3Matthew 3

The Preaching of John the Baptist

1At that time John the Baptist came to the desert of Judea and started preaching.Select Matthew 3:1

2“Turn away from your sins,” he said, “because the Kingdom of heaven is near!”Select Matthew 3:2

3John was the man the prophet Isaiah was talking about when he said, “Someone is shouting in the desert, ‘Prepare a road for the Lord; make a straight path for him to travel!’”Select Matthew 3:3

4John's clothes were made of camel's hair; he wore a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey.Select Matthew 3:4

5People came to him from Jerusalem, from the whole province of Judea, and from all over the country near the Jordan River.Select Matthew 3:5

6They confessed their sins, and he baptized them in the Jordan.Select Matthew 3:6

7When John saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming to him to be baptized, he said to them, “You snakes—who told you that you could escape from the punishment God is about to send?Select Matthew 3:7

8Do those things that will show that you have turned from your sins.Select Matthew 3:8

9And don't think you can escape punishment by saying that Abraham is your ancestor. I tell you that God can take these rocks and make descendants for Abraham!Select Matthew 3:9

10The ax is ready to cut down the trees at the roots; every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown in the fire.Select Matthew 3:10

11I baptize you with water to show that you have repented, but the one who will come after me will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. He is much greater than I am; and I am not good enough even to carry his sandals.Select Matthew 3:11

12He has his winnowing shovel with him to thresh out all the grain. He will gather his wheat into his barn, but he will burn the chaff in a fire that never goes out.”Select Matthew 3:12

The Baptism of Jesus

13At that time Jesus arrived from Galilee and came to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him.Select Matthew 3:13

14But John tried to make him change his mind. “I ought to be baptized by you,” John said, “and yet you have come to me!”Select Matthew 3:14

15But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so for now. For in this way we shall do all that God requires.” So John agreed.Select Matthew 3:15

16As soon as Jesus was baptized, he came up out of the water. Then heaven was opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God coming down like a dove and lighting on him.Select Matthew 3:16

17Then a voice said from heaven, “This is my own dear Son, with whom I am pleased.”Select Matthew 3:17