Matthew 3:5-17 ▼

5 At that time they were going out to him—Jerusalem and all Judea and all the region around the Jordan.

6 And they were being baptized in the Jordan River by him, confessing their sins.

7 But having seen many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, “Offspring of vipers, who warned you? to flee from the coming wrath?

8 Therefore produce fruit worthy of repentance.

9 And do not think to say in yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as father.’ For I say to you? that out of these stones God is able to raise up children to Abraham.

10 And already the ax is laid to the root of the trees; therefore every tree not producing good fruit is cut down and is thrown into fire.

11 I indeed baptize you? in water unto repentance, but the One coming after me is mightier than I, of whom I am not sufficient to carry the sandals. He will baptize you? in the Holy Spirit and fire,

12 whose winnowing fork is in His hand, and He will thoroughly cleanse His threshing floor and will gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”

13 Then Jesus comes from Galilee to the Jordan to John to be baptized by him.

14 But John was preventing Him, saying, “I have need to be baptized by You, and You come to me?”

15 But answering, Jesus said to him, “Permit it presently; for thus it is fitting to us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he permits Him.

16 And having been baptized, Jesus immediately went up from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and He saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and coming upon Him.

17 And behold, a voice out of the heavens, saying, “This is My Son, the Beloved, in whom I was well pleased.”