| Scripture |
Additional Comments |
| |
|
| 1 Now in those days comes John the baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, |
|
| 2 and saying, Repent, for the kingdom of the heavens has drawn nigh. |
|
| 3 For this is he who has been spoken of through Esaias the prophet, saying, Voice of him that crieth in the wilderness: prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight his paths. |
|
| |
|
| 4 And John himself had his garment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins, and his nourishment was locusts and wild honey. |
|
| 5 Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the country round the Jordan, |
|
| 6 and were baptised by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins. |
|
| 7 But seeing many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, Offspring of vipers, who has forewarned you to flee from the coming wrath? |
|
| 8 Produce therefore fruit worthy of repentance. |
|
| 9 And do not think to say within yourselves, We have Abraham for our father; for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children to Abraham. |
|
| 10 And already the axe is applied to the root of the trees; every tree therefore not producing good fruit is cut down and cast into the fire. |
|
| 11 *I* indeed baptise you with water to repentance, but he that comes after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not fit to bear; *he* shall baptise you with the Holy Spirit and fire; |
|
| 12 whose winnowing fan is in his hand, and he shall thoroughly purge his threshing-floor, and shall gather his wheat into the garner, but the chaff he will burn with fire unquenchable. |
Fan – "Winnowing fork" - Strong's 4425 (Darby, ISV, Weymouth, NASB)
His floor – His threshing floor. This is where the stalks of wheat was broken up to where the wheat and chaff were separated from the stalk.
Unquenchable fire – The Greek word "unquenchable" here (according to the Wescott and Hort text) is "asbestos." |
| |
|
| 13 Then comes Jesus from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptised of him; |
|
| 14 but John urgently forbad him, saying, *I* have need to be baptised of thee; and comest *thou* to me? |
|
| 15 But Jesus answering said to him, Suffer it now; for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness.
Then he suffers him. |
|
| 16 And Jesus, having been baptised, went up straightway from the water, and lo, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove, and coming upon him: |
The heavens were opened unto him – The knowledge of Spiritual things. This is the same phrase used to describe what takes place with the followers of the Lord when they make full consecration of themselves to Him. see Mal. 3:10
Matthew 5:19
Shall break one of these least commandments – Rotherham translates this as: "shall relax one of these commandments, the least.."
Matthew 5:22
Without a cause – These words are not found in the oldest Greek MSS. This makes our Lord's words even more searching. This then suggests that if we are angry with our brother, even if there be a legitimate cause, we are placing ourselves in danger.
Raca – Worthless one.G4469
ῥακά
rhaka
rhak-ah'
Of Chaldee origin (compare [H7386]); O empty one, that is, thou worthless (as a term of utter vilification): - Raca.
Matthew 5:23
Therefore – Because, as just described, the standard is not what you do outwardly but rather what is in your heart (Prov. 23:7) ..
Matthew 5:39
Smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also – Apparently quoting from Lam. 3:30. |
| 17 and behold, a voice out of the heavens saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I have found my delight. |
|