Matthew Chapter 3
Other Translations
asv (asv) - eBible.org engASV USFM
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and was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt did I call my son.
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Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the Wise-men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the male children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the borders thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had exactly learned of the Wise-men.
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Then was fulfilled that which was spoken through Jeremiah the prophet, saying,
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A voice was heard in Ramah,
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Weeping and great mourning,
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Rachel weeping for her children;
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And she would not be comforted, because they are not.
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But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying,
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Arise and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead that sought the young child’s life.
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And he arose and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel.
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But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judæa in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither; and being warned
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of God in a dream, he withdrew into the parts of Galilee,
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and came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth; that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through the prophets, that he should be called a Nazarene.
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And in those days cometh John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judæa, saying,
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Repent ye; for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
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For this is he that was spoken of through Isaiah the prophet, saying,
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The voice of one crying in the wilderness,
darby (darby) - eBible.org Darby 1890 plaintext
1
Now in those days comes John the baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,
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and saying, Repent, for the kingdom of the heavens has drawn nigh.
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For this is he who has been spoken of through Esaias the prophet, saying, Voice of him that crieth in the wilderness: prepare ye the way of [the] Lord, make straight his paths.
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And John himself had his garment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins, and his nourishment was locusts and wild honey.
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Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the country round the Jordan,
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and were baptised by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins.
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But seeing many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, Offspring of vipers, who has forewarned you to flee from the coming wrath?
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Produce therefore fruit worthy of repentance.
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And do not think to say within yourselves, We have Abraham for [our] father; for I say unto you, thatGod is able of these stones to raise up children to Abraham.
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And already the axe is applied to the root of the trees; every tree therefore not producing good fruit is cut down and cast into the fire.
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I indeed baptise you with water to repentance, but he that comes after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not fit to bear; he shall baptise you with [the] Holy Spirit and fire;
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whose winnowing fan [is] in his hand, and he shall thoroughly purge his threshing-floor, and shall gather his wheat into the garner, but the chaff he will burn with fire unquenchable.
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Then comes Jesus from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptised of him;
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but John urgently forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptised of thee; and comest thou to me?
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But Jesus answering said to him, Suffer [it] now; for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffers him.
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And Jesus, having been baptised, went up straightway from the water, and lo, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit ofGod descending as a dove, and coming upon him:
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and behold, a voice out of the heavens saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I have found my delight.
vul1914 (vul1914) - Vulgate 1914 UTF-8 (sacredbible.org)
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In diebus autem illis venit Ioannes Baptista prædicans in deserto Iudææ,
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et dicens: Pœnitentiam agite: appropinquavit enim regnum cælorum.
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Hic est enim, qui dictus est per Isaiam prophetam dicentem: Vox clamantis in deserto: Parate viam Domini: rectas facite semitas eius.
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Ipse autem Ioannes habebat vestimentum de pilis camelorum, et zonam pelliceam circa lumbos suos: esca autem eius erat locustæ, et mel silvestre.
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Tunc exibat ad eum Ierosolyma, et omnis Iudæa, et omnis regio circa Iordanem;
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et baptizabantur ab eo in Iordane, confitentes peccata sua.
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Videns autem multos Pharisæorum, et Sadducæorum venientes ad baptismum suum, dixit eis: Progenies viperarum, quis demonstravit vobis fugere a ventura ira?
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Facite ergo fructum dignum pœnitentiæ.
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Et ne velitis dicere intra vos: Patrem habemus Abraham. dico enim vobis quoniam potens est Deus de lapidibus istis suscitare filios Abrahæ.
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Iam enim securis ad radicem arborum posita est. Omnis ergo arbor, quæ non facit fructum bonum, excidetur, et in ignem mittetur.
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Ego quidem baptizo vos in aqua in pœnitentiam: qui autem post me venturus est, fortior me est, cuius non sum dignus calceamenta portare: ipse vos baptizabit in Spiritu sancto, et igni.
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Cuius ventilabrum in manu sua: et permundabit aream suam: et congregabit triticum suum in horreum, paleas autem comburet igni inextinguibili.
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Tunc venit Iesus a Galilæa in Iordanem ad Ioannem, ut baptizaretur ab eo.
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Ioannes autem prohibebat eum, dicens: Ego a te debeo baptizari, et tu venis ad me?
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Respondens autem Iesus, dixit ei: Sine modo: sic enim decet nos implere omnem iustitiam. Tunc dimisit eum.
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Baptizatus autem Iesus, confestim ascendit de aqua, et ecce aperti sunt ei cæli: et vidit spiritum Dei descendentem sicut columbam, et venientem super se.
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Et ecce vox de cælis dicens: Hic est filius meus dilectus, in quo mihi complacui.
web (web) - WorldEnglish.Bible — CC0 modern update of ASV
1
In those days, John the Baptizer came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, saying,
2
“Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!”
3
For this is he who was spoken of by Isaiah the prophet, saying, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness, make the way of the Lord ready! Make his paths straight!”
4
Now John himself wore clothing made of camel’s hair with a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey.
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Then people from Jerusalem, all of Judea, and all the region around the Jordan went out to him.
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They were baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins.
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But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for his baptism, he said to them, “You offspring of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
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Therefore produce fruit worthy of repentance!
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Don’t think to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham for our father,’ for I tell you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones.
10
Even now the ax lies at the root of the trees. Therefore every tree that doesn’t produce good fruit is cut down, and cast into the fire.
11
“I indeed baptize you in water for repentance, but he who comes after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you in the Holy Spirit.
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His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will thoroughly cleanse his threshing floor. He will gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn up with unquenchable fire.”
13
Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him.
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But John would have hindered him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and you come to me?”
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But Jesus, answering, said to him, “Allow it now, for this is the fitting way for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he allowed him.
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Jesus, when he was baptized, went up directly from the water: and behold, the heavens were opened to him. He saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove, and coming on him.
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Behold, a voice out of the heavens said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”
wh1881 (wh1881) - Westcott-Hort Greek NT 1881 eBible USFM
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εν δε ταις ημεραις εκειναις παραγινεται ιωαννης ο βαπτιστης κηρυσσων εν τη ερημω της ιουδαιας
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λεγων μετανοειτε ηγγικεν γαρ η βασιλεια των ουρανων
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ουτος γαρ εστιν ο ρηθεις δια ησαιου του προφητου λεγοντος φωνη βοωντος εν τη ερημω ετοιμασατε την οδον κυριου ευθειας ποιειτε τας τριβους αυτου
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αυτος δε ο ιωαννης ειχεν το ενδυμα αυτου απο τριχων καμηλου και ζωνην δερματινην περι την οσφυν αυτου η δε τροφη ην αυτου ακριδες και μελι αγριον
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τοτε εξεπορευετο προς αυτον ιεροσολυμα και πασα η ιουδαια και πασα η περιχωρος του ιορδανου
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και εβαπτιζοντο εν τω ιορδανη ποταμω υπ αυτου εξομολογουμενοι τας αμαρτιας αυτων
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ιδων δε πολλους των φαρισαιων και σαδδουκαιων ερχομενους επι το βαπτισμα ειπεν αυτοις γεννηματα εχιδνων τις υπεδειξεν υμιν φυγειν απο της μελλουσης οργης
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ποιησατε ουν καρπον αξιον της μετανοιας
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και μη δοξητε λεγειν εν εαυτοις πατερα εχομεν τον αβρααμ λεγω γαρ υμιν οτι δυναται ο θεος εκ των λιθων τουτων εγειραι τεκνα τω αβρααμ
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ηδη δε η αξινη προς την ριζαν των δενδρων κειται παν ουν δενδρον μη ποιουν καρπον καλον εκκοπτεται και εις πυρ βαλλεται
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εγω μεν υμας βαπτιζω εν υδατι εις μετανοιαν ο δε οπισω μου ερχομενος ισχυροτερος μου εστιν ου ουκ ειμι ικανος τα υποδηματα βαστασαι αυτος υμας βαπτισει εν πνευματι αγιω και πυρι
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ου το πτυον εν τη χειρι αυτου και διακαθαριει την αλωνα αυτου και συναξει τον σιτον αυτου εις την αποθηκην το δε αχυρον κατακαυσει πυρι ασβεστω
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τοτε παραγινεται ο ιησους απο της γαλιλαιας επι τον ιορδανην προς τον ιωαννην του βαπτισθηναι υπ αυτου
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ο δε διεκωλυεν αυτον λεγων εγω χρειαν εχω υπο σου βαπτισθηναι και συ ερχη προς με
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αποκριθεις δε ο ιησους ειπεν αυτω αφες αρτι ουτως γαρ πρεπον εστιν ημιν πληρωσαι πασαν δικαιοσυνην τοτε αφιησιν αυτον
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βαπτισθεις δε ο ιησους ευθυς ανεβη απο του υδατος και ιδου ηνεωχθησαν οι ουρανοι και ειδεν πνευμα θεου καταβαινον ωσει περιστεραν ερχομενον επ αυτον
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και ιδου φωνη εκ των ουρανων λεγουσα ουτος εστιν ο υιος μου ο αγαπητος εν ω ευδοκησα
ylt (ylt) - Bible.com YLT98 plain UTF-8
1
And in those days cometh John the Baptist, proclaiming in the wilderness of Judea,
2
and saying, `Reform, for come nigh hath the reign of the heavens,'
3
for this is he who was spoken of by Isaiah the prophet, saying, `A voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, straight make ye His paths.'
4
And this John had his clothing of camel's hair, and a girdle of skin round his loins, and his nourishment was locusts and honey of the field.
5
Then were going forth unto him Jerusalem, and all Judea, and all the region round about the Jordan,
6
and they were baptized in the Jordan by him, confessing their sins.
7
And having seen many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming about his baptism, he said to them, `Brood of vipers! who did shew you to flee from the coming wrath?
8
bear, therefore, fruits worthy of the reformation,
9
and do not think to say in yourselves, A father we have--Abraham, for I say to you, that God is able out of these stones to raise children to Abraham,
10
and now also, the axe unto the root of the trees is laid, every tree therefore not bearing good fruit is hewn down, and to fire is cast.
11
`I indeed do baptize you with water to reformation, but he who after me is coming is mightier than I, of whom I am not worthy to bear the sandals, he shall baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire,
12
whose fan <FI>is<Fi> in his hand, and he will thoroughly cleanse his floor, and will gather his wheat to the storehouse, but the chaff he will burn with fire unquenchable.'
13
Then cometh Jesus from Galilee upon the Jordan, unto John to be baptized by him,
14
but John was forbidding him, saying, `I have need by thee to be baptized--and thou dost come unto me!'
15
But Jesus answering said to him, `Suffer now, for thus it is becoming to us to fulfil all righteousness,' then he doth suffer him.
16
And having been baptized, Jesus went up immediately from the water, and lo, opened to him were the heavens, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove, and coming upon him,
17
and lo, a voice out of the heavens, saying, `This is My Son--the Beloved, in whom I did delight.'
Explanations by Age Level
Explain Like I'm 5
A long, long time ago, there was nothing at all - no earth, no sky, no animals, no people. It was all dark and empty. But God was there! God is so powerful that He can make anything just by speaking. So God said "Let there be light!" and BOOM! There was light everywhere! God saw that the light was beautiful and good. He called the light "day" and the darkness "night." This was the very first day when God started making our wonderful world!
Explain Like I'm 10
Before anything existed - no planets, stars, or life - God decided to create the universe. The earth started out as a dark, empty place covered with water. But God's Spirit was there, ready to bring order and beauty to everything. When God spoke and said "Let there be light," light immediately appeared because God's words have incredible power. God looked at the light and was pleased with what He had made. He organized time by separating light (day) from darkness (night), creating the first 24-hour period. This shows us that God is organized and purposeful in everything He does.
Explain Like I'm 15
Genesis 1:1-5 establishes fundamental theological truths about God and creation. The Hebrew word "bara" (created) indicates creation from nothing (ex nihilo), demonstrating God's absolute sovereignty and power. The phrase "without form and void" (tohu wa-bohu) describes a state of chaos that God transforms into order. The Spirit of God "hovering" or "brooding" over the waters suggests active, caring involvement in creation. The creation of light before the sun (created on day 4) indicates that God Himself is the ultimate source of light and energy. The establishment of day and night creates the framework of time, showing that God operates within orderly patterns while transcending them. This passage refutes both atheistic materialism and pantheism, establishing that God is both transcendent (separate from creation) and immanent (actively involved in it).