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(1) In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,
(2) And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. (3) For 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. (4) And 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. (5) Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan, (6) And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins. (7) But 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? (8) Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance: (9) 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. (10) 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. (11) 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: (12) 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. (13) Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. (14) But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? (15) And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him. (16) 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: (17) And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Study Questions2. Why was John called the baptist? Verse 1. 3. Why do you think John began his ministry in the wilderness? Why not go where the people live? Verse 1. 4. What was the central theme of John’s preaching? Verse 2. 5. What was John’s basic purpose for coming to preach his special message? What was John to accomplish? Verse 3. 6. Why do you think John preached the way he did and dressed the way he did? Verses 3-4. 7. Why was Israel not ready for the Messiah’s coming? Verses 5-6. 8. Why do you think John spoke so disrespectfully of the Pharisees and Sadducees? Do you think John’s harsh language was partly responsible for their rejection of him and “the counsel of God”? Verse 7. (See Luke 7:30) 9. Did John expect people to show the genuineness of their repentance before he would baptize them, or did he expect such fruits of repentance to be seen in their lives after baptism as the natural result of their repentance? Verse 8. 10. Why did most Israelites think they were already safe? Verse 9. 11. How does the figure of the axe and the trees correct the mistaken idea in verse 9? Verse 10. 12. What is repentance? How can baptism be “unto repentance”? Verse 11. 13. What promise did John make regarding the coming of Jesus, and what is meant by the various terms of that promise? (That is: What, when, where, upon whom, etcetera) Verse 11. 14. Please explain what is meant by the following allusions: Make straight paths: (Verse 3) Generation of vipers: (Verse 7) Axe is laid at the root of the trees: (Verse 10) His fan is in his hand: (Verse 12) 15. What are the differences in John’s baptism and that in Acts chapter 2? 16. Do you think Jesus really needed to be immersed by John? If so, why? If not, why not? Verse 13. 17. Why do you think John considered himself in need of immersion by Jesus instead of Jesus having need of John’s baptism? Verse 14. 18. What do these phrases mean? Verse 15. It becometh us: To fulfill all righteousness: He suffered Him: 19. What took place immediately following Jesus’ baptism? Verse 16. 20. What did the descent of the Holy Spirit upon Jesus mean to John? Verse 16. (See John 1:33-34) 21. Why did God speak from heaven in this manner and on this occasion? Verse 17. Thought question: 22. What is the demonstration in your life that you too have genuinely repented? Comments are closed.
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