Matthew 3 - Amplified Bible(AMP)

The Preaching of John the Baptist

1In those days John the Baptist appeared, preaching in the Wilderness of Judea and saying,

2“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

3This is the one who was mentioned by the prophet Isaiah when he said,

“The voice of one shouting in the wilderness,

‘Prepare the road for the Lord,

Make His highways straight (level, direct)!’ ”

4Now this same John had clothing made of camel’s hair and a leather band around his waist; and his food was locusts and wild honey.

5At that time Jerusalem was going out to him, and all Judea and all the district around the Jordan;

6and they were being baptized by him in the Jordan River, as they confessed their sins.

7But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath and judgment to come?

8So produce fruit that is consistent with repentance;

9and do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham for our father’; for I say to you that from these stones God is able to raise up children (descendants) for Abraham.

10And already the axe is swinging toward the root of the trees; therefore every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

11“As for me, I baptize you with water because of repentance, but He (the Messiah) who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to remove; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire (judgment).

12His winnowing fork is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clear out His threshing floor; and He will gather His wheat (believers) into His barn (kingdom), but He will burn up the chaff (the unrepentant) with unquenchable fire.”

The Baptism of Jesus

13Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him.

14But John tried to prevent Him, saying, “It is I who need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?”

15But Jesus replied to him, “Permit it just now; for this is the fitting way for us

to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John permitted Him.

16After Jesus was baptized, He came up immediately out of the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he (John) saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and lighting on Him (Jesus),

17and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased and delighted!”