Mat 3:6-16 | TNotes

3:7 ^a The Pharisees’ name derives from the Hebrew term perushim, meaning either separated ones or exact interpreters.

• The Sadducees, a priestly class, probably derive their name from Zadok the priest (2 Sam 15:24-29 ^b; Ezek 44:10-16 ^c).
3:8 ^d Prove ... that you have ... turned to God (literally make fruit that accords with repentance): John calls for action and true ethical change; mere lip service will not do (see Luke 3:10-14 ^e; cp. Matt 5:19-20 ^f, 46 ^g; 7:21 ^h; 23:3 ⁱ).
3:9 ^j We’re safe: Some had wrongly assumed that, since they were descendants of Abraham, they were exempt from judgment.

• A prominent theme in Matthew is how God will create new children of Abraham by bringing the Gentiles into God’s people and removing from his people Jews who reject the Messiah (see 8:11-12 ^k; 21:43 ^l; 22:1-14 ^m; 28:16-20 ⁿ; Rom 4:9-25 ^o; Gal 3:6-14 ^p, 29 ^q).
3:11 ^r who is greater than I am: Despite his popularity and growing following, John had a clear sense of his role as subordinate to the Messiah.

• I’m not worthy even to be his slave: In Jewish culture, to remove and carry someone’s sandals, even those of a rabbi, was too lowly a task even for the rabbi’s disciple. It was a job reserved for slaves.

• with the Holy Spirit and with fire: This happened at Pentecost (see Joel 2:28-29 ^s; Acts 2:1-47 ^t); the ministry of Jesus, empowered by the Holy Spirit (see Matt 12:28 ^u; Luke 4:14 ^v), may also be included. Fire may refer to purification (Zech 13:9 ^w) or judgment (Mal 4:1 ^x; see Isa 1:25 ^y; 4:4 ^z; Mal 3:2-3 ^aa). It is a “Spirit-and-fire baptism”; the Messiah puts into effect what John could only prepare—thoroughgoing judgment and purification.
3:12 ^ab Farmers would use a winnowing fork to toss harvested grain into the air, allowing the useless husks (chaff) to blow away. The Messiah’s ministry divides all humanity into two groups: (1) the wheat, that is, those who respond, forming the new people of God; and (2) the chaff, the unrepentant (see 3:8 ^ac).
3:14 ^ad As John had already confessed (3:11-12 ^ae), he was lesser than the Messiah, so he felt unfit to baptize him.
3:15 ^af for we must carry out all that God requires: Or for we must fulfill all righteousness. This statement refers to accomplishing what the Old Testament demanded or foreshadowed (e.g., Jer 31:31-34 ^ag). “Righteousness” in Matthew refers to behavior that conforms to God’s will (see Matt 5:20 ^ah; 6:1 ^ai, 33 ^aj; 21:32 ^ak).
3:16 ^al The Spirit of God descending like a dove was anointing Jesus, through whom salvation would come. This event was like a king’s being anointed with oil at his coronation. The Holy Spirit empowered Jesus to accomplish God’s salvation and defeat Satan (see 12:18 ^am, 28 ^an). This same Spirit empowers Jesus’ followers (10:20 ^ao; Acts 1:8 ^ap).