In those days, John the Baptizer came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, saying, (2) “Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!” (Matthew 3:1-2)
Setting: This book was written 20 to 40 years after the death and resurrection of Jesus by Matthew a follower of Jesus. Matthew recounts the Baptism of our Lord, Jesus Christ.
In verse 1, John the Baptist was preaching “the kingdom of heaven has come near”. By the end of this chapter, we will see this prophesy fulfilled.
In verse 2, what reason does John give as to why the people should repent? 
What do you think it means “to repent”?
(3) For this is he who was spoken of by Isaiah the prophet, saying, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness, make ready the way of the Lord. Make his paths straight.” (Matthew 3:3 WEB)
In the Old Testament, Isaiah the prophet, made the prophesy we read in verse 3. Isaiah’s ministry was about 700 years before the birth of Jesus Christ.
If John the Baptist is “the voice” in verse 3, what is his purpose as described in Isaiah’s prophecy?
Now John himself wore clothing made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. (5) Then people from Jerusalem, all of Judea, and all the region around the Jordan went out to him. (6) They were baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins. Matthew 3:4-6 WEB
- Describe John’s Clothing.
- What food did John consume?
What do you think your initial thoughts would be, if a neighbor explained to you about what he saw when he attended one of John the Baptist’s gatherings? 
But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for his baptism, he said to them, “You offspring of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? (8) Therefore produce fruit worthy of repentance! Matthew 3:7-8 WEB
In Israel, the common people were under several heavy burdens. One came from the Romans who extracted large sums of money through taxation. The other came from the Jewish religious rulers who also demanded a form of taxation, as well as a strict requirement to follow the Law of the old testament as “they” interpreted it to mean.
Do you think John the Baptist held the Pharisees and Sadducees in high regard?
What might John the Baptist mean by “Produce fruit in keeping with repentance”?
If they weren’t producing fruit, what might you infer?
John continued:
Don’t think to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham for our father,’ for I tell you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones. (10) “Even now the ax lies at the root of the trees. Therefore every tree that doesn’t produce good fruit is cut down, and cast into the fire. Matthew 3:9-10 WEB
The religious leaders were counting on their lineage. They thought their “blood lines” which could be traced back to Abraham, gave them some sort of special spirituality.
Why do you think John the Baptist was telling them this was faulty reasoning?
I indeed baptize you in water for repentance, but he who comes after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you in the Holy Spirit. (12) His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will thoroughly cleanse his threshing floor. He will gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn up with unquenchable fire.” Matthew 3:11-12 WEB
What “substance” does John say he is using for doing baptisms?
John says someone “more powerful” is coming after him. John is referring to Jesus.
What does John say the One “more powerful” than he will baptize with?
We will review Baptism with the Holy Spirit in a subsequent study. The idea of Baptism with fire probably means those who don’t respond to the calling of the Holy Spirit will be under judgment before God, for the sins they have committed.
Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. (14) But John would have hindered him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and you come to me?” (15) But Jesus, answering, said to him, “Allow it now, for this is the fitting way for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he allowed him. Matthew 3:13-15 WEB
Why does John the Baptist question the request Jesus makes of John to baptize Him?
If you were in John’s place, why would this seem out of order?
Jesus, when he was baptized, went up directly from the water: and behold, the heavens were opened to him. He saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove, and coming on him. (17) Behold, a voice out of the heavens said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” Matthew 3:16-17 WEB
In these 2 verses, we see or hear from the three unique persons of the Trinity.
Jesus is present in bodily form. If we were a part of that audience, we could have seen and touched Him.
- How was the Holy Spirit represented?
- How was the Father represented?
In verse 14, we see John the Baptist humble himself before Jesus. Do you think John realized he was in the presence of the promised Messiah?
What impact would this have on you if you witnessed this event? 
Bible verses used here are from the World English Bible (WEB) unless indicated differently. The World English Bible is a Public Domain (no copyright) Modern English translation. That means you may make PDF copies of this lesson. This version is based on the American Standard Version of the Holy Bible first published in 1901.
Types of Questions:
Observation Interpretation
Application
If you have the Quest Study Bible:
On page 1414, in the left column read: “What does it mean to be baptized with the Holy Spirit and with fire?”
On page 1414, review “How can we understand the Trinity?” on the bottom of the page.
In the dictionary, on page 1848, you can read a brief description about Abraham, and why he is held in such high regard by Christians and Jews.
