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BIBLE STUDY MATTHEW 3:1-17 REVIEW: Chapter 2 was a narrative of stories from Jesus’ infancy and childhood – the visit of the Magi (wise men), the flight into Egypt, the slaughter of the innocent children in Bethlehem, and the return from Egypt. These stories would have been understood by Matthew’s original Jewish Christian readers as fulfilling or “re-enacting” various aspects of the Moses/Exodus story. Because of this, Jesus could be viewed as the “new Moses” and Matthew’s Jewish-Christian community would therefore see themselves as being the “new Israel”. The Magi were Persian “wise men” – who especially were known for their proficiency in ASTROLOGY. Although they were Gentiles, they came seeking Jesus as “the king of the Jews” in order to pay him homage. This foreshadows the time when Gentiles everywhere would worship Jesus. Herod, the “king of the Jews” of the time (the title had been conferred on him by the Roman Senate in 40 B.C.), was obviously very upset with hearing that a potential rival to his throne had been born, and sought to have Jesus killed. The “chief priests and scribes” are also mentioned – not only to bring up the prophecy of the Messiah’s birthplace – but also as a way of “foreshadowing” their role as Jesus’ enemies later in his life (especially in his Passion) The flight into and return from Egypt reenacts the Exodus in reverse. In a way, it illustrates Matthew’s understanding that the actual Israel is like the Egypt of old in its rejection and persecution of God’s people. Finally, the chapter concludes with Joseph bringing his family to Nazareth in Galilee and settling there. In this chapter especially, Matthew understands much of what happens as “fulfilling” Old Testament prophecy. Most of these “fulfillments” are not necessarily literal, but Matthew’s purpose is to illustrate who Jesus is – as the Messiah and “new Moses” that the true Israel has been longing for. INTRODUCTION TO CHAPTER 3 In this chapter Matthew abruptly moves from Jesus’ infancy to the beginning of his adult public ministry. “In those days” is an Old Testament expression used to mark the beginning of a new period, not to give a precise indication of time. The basic point of this chapter is that through the ministry of John the Baptist – and then especially with the baptism of Jesus – a NEW age of God’s salvation has broken into our world! CHAPTER 3:1-6 “The Emergence of John the Baptist” “In those days John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness of Judea, proclaiming, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” This is the one of whom the prophet Isaiah spoke when he said, “The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.’” Now John wore clothing of camel’s hair with a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. Then the people of Jerusalem and all Judea were going out to him, and all the region along the Jordan, and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.” Matthew, along with the other gospels, portrays John’s preaching and baptism as being oriented to the coming kingdom of God and to preparing the way of the Lord. His clothing and even his food is meant to remind people of the ministry of the prophet Elijah. All the gospel writers seek to place John’s ministry in a subordinate role to that of Jesus. We need to understand that this was not a settled issue during the first century. John’s movement survived his death and was viewed as “competition” by many of Jesus’ followers. The book of Acts, for example, has two stories that indicate this: 1) that Apollos at first knew “only the baptism of John” (Acts 18:25); and 2) the disciples at Ephesus had been baptized only “into John’s baptism” (Acts 19:5-6). These persons required further instruction from Jesus’ followers and – at least for the Ephesus disciples – baptism in the name of the Lord Jesus. Matthew, along with the other gospel writers, obviously seeks to emphasize that although John is important, Jesus is much more so. He sees John as fulfilling the prophecy of Isaiah 40:3 – as being the one sent to prepare people for the Lord’s coming. John does this by calling people to REPENT (turn away from) their sins and begin living a consecrated life. John’s BAPTISM has no direct parallels in Jewish history. Priests would ritually bathe themselves before serving in the temple, and proselytes would be immersed to signify their separation from their old “uncircumcised” life. John’s baptism, however, was for JEWS desiring to “make a statement” that they were turning away from their sins. It is NOT the same as later Christian baptism. Whatever, it is obvious that John’s preaching touched people in a very powerful way. People recognized that he was a prophet from God. CHAPTER 3:7-12 “John’s Message” “But when he saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruit worthy of repentance. Do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our ancestor’; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. Even now the ax is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.” The first part of John’s message is a THREAT. In the desert, there were many dried up shrubs and grasses – and sometimes a fire would break out. When that happened the fire would sweep like a wall of flame – and all the desert creatures (such as snakes, scorpions, rodents, etc.) who found shelter in these plants would flee for their lives before the flames. Many of John’s listeners were like these creatures. They were coming for baptism because of FEAR that they were not right with God. Or – perhaps they simply wanted to make “extra sure” that they had all their bases covered. Luke in his gospel calls these persons “the multitudes”. Matthew specifically refers to them as “Pharisees and Sadducees” – probably as a means of introducing the groups that will be the chief antagonists of Jesus during his ministry. As indicated previously, the Pharisees were most likely the chief rivals of Matthew’s Jewish Christian community – so Matthew throughout his gospel sharpens and even exaggerates the negative portrayal of this group. The Pharisees emphasized obeying the LAW through observing many rituals in everyday life – it was by doing so that they could “rate” themselves as to how religious they were. The Sadducees were another Jewish “party”. Unlike the Pharisees, they were mostly priests and members of the political elite. They held only the first five books of the Bible (the TORAH) as being authoritative, and did not believe in a resurrection of the dead. Both groups had false assumptions about their salvation. The Pharisees believed that they would be right with God because they tried harder than others to observe his law to the Nth degree. The Sadducees, on the other hand, believed that their GENEALOGY would justify them. John wanted their desire for baptism to be genuine – because they wanted to REPENT and begin a new life with God. This “fruit” of repentance probably means not only “good deeds” but also a “right spirit” of love and humility as well. Finally, John’s message warns about God’s JUDGMENT upon those who do not bear right “fruit” in their lives. The “fire” is that of Gehenna – HELL. “I baptize you with water for repentance, but one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and will gather his wheat into the granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.” This second part of John’s message is a PROMISE that his successor will baptize those who repent in an even more powerful way. The Jews understood the Holy Spirit as the “breath of life”. John here is prophesying that this future baptism will fill persons with God’s life and power in a very special way. John also says that his future successor will also baptize with FIRE – this probably does not refer to anything negative but rather in a way that PURIFIES and REFINES. All sin will be “burned away” – then we will truly be able to live new lives that are fit for the kingdom of heaven. CHAPTER 3:13-17 “The Baptism of Jesus” “Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now; for it is proper for us in this way to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented. And when Jesus had been baptized, just as he came up from the water, suddenly the heavens were opened to him and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.” Why was Jesus baptized? John himself questions this – for if Jesus was indeed sinless (as was claimed by most Christians both then and now), why should he need a baptism signifying his repentance of sins? Two main reasons have been given:
What happened in connection with the baptism was an EPIPHANY – a special revelation – to Jesus. He literally was baptized with the Holy Spirit, as John had previously foretold. He was filled with a surge of certainty and self-understanding of who and what he was – the beloved Son of God. Only after this “commissioning” and “epiphany” was Jesus ready to begin his public ministry. The message of the voice from heaven is a combination of Psalm 2:7 (understood as a reference to the Messiah) and Isaiah 42:1 (a reference to the “Suffering Servant”). Jesus is the fulfillment of both prophecies. Finally, Matthew makes it clear that although Jesus received John’s baptism, in the end – both by John’s own admission and through the vision – Jesus is the superior to John rather than the other way around. -------------------- George R. Karres, Pella Lutheran Church 418 W. Main Street Sidney, MT 59270
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