1 In the course of time John the Baptist appeared in the desert of Judea and began to proclaim his message,
2 "Change your ways, the Kingdom of heaven is now at hand!"
3 It was about him that the prophet Isaiah had spoken when he said, A voice is shouting in the desert: prepare a way for the Lord; make his paths straight.
4 John had a leather garment around his waist and wore a cloak of camel's hair; his food was locusts and wild honey.
5 People came to him from Jerusalem, from all Judea and from the whole Jordan valley,
6 and they were baptized by him in the Jordan as they confessed their sins.
7 When he saw several Pharisees and Sadduccees coming to where he baptized, he said to them, "Brood of vipers! Who told you that you could escape the punishment that is to come?
8 Let it be seen that you are serious in your conversion,
9 and do not think: We have Abraham for our father. I tell you that God can raise children for Abraham from these stones!
10 The axe is already laid to the roots of the trees; any tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown in the fire.
11 I baptize you in water for a change of heart, but the one who is coming after me is more powerful than me; indeed I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you in the Holy Spirit and fire.
12 He has the winnowing fan in his hand and he will clear out his threshing floor. He will gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn in everlasting fire."
13 At that time Jesus arrived from Galilee and came to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him.
14 But John tried to prevent him, and said, "How is it you come to me: I should be baptized by you!"
15 But Jesus answered him, "Let it be like that for now that we may fulfill the right order." John agreed.
16 As soon as he was baptized, Jesus came up from the water. At once, the heavens opened and he saw the Spirit of God come down like a dove and rest upon him.
17 At the same time a voice from heaven was heard, "This is my Son, the Beloved; he is my Chosen One."
Versículos relacionados com Matthew, 3:
St. Matthew 3 presents the figure of John the Baptist, who came to prepare the way for the coming of Jesus Christ. The chapter describes his ministry in the desert, where he preached repentance and baptism for the remission of sins. John the Baptist is an example of humility and devotion to God, who called the people to repentance and faith. The following verses deal with topics related to this message of repentance and preparation for the arrival of Jesus:
Isaiah 40:3: "Voice of what cries out in the desert: Prepare the way of the Lord; straighten in the wilderness to our God." This verse is quoted in St. Matthew 3:3, when John the Baptist begins to preach in the desert. Isaiah's prophecy announces the arrival of a messenger who would prepare the way for the Lord. John the Baptist fulfills this prophecy in announcing the coming of Jesus Christ.
Ezekiel 18:30: "Therefore, I will judge you, to each one according to His ways, O house of Israel, say the Lord God. stumbling. " This verse highlights the importance of repentance and life change. John the Baptist preached the same message of conversion and repentance, calling the people to turn to God and abandon their sins.
Jeremiah 7:3-4: "Thus saith the Lord of hosts, God of Israel: Amend your ways and your works, and I will make you dwell in this place. You do not trust false words, saying, Temple of the Lord, Temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord is this. " This verse warns the people against empty trust in religion, remembering that God seeks a real change of heart and attitude. John the Baptist preached the same message, calling people to actually repent and to bear fruit in good works.
Matthew 3:8: "I produced fruits worthy of repentance." In this verse, John the Baptist urges the people to produce fruits that show sincere repentance. He was not content with empty religious words or ceremonies, but sought a real change of life in people's hearts.
Luke 3:16: "He [Jesus] shall baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire." This verse refers to Jesus' promise to send the Holy Spirit, who would baptize believers in his name. John the Baptist, in preparing the way to Jesus, anticipated this promise and announced that baptism with the Holy Spirit would be one of the marks of the coming of the Messiah.
Poglavlja: