45 matching verse commentaries
John Gill - Exposition - John Gill
And think not to say within yourselves,.... John knew the sentiments of their minds, and the prevailing opinion they had given into, against which he cautions them; as, that because they were Abraham's seed, they were in a state of salvation, in the favour of God, and had a right to all privileges and ordinances: this they trusted in, and boasted...
Spurgeon - Verse Expositions - Charles H. Spurgeon
And think not to say within yourselves, we have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones — In the bed of Jordan, where he was baptizing, — Mat_3:9. To raise up children unto Abraham. John bade them boast not of their descent from Abraham; yet that was the great thing in which they did glory. They despised the...
Spurgeon - Verse Expositions - Charles H. Spurgeon
And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: No mere pruning and trimming work did John come to do; he was the handler of a sharp axe that was to fell every worthless tree.
John Gill - Exposition - John Gill
And now also the axe is laid,.... These words may be rendered, "for now also", and contain in them a reason why they might expect future wrath; why they should bring forth good fruit; and why they should not trust to nor plead their descent from Abraham, because "the axe is now laid": by which is meant, not the Gospel which now began to be...
Spurgeon - Verse Expositions - Charles H. Spurgeon
And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Other teachers came, as it were, only to lop and prune the trees, but the time had come for the felling of those that were fruitless. John did this, and so did our Lord Jesus Christ, for his...
Spurgeon - Verse Expositions - Charles H. Spurgeon
Therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. It is not enough to hew it down. Into the fire it must go; and John minces not his words about the matter, he speaks straight out the message of his Master.
Spurgeon - Verse Expositions - Charles H. Spurgeon
And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shalt baptize you with the holy Ghost, and with fire:-whose...
John Gill - Exposition - John Gill
I indeed baptize you with water,.... These words, at first view, look as if they were a continuation of John's discourse with the Pharisees and Sadducees, and as though he had baptized them; whereas by comparing them with what the other Evangelists relate, see Mr 1:5 they are spoken to the people, who, confessing their sins, had been baptized by...
Spurgeon - Verse Expositions - Charles H. Spurgeon
I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire....
Spurgeon - Verse Expositions - Charles H. Spurgeon
I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire....
John Gill - Exposition - John Gill
Whose fan is in his hand,.... The Jews had their hand fans, and which were like a man's hand; their names were מגוב מעבר מורה; which, as Maimonides says (n), were three sorts of instruments used in the floor, in form of a man's hand; with which they cleansed the wheat and barley from the straw; and their names differ according to their form: some...
John Gill - Exposition - John Gill
Then cometh Jesus,.... That is, when John had been some time preaching the doctrine of repentance, and administering the ordinance of baptism; for which, time must be allowed, since he went into all the country about Jordan, and preached unto them, and baptized such large numbers: very probably it might be six months from his first entrance on his...
Spurgeon - Verse Expositions - Charles H. Spurgeon
Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? This is one of the most striking proofs that the ordinance of baptism is not to be neglected by any of Christ’s followers, for even he who, in himself, could have had no need for it, —...
Spurgeon - Verse Expositions - Charles H. Spurgeon
Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. But John forbid him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? It seemed very strange that John, the servant, should be required to baptize Jesus, the Master.
Spurgeon - Verse Expositions - Charles H. Spurgeon
Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? Who among us would not have felt as John did? Shall the servant baptize the Master, and such a Master, even his Lord and Saviour? But merely the condescension of our blessed Lord. He...
John Gill - Exposition - John Gill
But John forbad him, saying,.... It appears from hence, that John knew Christ before he baptized him, and before he saw the Spirit descending and abiding on him, John 1:33 wherefore that was not a signal, whereby he should first know him but whereby his knowledge of him should be confirmed; which knowledge of him he had, not through his kindred to...
John Gill - Exposition - John Gill
And Jesus answering, said unto him,.... This is an Hebrew way of speaking, often used in the Old Testament, and answers to ויאמר יען; see Job 3:1. He replied to John, who had made use of very forbidding words, after this manner, suffer it to be so now; let me have my request; do not go on to object, but comply with my desire; let it be done now,...
Spurgeon - Verse Expositions - Charles H. Spurgeon
And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now:- for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness. Nothing that appertains to righteousness must be neglected; the little as well as the great must be observed.
Spurgeon - Verse Expositions - Charles H. Spurgeon
Then he suffered him. And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: and lo a voice from heaven saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. This doctrine of repentance was preached by the...
Spurgeon - Verse Expositions - Charles H. Spurgeon
And Jesus answering said unto him, suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil al righteousness. Then he suffered him. That is to say the Teacher must himself obey the laws, which he is about to lay down; and inasmuch as he is going to bid others to be baptized, he will set the example, and be himself baptized. I think also that the...