent, and believe in the gospel" ( Mark 1:15 ). We will do well to seek to understand what this repentance is, and what this basic demand of the King and his herald means. It is to be noted that both Jesus and John use the word repent without any explanation of its meaning. They use it as a word which they... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Matthew 3:7-12

There is an almost terrifying note in the ethical demand of the Jewish idea of repentance, but there are other comforting things. Repentance is always available. "Repentance." they said, "is like the sea--a man can bathe in it at any hour." There may be times when even the gates of prayer are shut; but the gates of repentance are never closed. Repentance is completely essential. There is a story of a kind of argument that Abraham had with God. Abraham said to God, "Thou canst not lay... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Matthew 3:13-17

3:13-17 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John to be baptized by him. But John tried to prevent him. "It is I," he said, "who need to be baptized by you, and are you coming to me?" Jesus answered him, "Let it be just now, for so it befits us to fulfil all righteousness." Then he allowed Jesus to be baptized. After Jesus had been baptized he came up immediately from the water and, lo, the heavens were opened for John, and he saw the Spirit of God descending, like a dove, and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 3:8

Bring forth therefore fruits ,.... That is, if you are truly penitent, if you have a proper sense of sin, and true repentance for it, do such works as are suitable to it, and will show the genuineness of it; for fruits meet for repentance are the same as "works meet for repentance", Acts 26:20 and as a tree is known by its fruit, so repentance is known by good works; these are the fruits and effects of repentance, and which are proofs with men of the sincerity of it. Those which follow... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 3:9

And think not to say within yourselves ,.... John knew the sentiments of their minds, and the prevailing opinion they had given into, against which he cautions them; as, that because they were Abraham's seed, they were in a state of salvation, in the favour of God, and had a right to all privileges and ordinances: this they trusted in, and boasted of, and would often think of it within themselves, pleasing themselves with the thoughts of it, and speak of it to others; we have Abraham for... read more

Group of Brands