[1] In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, [2] And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. [3] For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
Verse 1 Expanded Bible Comments
| In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, | |
|---|---|
| Question | Answer |
| When did John the Baptist start preaching in the wilderness? | "In those days" when all were in expectation of Messiah. |
| When specifically did this take place (i.e. what was the date)? | 29 A.D. |
| Where did he preach? | In the wilderness of Judea. |
Verse 2 Expanded Bible Comments
| And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. | |
|---|---|
| Question | Answer |
| What was his message? | Repentance. |
| How does John's message of repentance relate to the Day of Atonement for the Jews? | Individual personal repentance. |
| What does this mean? | This meant that the Gospel Age was about to begin. This meant that "the man Christ Jesus" was about to come, give his life as a ransom for all, be raised to the Divine Nature, present the value of His sacrifice to the Father and thus allow for the His disciples to exchange their earthly restitution privileges for the opportunity to run the race for the prize (divine nature) of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. |
Verse 3 Expanded Bible Comments
| For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. | |
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| Question | Answer |
| Where do we find this prophecy? | Isa. 40:3 |
| Of whom is the prophecy speaking? | It is speaking of John the Baptist as an antitype of Elijah. |
| Is there a deeper significance to this prophecy? - If so, what? | It is speaking of the true church as the true antitype of Elijah. |
| What is "the wilderness?" | It pictures separateness from the world. |
| What is "the voice of one crying in the wilderness?" | The message of Truth being proclaimed (the voice) is not being done by the "mainstream" but by the church, mainly separate from society as a whole. Consider Isa. 52:8 as an example of "the voice." [Not "their voices" but "the voice."] |
| What is meant by "Prepare ye the way of the Lord?" | Preparing the people for the Lord. This is done by telling others of the coming Kingdom of God and of the call of the true church. |
| What is meant by "Make his paths straight?" - i.e., how does "Make his paths straight" differ from "Prepare ye the way of the Lord?" | Making his paths straight means to make it easier to travel that path. They were familiar with this especially in their day because they had the example of the Romans who built roads throughout their domains. These roads made travel between cities much easier. The thought here is that John would make the way of the Lord easier by attempting to live up to his mission as the partial fulfillment of the Elijah type. "He shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers." Mal. 4:6 All that was true of John the Baptist has also been true of the true church throughout the Gospel Age. |
[4] And the same John had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey. [5] Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan, [6] And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins. [7] But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? [8] Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance: [9] 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. [10] And now also the ax is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. [11] I indeed baptize you with 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 with the Holy Spirit, and with fire: [12] Whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.
Verse 4 Expanded Bible Comments
| And the same John had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey. | |
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| Question | Answer |
| Are there lessons for us to learn from what John wore? | Simplicity of attire. Do not get caught up in "fashion" nor in the trends of the day. Remember modesty. |
| Are there lessons for us to learn from what John ate? | "Those who have consecrated their time and energy and influence to the Lord, and to the service of the Truth, will do well for their spiritual interests to be on guard against the fashions and follies of this world in these matters; and whether they eat or drink, or whatsoever they do or wear, that all may be done to the glory of the Lord--with a view to their own greatest usefulness in the divine service and in the service of the household of faith." R3292 |
Verse 5 Expanded Bible Comments
| Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan, | |
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| Question | Answer |
| Who went to see John? | Primarily the Jews, although there is recorded at least one exception. Luke 3:14 |
Verse 6 Expanded Bible Comments
| And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins. | |
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| Question | Answer |
| For what purpose did these people come to John? | To be baptized. R5963 |
| What did John do? | He baptized them. |
| What did the people do? | They confessed their sins. |
Verse 7 Expanded Bible Comments
| But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? | |
|---|---|
| Question | Answer |
| Whom did John see among his visitors? | The Parisees and Sadducees. |
| Why did John single them out? | Because, despite their outward professions of piety, they were deceiving the people (and probably themselves as well.) |
| What did he mean by referring to them as a "generation of vipers?" | Because of the venom of their hypocritical practices in claiming to keep the Law (which they could not) and telling the common people they needed to do the same. |
| What was he indicating by "the wrath to come?" | The destruction of Jerusalem by Titus' army in 70 A.D. |
Verse 8 Expanded Bible Comments
| Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance: | |
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| Question | Answer |
| Why would John instruct the scribes and pharisees to bring forth fruits? - Just what did he mean? | Fruits or evidence that they had a change of heart. As an indication of their heart condition consider Matt. 23:1-4 (esp vs 4.) |
Verse 9 Expanded Bible Comments
| 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. | |
|---|---|
| Question | Answer |
| Who was inclined to say "We have Abraham to our father?" | The Jews, but especially the Pharisees and Sadducees - the chief religious leaders. |
| Of what importance was it to being a descendent of Abraham? | The promise to bless all the families of the earth was given to him and his descendents. |
| What did John's say regarding Abraham's lineage and what did he mean? | That God could create a Abraham's seed from anything, even the stones. There may be additional significance in this when we consider our Lord's words in Luke 19:40. See also the Apostle Peter's remarks that the church are living stones (1 Pet. 2:5) and Pastor Russell's comment concerning the stones of the Great Pyramid - C375:2. |
Verse 10 Expanded Bible Comments
| And now also the ax is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. | |
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| Question | Answer |
| If "the ax is laid to the root of the trees," what is about to happen? | The tree is about to be cut down |
| Is John really speaking about trees? What is his meaning? | He was speaking of the nation of Israel. - This is a clue to us for Matt. 24:32; Luke 21:29 |
Verse 11 Expanded Bible Comments
| I indeed baptize you with 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 with the Holy Spirit, and with fire: | |
|---|---|
| Question | Answer |
| What was the purpose of John's baptism? | Repentance from sin. This was to prepare the way for Messiah. |
| What was the relationship between John and the one to come after him? | He was the forerunner who was announcing the coming of Messiah. In the natural sence John was the cousin of Jesus. |
| Is there any significance to John's usage of the phrase "whose shoes I am not worthy to bear?" | In addition to the shoe being considered the lowest of clothing items (being under foot) it may have also been symbolic of the fact that it represented walking the narrow way. |
| What type of baptism will He (Jesus) perform? | The baptism of the Holy Spirit, which is received upon entrance into the body of Christ. Also there was the baptism of fire, destruction upon Jerusalem in 70 A.D., the fire of God's anger. |
Verse 12 Expanded Bible Comments
| Whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire. | |
|---|---|
| Question | Answer |
| What is the "fan" of which John speaks? Is it like our modern fan, used to create a localized breeze in order to cool down on a hot day? | The proper translation is "winnowing fork." |
| Why would he clean his floor? What is John talking about? | This too is a translation issue. What is referred to is the "threshing-floor." |
| What is the significance of gathering the wheat into the garner? | The garner (or barn) is where the wheat is stored so that it will not be scattered by the wind or passing animals, etc. |
| What is the chaff? | The husk part of the wheat. |
| What is the significance of the chaff being burned? | The chaff is not the wheat. Since the wheat represents the church class the significance is the destruction of that which is not wheat. |
[13] Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. [14] But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? [15] And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him. [16] And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: [17] And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
Verse 13, 14 Expanded Bible Comments
| Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. [14] But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? | |
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| Question | Answer |
| Who next came to John for baptism? | Jesus |
| What was John's reaction? | That Jesus was more righteous and that John needed to be baptized by Jesus, not the other way around. |
| What does John's reaction tell us about the relationship between the two men? | That while John may not have been sure at that time that Jesus was the Messiah, he certainly knew that Jesus was John's superior. We might add that as John pictures the church in the flesh, this is our reaction too. We must recognize that Jesus is our superior. |
Verse 15 Expanded Bible Comments
| And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him. | |
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| Question | Answer |
| How did the baptism of Jesus by John "fulfil all righteousness?" | Luke 12:50; Mark 10:39; Col. 3:3; Psa. 133:1-3; R679 |
Verse 16 Expanded Bible Comments
| And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: | |
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| Question | Answer |
| What is meant by "the heavens were opened unto him?" | We suggest that it primarily means that the spiritual things were opened to His understanding. |
| Was there a physical sign? | A dove landed upon Him. |
| What did this picture? | The dove has been a universal sign for peace for many years. |
| Is there anything in this verse that pertains to us? | Clearly the opening of our minds to be able to receive the spiritual blessings now. This comes to us after we have made our consecration. Please see Mal. 3:10 and note that the tithe is a picture of our consecration. The heavens opened to Jesus and He was begotten of the Holy Spirit of understanding. The same is true with us. |
Verse 17 Expanded Bible Comments
| And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. | |
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| Question | Answer |
| Where did the voice come from? | Heaven. |
| What did it say? | See Luke 3:22 - Remarkable rejected reading (WH) "My son art thou, I this day have begotten thee." - Roth |
| What is the obvious conclusion as to who was speaking? | The Almighty God, Jehovah. |