Good day, guten tag, buenos días. May All who read this be blessed: Matthew 3:1-6 with commentary The following is adapted from my original manuscript notes “Meditations on The Gospel According to Saint Matthew” Originally written between 2003-2010 and updated with newer information and improved references as the transcription process continues. All Scriptures cited are from the New King James Version (NKJV/NKJ) unless otherwise noted. The commentary will be by itself in the beginning. The Bible Text(s) themselves will follow (for those who do not have ready access to a Bible). [i] MATTHEW 3:1-6 COMMENTARY 3:2 REPENT! ● Throughout the Gospel, the message “Repent” has been preached. ● In the New Testament, beginning with John the Baptist and concluding with Christ and the Apostles, we are called to repentance. ● Here the word is μετανοειτε G3340 V-PAM-2P (metanoeite- from metanoeo, which in turn is from two words, meta “after” and noeo “to perceive” or “to understand”, and implies a change of mind and/or purpose). 3:2 Cont. REPENT(ANCE) NOT, “DO PENANCE! ● Throughout the NT, four Greek words are used and translated in the Bible as repent, repented, and/or repentance. They are: 1. #278 ἀμεταμέλητος, ametamelētos – which means the opposite, to not repent/change. This is found only twice in the NT Scriptures: Romans 11:29; 2nd Corinthians 7:10 [ii]. 2. #3338 μεταμέλλομαι, metamellomai – an emotional change, dealing with specifics. [iii] 3. #3340 μετανοέω, metanoeō – a change of choice or overall attitude/lifestyle. [iv] 4. #3341 μετάνοια, metanoia – after thought, change of mind, repentance; especially with regard to sin or evil. [v] 3:2 Cont. THE KINGDOM OF... ● Matthew repeatedly uses the expression, “The kingdom of heaven,” where Mark refers to, “The kingdom of God.” (As do Luke and John). Many use the above distinction to justify the belief that Matthew was writing principally to/for Jews, while Mark and the others, were writing for a broader audience (see note to 1:1 part 1 above). In either case, the expressions are synonymous, cf. Mark 1:15; Luke 10:9; John 3:3. [vi] 3:3 PREPARE THE WAY ● John the Baptist fulfills the prophetic role of Isaiah 40:3 [vii]. 3:6 BELIEVERS BAPTISM ● The people were baptized in the River Jordan, confessing their sins. ● The term used here and in verse 11 following, in reference to baptism is the Greek word βαπτίζω, baptizō. In the context of this passage and in general, the term signifies immersion in water. Only twice is the term used in Scripture for ceremonial washings (ablutions) of the hands: Mark 7:4; Luke 11:38 [viii]. ● In each case in Scripture, where the baptismal process is described, the individual being baptized is described as being in the water or coming out of, or from the water. This would indicate that the latter practices of some faith communities of sprinkling or pouring water over the baptizee have their origins outside of the Scriptures as such, possibly due to some more mundane, practical (at the time and place) consideration(s) e.g., no standing body of water of sufficient size to allow for immersion. In any case, these do not appear to have been the practice in the early church. ● The other key word here – ἧν, en, is, depending on the context, translated as: in, with, or by. Of the three, the context clearly calls for “in.” ● Finally, that those being baptized were “confessing their sins,” indicates that they were of an age to understand and act upon their understanding of the fact that they were sinners who needed some kind of cleansing from their sins. They were not infants or very young children without any personal understanding. ● This supports the doctrine of “Believers Baptism” as contrasted with that of “Infant Baptism,” practiced by some. It does not, however, prohibit, or in any other way deny the validity of infant baptism, in a covenantal sense as practiced by some faith groups, e.g., Lutherans, Presbyterians, et al. 3:6 Cont. PRACTICAL APPLICATION ● As the act of baptism has no saving effect/power in itself; the mode: immersion, sprinkling, pouring, etc., is irrelevant. ● As for the “sacrament” of infant baptism and its relation with “believers baptism,” I believe that one, who was baptized as an infant/small child, need not be re-baptized. They may be, should they so desire and doing so may serve as a good public testimony of ones new faith. I do not, however, believe it is necessary for salvation. ENDNOTES: [i] Special note: I have yet to transcribe into electronic format the majority of my manuscript notes. I do apologize if there are references to other notes that are not presently available. I am working on them as I have time and energy. In the meantime, if other material is already transcribed or, is of limited enough volume that I can quickly get it done, then any cross-references with notes will be at the bottom. Thank you for your patience and support. Romans 11:29; 2nd Corinthians 7:10 Romans 11:29 NKJV (29) For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. Romans 11:29 KJV+ (KJV with Strongs Numbers) (29) ForG1063 theG3588 giftsG5486 andG2532 callingG2821 of GodG2316 are without repentance.G278 Romans 11:29 GNT-TR+ (Greek New Testament-Textus Receptus with Strongs) (29) αμεταμεληταG278 A-NPN γαρG1063 CONJ ταG3588 T-NPN χαρισματαG5486 N-NPN καιG2532 CONJ ηG3588 T-NSF κλησιςG2821 N-NSF τουG3588 T-GSM θεουG2316 N-GSM 2 Corinthians 7:10 NKJV (10) For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death. 2 Corinthians 7:10 KJV+ (10) ForG1063 godlyG2596 G2316 sorrowG3077 workethG2716 repentanceG3341 toG1519 salvationG4991 not to be repented of:G278 butG1161 theG3588 sorrowG3077 of theG3588 worldG2889 workethG2716 death.G2288 GNT-TR+ (10) ηG3588 T-NSF γαρG1063 CONJ καταG2596 PREP θεονG2316 N-ASM λυπηG3077 N-NSF μετανοιανG3341 N-ASF ειςG1519 PREP σωτηριανG4991 N-ASF αμεταμελητονG278 A-ASF κατεργαζεταιG2716 V-PNI-3S ηG3588 T-NSF δεG1161 CONJ τουG3588 T-GSM κοσμουG2889 N-GSM λυπηG3077 N-NSF θανατονG2288 N-ASM κατεργαζεταιG2716 V-PNI-3S G3338 (Meyer, 1769) μεταμέλλομαι metamellomai Total KJV Occurrences: 6 repent, 3 2Co_7:8 (2), Heb_7:21 repented, 3 Mat_21:29, Mat_21:32, Mat_27:3 G3340 (Meyer, 1769) μετανοέω metanoeō Total KJV Occurrences: 34 repent, 21 Mat_3:2 (2), Mat_4:17, Mar_1:15, Mar_6:12, Luk_13:3, Luk_13:5, Luk_16:30, Luk_17:3-4 (2), Act_2:38, Act_3:19, Act_8:22, Act_17:30, Act_26:20, Rev_2:5 (2), Rev_2:16, Rev_2:21-22 (2), Rev_3:3, Rev_3:19 repented, 11 Mat_11:19-21 (3), Mat_12:41, Luk_10:13, Luk_11:32, 2Co_12:21, Rev_2:21, Rev_9:20-21 (2), Rev_16:9, Rev_16:11 repenteth, 2 Luk_15:7, Luk_15:10 G3341 (Meyer, 1769) μετάνοια metanoia Total KJV Occurrences: 24 repentance, 24 Mat_3:8, Mat_3:11, Mat_9:13, Mar_1:4, Mar_2:17, Luk_3:3, Luk_3:8, Luk_5:32, Luk_15:7, Luk_24:47, Act_5:31, Act_11:18, Act_13:24, Act_19:4, Act_20:21, Act_26:20, Rom_2:4, 2Co_7:9-10 (2), 2Ti_2:25, Heb_6:1, Heb_6:6, Heb_12:17, 2Pe_3:9 Mark 1:15; Luke 10:9; John 3:3 Mark 1:15 (15) and saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel. Luke 10:9 (9) And heal the sick there, and say to them, The kingdom of God has come near to you. John 3:3 (3) Jesus answered and said to him, Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Isaiah 40:3 (3) The voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the LORD; Make straight in the desert A highway for our God. Mark 7:4; Luke 11:38 Mark 7:4 (4) When they come from the marketplace, they do not eat unless they wash. And there are many other things which they have received and hold, like the washing of cups, pitchers, copper vessels, and couches. Luke 11:38 (38) When the Pharisee saw it, he marveled that He had not first washed before dinner.
Posted on: Mon, 10 Mar 2014 11:08:16 +0000
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