Matthew 3

In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,

1In those days a man named John the Baptist came. He preached in the wilderness of Judea. That means he told people God's message in a dry, empty land.

2And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

2He said, "Turn away from the wrong things you do. God's kingdom is almost here."

3For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.

3Long ago, Isaiah spoke about John. Isaiah was a prophet, someone who told people what God said. He said, "A voice is calling out in the wilderness. Get the road ready for the Lord. Make his paths straight."

4And the same John had his raiment of camel’s hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey.

4John's clothes were made from camel hair. He wore a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey.

NoteLocusts are insects, a bit like grasshoppers. People in that land really did eat them. Wild honey came from bees that nobody kept.

5Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan,

5People came out to him from Jerusalem, from all of Judea, and from all the land near the Jordan River.

6And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.

6They told God the wrong things they had done. Then John baptized them in the Jordan River. That means he dipped them under the water.

7But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?

7Many Pharisees and Sadducees came to where John was baptizing. Those were two groups of Jewish leaders. John said to them, "You are a nest of snakes! Who told you to run from the anger that is coming?"

Note"Generation of vipers" in the old wording means a family of poisonous snakes. It was a strong insult.

8Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:

8"So live in a way that shows you really have turned from your sins."

9And 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.

9"Do not say to yourselves, 'Abraham is our father, so we are safe.' I tell you, God can make children for Abraham out of these stones."

10And 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.

10"The axe is already lying at the roots of the trees. Every tree that does not grow good fruit gets cut down. Then it is thrown into the fire."

11I 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:

11"I baptize you with water to show you have turned from your sins. But someone is coming after me who is stronger than I am. I am not good enough even to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire."

12Whose 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.

12"His winnowing fork is in his hand. He will clean off his threshing floor completely. He will gather his wheat into the barn. But he will burn up the chaff in a fire that never goes out."

NoteA winnowing fork is like a big pitchfork. Farmers tossed grain in the air with it. The wind blew away the chaff, the dry husks, and the good grain fell down.

13Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him.

13Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan River. He came to John so John would baptize him.

14But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?

14But John tried to stop him. John said, "I am the one who needs you to baptize me. So why are you coming to me?"

15And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.

15Jesus answered him, "Let it be this way for now. This is how we do everything that is right." So John let him do it.

NoteIn the old wording, "suffer it to be so" means "allow it," and "he suffered him" means John let him. It does not mean anyone was hurt.

16And 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:

16As soon as Jesus was baptized, he came up out of the water. Right then the heavens opened. He saw the Spirit of God coming down like a dove and resting on him.

17And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

17And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son. I love him, and I am very pleased with him."