Matthew 3 - Introduction
_JOHN PREACHETH: HIS OFFICE, LIFE, AND BAPTISM: HE REPREHENDETH THE PHARISEES, AND BAPTIZETH CHRIST IN JORDAN._ _Anno Domini 26._... [ Continue Reading ]
_JOHN PREACHETH: HIS OFFICE, LIFE, AND BAPTISM: HE REPREHENDETH THE PHARISEES, AND BAPTIZETH CHRIST IN JORDAN._ _Anno Domini 26._... [ Continue Reading ]
IN THOSE DAYS— That is, while Jesus was yet at Nazareth, where he dwelt till he entered on his public ministry, in the thirtieth year of his age. It is usual with authors to denote the times they are speaking of in an indeterminate manner. St. Luke, chap. Matthew 3:2 has specified this period very p... [ Continue Reading ]
REPENT YE— This was only the substance and result of his preaching. The _kingdom of heaven_ and the _kingdom of God,_ are but two phrases for the same thing, agreeably to the style of the Hebrews; who frequently used the word _heaven_ to denote _God_ himself who dwells there. Hence what is here call... [ Continue Reading ]
HIS RAIMENT OF CAMEL'S HAIR— The Jews used to wear _hairy_ or _coarse garments_ in time of sorrow and humiliation. See Matthew 11:21. The Nazarites did the same till they had fulfilled their vow. It was also a dress sometimes worn by the prophets; Zechariah 13:4. 2 Kings 1:8. Revelation 6:12; Revela... [ Continue Reading ]
AND ALL THE REGION ROUND ABOUT JORDAN— As the river Jordan runs through a vast tract of land, it cannot be supposed that all they who lived nearest it came to John's baptism. By _all the region,_ &c. St. Matthew therefore must mean some of those countries near Jordan, which bordered upon Judaea; as... [ Continue Reading ]
WERE BAPTIZED OF HIM— There were two kinds of baptism in use among the Jews; one was that of the priests at their consecration, Leviticus 8:6.; the other was that of the heathens proselyted to the Jewish religion. It was therefore no unheard-of rite which the Messiah's harbinger made use of. His cou... [ Continue Reading ]
PHARISEES— A Jewish sect so called from a Hebrew word signifying _separated,_ or _set apart,_ because they distinguished themselves from the rest of the Jews, by pretending to a greater degree of holiness and piety than the generality of them did; and by some particular observances. The _Sadducees_... [ Continue Reading ]
FRUITS MEET FOR REPENTANCE— That is, "Do such works as may manifest the truth and sincerity of your repentance." See Acts 26:20.... [ Continue Reading ]
THINK NOT TO SAY, &C.— Dr. Whitby has shewn fully how great was the presumption of the Jews, on their relationship to Abraham. Munster upon this text quotes a remarkable passage from the Talmud, wherein it is said, "That Abraham sits next the gates of hell, and does not permit any wicked Israelite t... [ Continue Reading ]
AND NOW ALSO THE AXE, &C.— _The axe is already laid to the root of the trees: every tree then,_ &c. "There is now no more time for delay: God is going to offer the last dispensation of repentance and mercy; which if you accept not, his vengeance hangs over you; destruction will speedily overtake you... [ Continue Reading ]
I INDEED BAPTIZE YOU— This is the answer which John made to the question put to him, John 1:19 in which he shews what difference there was between him and the Messiah. "_I indeed,_ says he, _baptize you with water, to_ bring you to _repentance;_ for they who were baptized, not only declared that the... [ Continue Reading ]
WHOSE FAN IS IN HIS HAND, &C.— This expression is taken from the prophetical writings. See Isaiah 41:16; Isaiah 41:29. Dr. Shaw observes, that in the eastern countries, after the grain is trodden out, they winnow it, by throwing it up against the wind with a _shovel,_ answering the original word το... [ Continue Reading ]
TO BE BAPTIZED HIM— By this he intended to do an honour to John's ministry, and to conform himself to what he appointed for his followers. It was for this last reason, that he drank of the sacramental cup. See Diodati. And certainly our Lord's baptism tended to promote the ends both of his own missi... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT JOHN FORBAD HIM, &C.— _But John excused himself._ See the note on John 1:31. Doddridge and others have it, _Would have hindered_ or _prevented him,_ saying, _I have need to be baptized of you, and do you come to me?_ But Jesus was, in his own person, to pass through and sanctify all states; and,... [ Continue Reading ]
THE HEAVENS WERE OPENED UNTO HIM— That is to say, to John; to whose view, as well as to that of the Saviour, this wonderful vision was presented. St. Mark has so expressed it, as plainly to refer the _seeing it_ to _Christ;_ and John the Baptist has in another place assured us, that _he_ saw it, and... [ Continue Reading ]
THIS IS MY BELOVED SON— As both St. Mark and St. Luke have it, _Thou art my beloved Son,_ one would be inclined to follow those copies of St. Matthew which agree with them, rather than the more common reading. See Mills and Wetstein. Chemnitz, however, and some others, imagine that both sentences we... [ Continue Reading ]