The Book of Matthew - Part 05

The lesson on August 25, 2024 was part 5 of “The Book of Matthew” study. Wayne reviewed what we had learned in the previous lesson and proceeded to present Matthew chapter three to us. We are introduced to John the Baptist in verse 1. We looked at the Greek word for baptist “ὁ βαπτιστής, ” and was provided a list of verses where this is used (Matt. 3:1; 11:11-12; 14:2, 8; 16:14; 17:13; Mk. 6:24-25; 8:28; Lk. 7:20, 28, 33; 9:19). As those who follow right division of scripture, we know the prophecy that John was fulfilling from Isaiah 40:1-11 which was the Voice from the Wilderness. There was a 400 year span between the end of Malachi and John the “gift of Jehovah”. In Matthew 3:2 KJV we see John is saying “Repent ye:” This work in the Greek is “Μετανοεῖτε” and it means to turn around. A good example of how it should be interpreted is from Zechariah 1:3 KJV “Therefore say thou unto them, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Turn ye unto me, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will turn unto you, saith the LORD of hosts.” There are many examples in scripture water is used to identify a cleansing and turning a new direction (+Gen. 18:4; 24:32; Exod. 29:4; 30:18, 20; 40:12, 30; Lev. 1:9, 13; 14:8-9; 15:5-8, 10-11, 13, 16, 21-22, 27; 16:4, 24, 26, 28; 17:15; 22:6; Num. 8:7; 19:7-8, 19, 21; Deut. 23:11; Job 9:30; Jn. 13:5). The prophets show it to from Isaiah 1:16 , Zechariah 13:1 and Ezekiel 36:25 KJV. John was testifying that the Kingdom of Heaven was near.

The scripture reading was from Matthew 3:1-6 KJV “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.”