CHAPTER III. _John the Baptist begins to preach_, 1. _The subject of his preaching_, 2, 3. _Description of his clothing and food_, 4. _The success of his ministry_, 5, 6. _His exhortation to the Pharisees_, 7-9. _He denounces the judgments of God against the impenitent_, 10. _The design of hi... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Matthew 3:2. _REPENT_] μετανοειτε. This was the _matter_ of the preaching. The verb μετανοεω is either compounded of μετα, _after,_ and νοειν _to understand_, which signifies that, _after hearing_ such preaching, the sinner is led to _understand_, that the way he has walked in was the way of... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Matthew 3:3. _THE VOICE OF ONE CRYING IN THE WILDERNESS_] Or, A voice of a crier in the wilderness. This is quoted from Isaiah 40:3, which clearly proves that John the Baptist was the person of whom the prophet spoke. The idea is taken from the practice of eastern monarchs, who, whenever they... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Matthew 3:4. _HIS RAIMENT OF CAMEL'S HAIR_] A sort of _coarse_ or _rough_ covering, which, it appears, was common to the prophets, Zechariah 13:4. In such a garment we find _Elijah_ clothed, 2 Kings 1:8. And as _John_ had been designed under the name of this prophet, Malachi 4:5, whose spirit... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Matthew 3:5. _JORDAN_] Many of the best MSS. and versions, with Mark 1:5, add ποταμω, the _river_ Jordan; but the definitive article, with which the word is generally accompanied, both in the Hebrew and the Greek, is, sufficient; and our article _the_, which should ever be used in the translat... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Matthew 3:6. _WERE BAPTIZED_] In what form baptism was originally administered, has been deemed a subject worthy of serious dispute. Were the people _dipped_ or _sprinkled_? for it is certain βαπτω and βαπτιζω mean both. They were all _dipped_, say some. Can any man suppose that it was possib... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Matthew 3:7. _PHARISEES_] A very numerous sect among the Jews, who, in their _origin_, were, very probably, a pure and holy people. It is likely that they got the name of Pharisees, i.e. _Separatists_, (from פרש _pharash_, to _separate_,) from their separating themselves from the pollution of... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Matthew 3:10. _AND NOW ALSO THE AXE IS LAID_] Or, _Even now the axe_ _lieth_. As if he had said, There is not a moment to spare - God is about to cut off every impenitent soul - you must therefore either turn to God _immediately_, or be utterly and finally ruined. It was customary with the pr... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Matthew 3:11. _BUT HE THAT COMETH AFTER ME_] Or, _I coming after me_, who is now on his way, and will shortly make his appearance. Jesus Christ began his ministry when he was thirty years of age, Luke 3:23, which was the age appointed by the law, Numbers 4:3. John the Baptist was born about _s... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Matthew 3:12. _WHOSE FAN_ is _in his hand_] The Romans are here termed God's _fan_, as, in Matthew 3:10, they were called his _axe_, and, in Matthew 22:7, they are termed his _troops_ or _armies_. The winnowing fan of the Hindoos is square, made of split bamboo; and the corn is winnowed by _w... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Matthew 3:14. _JOHN FORBAD HIM_] Earnestly and pressingly opposed him: this is the proper import of the words διεκωλευεν αυτον. I have observed that δια, in composition, most _frequently_, if not _always_, strengthens the signification in classic authors. - _Wakefield_.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Matthew 3:15. _TO FULFIL ALL RIGHTEOUSNESS._] That is, _Every_ _righteous ordinance_: so I think the words πασανδικαιοσυνην should be translated; and so our common version renders a similar word, Luke 1:6. The following passage, quoted from _Justin Martyr_, will doubtless appear a strong vindi... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Matthew 3:16. _THE HEAVENS WERE OPENED UNTO HIM_] That is, to John the Baptist - _and he_, John, _saw the Spirit of God - lighting upon him_, i.e. Jesus. There has been some controversy about the manner and form in which the _Spirit of God_ rendered itself visible on this occasion. St. Luke, L... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Matthew 3:17. _IN WHOM I AM WELL PLEASED._] εν ω ενδακησα _in whom I_ _have delighted _- though it is supposed that the _past_ tense is here used for the _present_: but Matthew 17:5. By this _voice_, and _overshadowing of the Spirit_, the mission of the Lord Jesus was publicly and solemnly acc... [ Continue Reading ]