Matthew Chapter 3

– Ἐν δὲ ταῖς ἡμέραις ἐκείναις παραγίνεται Ἰωάννης ὁ βαπτιστὴς κηρύσσων (En de tais hēmerais ekeinais paraginetai Iōannēs ho baptistēs kēryssōn): “In those days John the Baptist came preaching.” Present participle κηρύσσων (kēryssōn) emphasizes ongoing proclamation; παραγίνεται (paraginetai) “arrives/comes.” Modernized from KJV “came preaching” for flow. Theologically, links to messianic preparation, “those days” tying to Chapter 2’s events. Cross-reference: Mark 1:4 (parallel ministry start). – μετανοεῖτε ἤγγικεν γὰρ ἡ βασιλεία τῶν οὐρανῶν (metanoeite ēngiken gar hē basileia tōn ouranōn): “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Present imperative μετανοεῖτε (metanoeite) for urgent call; perfect ἤγγικεν (ēngiken) “has drawn near.” “Kingdom of heaven” Matthew’s idiom (vs. “God” elsewhere), emphasizing divine rule. Theologically, repentance as mindset change for eschatological kingdom. Alternative: “change your minds” for μετανοεῖτε. Cross-reference: Isaiah 40:3 (quoted in v.3). – Φωνὴ βοῶντος ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ Ἑτοιμάσατε τὴν ὁδὸν κυρίου (Phōnē boōntos en tē erēmō Hetoimasate tēn hodon kyriou): “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord.’” Quote from Isaiah 40:3 (LXX); imperative ἑτοιμάσατε (hetoimasate). Capitalized “Lord,” “His” as divine. Theologically, John as forerunner fulfilling prophecy. Cross-reference: Malachi 3:1 (messenger prepares way). – αὐτὸς δὲ ὁ Ἰωάννης εἶχεν τὸ ἔνδυμα αὐτοῦ ἀπὸ τριχῶν καμήλου (autos de ho Iōannēs eichen to endyma autou apo trichōn kamēlou): “John himself was clothed in camel’s hair.” Imperfect εἶχεν (eichen) descriptive; ascetic attire echoes Elijah. Theologically, prophetic austerity. Cross-reference: 2 Kings 1:8 (Elijah’s garb). – ἐβαπτίζοντο ἐν τῷ Ἰορδάνῃ ὑπ᾽ αὐτοῦ ἐξομολογούμενοι τὰς ἁμαρτίας αὐτῶν (ebaptizonto en tō Iordanē hyp’ autou exomologoumenoi tas hamartias autōn): “Were baptized… confessing their sins.” Imperfect ἐβαπτίζοντο (ebaptizonto) ongoing; present participle ἐξομολογούμενοι (exomologoumenoi). Baptism as immersion symbolizing repentance. Theologically, preparatory for Messiah. Cross-reference: Acts 19:4 (John’s baptism of repentance).

– Ἰδὼν δὲ πολλοὺς τῶν Φαρισαίων καὶ Σαδδουκαίων ἐρχομένους ἐπὶ τὸ βάπτισμα αὐτοῦ (Idōn de pollous tōn Pharisaiōn kai Saddoukaiōn erchomenous epi to baptisma autou): “When he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism.” Present participle ἐρχομένους (erchomenous); groups as religious elites. Theologically, confronts hypocrisy. Cross-reference: Luke 3:7 (similar address to crowds). – Γεννήματα ἐχιδνῶν τίς ὑπέδειξεν ὑμῖν φυγεῖν ἀπὸ τῆς μελλούσης ὀργῆς (Genēmata echidnōn tis hypedeixen hymin phygein apo tēs mellousēs orgēs): “Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?” Vocative γεννήματα ἐχιδνῶν (genēmata echidnōn) metaphorical insult; future participle μελλούσης (mellousēs) impending. Modernized “brood” from KJV. Theologically, eschatological judgment. Alternative: “offspring of snakes.” Cross-reference: Matthew 12:34 (Jesus uses similar). – Ποιήσατε οὖν καρπὸν ἄξιον τῆς μετανοίας (Poiēsate oun karpon axion tēs metanoias): “Bear fruits worthy of repentance.” Aorist imperative ποιήσατε (poiēsate); singular καρπόν (karpon) but plural “fruits” for idiom. Theologically, true repentance shows in actions. Cross-reference: Galatians 5:22 (fruit of Spirit). – μὴ δόξητε λέγειν ἐν ἑαυτοῖς Πατέρα ἔχομεν τὸν Ἀβραάμ (mē doxēte legein en heautois Patera echomen ton Abraam): “Do not think to say within yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’” Aorist subjunctive δόξητε (doxēte) prohibitive; reliance on heritage critiqued. Theologically, election not automatic. Cross-reference: John 8:39 (Abraham’s children do works). – ἤδη δὲ ἡ ἀξίνη πρὸς τὴν ῥίζαν τῶν δένδρων κεῖται (ēdei de hē axinē pros tēn rhizan tōn dendrōn keitai): “The ax is laid to the root of the trees.” Present κεῖται (keitai) imminent; metaphor for judgment. Theologically, unproductive cut off. Cross-reference: Luke 13:7-9 (fig tree parable).

– Ἐγὼ μὲν ὑμᾶς βαπτίζω ἐν ὕδατι εἰς μετάνοιαν (Egō men hymas baptizō en hydati eis metanoian): “I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance.” Particle μέν (men) contrastive; preposition εἰς (eis) purpose. Theologically, John’s baptism preparatory. Cross-reference: Acts 1:5 (Spirit baptism). – ὁ δὲ ὀπίσω μου ἐρχόμενος ἰσχυρότερός μού ἐστιν (ho de opisō mou erchomenos ischyroteros mou estin): “He who is coming after me is mightier than I.” Present participle ἐρχόμενος (erchomenos); comparative ἰσχυρότερός (ischyroteros). Capitalized “He,” “His” for Messiah. Theologically, superiority of Christ. Alternative: “stronger than I.” Cross-reference: John 1:15 (one coming after). – βαπτίσει ὑμᾶς ἐν πνεύματι ἁγίῳ καὶ πυρί (baptisei hymas en pneumati hagiō kai pyri): “He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” Future βαπτίσει (baptisei); ἐν (en) instrumental. Capitalized “Holy Spirit.” Theologically, Pentecostal outpouring and judgment. Cross-reference: Acts 2:3-4 (tongues of fire). – οὗ τὸ πτύον ἐν τῇ χειρὶ αὐτοῦ καὶ διακαθαριεῖ τὴν ἅλωνα αὐτοῦ (hou to ptyon en tē cheiri autou kai diakathariei tēn halōna autou): “His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor.” Future διακαθαριεῖ (diakathariei) purification; agricultural metaphor. Theologically, separation of righteous/wicked. Cross-reference: Isaiah 30:24 (winnowing tools).

– Τότε παραγίνεται ὁ Ἰησοῦς ἀπὸ τῆς Γαλιλαίας ἐπὶ τὸν Ἰορδάνην πρὸς τὸν Ἰωάννην τοῦ βαπτισθῆναι ὑπ᾽ αὐτοῦ (Tote paraginetai ho Iēsous apo tēs Galilaias epi ton Iordanēn pros ton Iōannēn tou baptisthēnai hyp’ autou): “Then Jesus came… to be baptized by him.” Present παραγίνεται (paraginetai); infinitive τοῦ βαπτισθῆναι (tou baptisthēnai) purpose. Theologically, Jesus’ initiative in solidarity with sinners. Cross-reference: Mark 1:9 (parallel). – ὁ δὲ Ἰωάννης διεκώλυεν αὐτὸν λέγων (ho de Iōannēs diekōlyen auton legōn): “John tried to prevent Him.” Imperfect διεκώλυεν (diekōlyen) attempted action. John’s humility recognizes superiority. Capitalized “Him,” “You.” Theologically, highlights Jesus’ authority. Alternative: “forbade” modernized to “prevent.” Cross-reference: John 3:30 (He must increase). – ἀποκριθεὶς δὲ ὁ Ἰησοῦς εἶπεν πρὸς αὐτόν Ἄφες ἄρτι οὕτως γὰρ πρέπον ἐστὶν ἡμῖν πληρῶσαι πᾶσαν δικαιοσύνην (apokritheis de ho Iēsous eipen pros auton Aphes arti houtōs gar prepon estin hēmin plērōsai pasan dikaiosynēn): “Jesus answered… ‘Permit it to be so now… to fulfill all righteousness.’” Aorist participle ἀποκριθείς (apokritheis); imperative ἄφες (aphes) “allow.” “Righteousness” as covenant fidelity. Theologically, Jesus identifies with humanity, fulfilling God’s will. Cross-reference: Hebrews 2:17 (merciful high priest). – βαπτισθεὶς δὲ ὁ Ἰησοῦς ἀνέβη εὐθὺς ἀπὸ τοῦ ὕδατος (baptistheis de ho Iēsous anebē euthys apo tou hydatos): “When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water.” Aorist passive participle βαπτισθείς (baptistheis); ἀνέβη (anebē) “ascended.” Theologically, immersion implied. Cross-reference: Acts 8:38-39 (going down/up from water). – ἰδοὺ ἀνεῴχθησαν οἱ οὐρανοί καὶ εἶδεν τὸ πνεῦμα τοῦ θεοῦ καταβαῖνον ὡσεὶ περιστερὰν ἐρχόμενον ἐπ᾽ αὐτόν (idou aneōchthēsan hoi ouranoi kai eiden to pneuma tou theou katabainon hōsei peristeran erchomenon ep’ auton): “Behold, the heavens were opened… Spirit of God descending like a dove.” Aorist passive ἀνεῴχθησαν (aneōchthēsan); present participle καταβαῖνον (katabainon). Capitalized “Spirit,” “He.” Theologically, Trinitarian revelation. Cross-reference: Isaiah 11:2 (Spirit rests on Messiah). – καὶ ἰδοὺ φωνὴ ἐκ τῶν οὐρανῶν λέγουσα Οὗτός ἐστιν ὁ υἱός μου ὁ ἀγαπητός ἐν ᾧ εὐδόκησα (kai idou phōnē ek tōn ouranōn legousa Houtos estin ho huios mou ho agapētos en hō eudokēsa): “A voice… ‘This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.’” Present λέγουσα (legousa); aorist εὐδόκησα (eudokēsa) “took delight.” Capitalized “My,” “Son,” “I.” Theologically, divine affirmation of sonship. Cross-reference: Psalm 2:7; Isaiah 42:1 (beloved servant).