FOLLOWING THE ORIGINAL AUTHOR'S INTENT AT THE PARAGRAPH LEVEL
This is a study guide commentary which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.
Read the chapter in one sitting. Identify the subjects. Compare your subject divisions with the five translations above. Paragraphing is not inspired, but it is the key to following the original author's intent, which is the heart of interpretation. Every paragraph has one and only one subject.
1. First paragraph
2. Second paragraph
3. Third paragraph
4. Etc.
CONTEXTUAL INSIGHTS TO Mat_3:1-17
A. Between Matthew 2, 3 are the silent years of Jesus' childhood. Except for one experience at the age of twelve, details about Jesus' childhood are not known. There has been much interest and speculation by believers. Several extra-canonical pseudepigraphic gospels record other specific events, which are supposed to have occurred during His adolescence, but these years are simply unrecorded in the Bible.
B. The parallel passages for Mat_3:1-12 are Mar_1:3-8, Luk_3:1-17, and Joh_1:6-8; Joh_1:19-28.
C. The parallel passages for Mat_3:13-17 are Mar_1:9-11, Luk_3:21-22, and Joh_1:31-34.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
This is a study guide commentary which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.
These discussion questions are provided to help you think through the major issues of this section of the book. They are meant to be thought provoking, not definitive.
1. Of which OT prophet does John the Baptist remind you? Why?
2. Define repentance.
3. Why does Matthew use the phrase "kingdom of heaven" and Mark and Luke use " kingdom of God" ?
4. What is the significance of the quote from Isaiah 40 (Mat_3:3)?
5. Why did the religious leaders want to be baptized? What did baptism symbolize in that day?
6. Why is the emphasis of John the Baptist's message on judgment and not on salvation?
7. Why was Jesus baptized with a baptism of repentance?
8. What is the significance of God speaking out of heaven? Identify the two OT sources of the Father's quote and explain their significance.