The Gospel According to Matthew – Chapter 3
Repentance Proclaimed, the True Israel Revealed, and the Trinity Made Manifest
1. John Appears by Divine Appointment
“In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judea.” (Matt 3:1)
Matthew does not introduce John as a religious innovator, but as a man sent. He appears “in those days” because God’s time has arrived. The wilderness is not accidental: it is the place of testing, purification, and encounter.
St John Chrysostom notes that John preaches outside the city to draw people away from complacency and into conversion.
2. The First Word: Repent
“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (v. 2)
John’s message is not encouragement but command. Repentance is not self-improvement; it is a turning of the whole life toward God. The kingdom is not distant or theoretical—it is at hand because the King Himself is near.
This establishes the permanent pattern of the Gospel: conversion precedes communion.
3. The Voice Foretold
“The voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord.” (v. 3)
John does not speak on his own authority. He is the promised forerunner, sent to prepare a people for the Lord’s arrival. Preparation means removing obstacles—pride, hypocrisy, presumption.
St Augustine explains that John prepares the way not by paving roads, but by straightening hearts.
4. A Prophetic Life
“Now John wore a garment of camel’s hair…” (v. 4)
John’s clothing and diet place him firmly in the line of the prophets. His life matches his message. He does not soften the word of God by comfort, nor does he preach what he does not live.
True prophecy is verified by ascetic obedience.
5. Confession Before Cleansing
“They were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.” (v. 6)
John’s baptism is not sacramental rebirth, but penitential preparation. Confession comes first. Sin is named openly. Grace is not presumed.
The Church retains this order: confession precedes absolution; repentance opens the door to mercy.
6. The False Security Exposed
“You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?” (v. 7)
John speaks with severity because the danger is real. Descent from Abraham is not enough. Religious status cannot replace conversion.
St Gregory the Great teaches that harsh words can be an act of mercy when souls are in danger.
7. Fruit Worthy of Repentance
“Bear fruit that befits repentance.” (v. 8)
Repentance is not a feeling. It must bear fruit. Changed conduct is the proof of a changed heart.
“God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham.” (v. 9)
God’s covenant is not threatened by human failure. He creates a people by grace, not by bloodline.
8. Judgment Is Real
“Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees.” (v. 10)
John speaks plainly: judgment is imminent. Mercy is offered, but it must be received. Sterile religion will not stand.
The Gospel never removes judgment; it reveals the way to escape it.
9. The Greater One Is Coming
“He who is coming after me is mightier than I.” (v. 11)
John insists on the difference between himself and Christ. He baptizes with water; the Coming One baptizes with the Holy Spirit and fire.
St Cyril of Jerusalem teaches that this fire both purifies the righteous and judges the unrepentant.
10. The Winnowing Fork
“His winnowing fork is in his hand…” (v. 12)
Christ will separate truth from falsehood, wheat from chaff. Neutrality is an illusion. The Messiah does not merely gather; He also judges.
Fire here is not metaphorical softness. It is divine holiness.
11. Jesus Comes to the Jordan
“Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John.” (v. 13)
The sinless One approaches a baptism of repentance. This is not for His sake, but for ours. He enters the waters to sanctify them.
St Ambrose teaches that Christ was baptized not to be cleansed, but to cleanse.
12. John’s Resistance
“I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” (v. 14)
John recognises the truth instantly. Superiority bows to humility. The greater submits to the lesser, not from necessity but from love.
13. “To Fulfil All Righteousness”
“Let it be so now; for thus it is fitting for us to fulfil all righteousness.” (v. 15)
Christ obeys the Father’s will perfectly. He stands where sinners stand, though He is without sin. This is the beginning of His public identification with those He came to save.
Righteousness here means complete obedience.
14. The Heavens Are Opened
“The heavens were opened to him.” (v. 16)
What was closed by sin is opened by obedience. Christ’s descent into the water is answered by heaven’s opening.
The barrier between God and man begins to fall.
15. The Spirit Descends
“He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove.” (v. 16)
The Spirit rests upon Christ, not briefly, but permanently. The dove recalls peace after judgment and the beginning of a new creation.
St Irenaeus of Lyons teaches that the Spirit descends to remain with the Son and, through Him, with the Church.
16. The Voice of the Father
“This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” (v. 17)
The Father speaks audibly. The Son stands revealed. The Spirit descends visibly. The Trinity is manifested, not explained away.
This is not symbol. This is revelation.
St Athanasius insists that this scene reveals the true doctrine of God: one God, three Persons.
Key Doctrinal Themes in Matthew 3
| Theme | Catholic Truth |
| Repentance | Required before the kingdom |
| Judgment | Real and imminent |
| Conversion | Proven by fruit |
| Christ’s Humility | The sinless One stands with sinners |
| Baptism | Prepared, then sanctified by Christ |
| Trinity | Publicly revealed |
| Obedience | The heart of righteousness |
Christ at the Centre of Matthew 3
John → the forerunner
Jordan → the sanctified waters
Repentance → the doorway
Spirit → the anointing
Father → the witness
Son → the obedient Messiah
St Augustine summarises:
“The Lord was baptized not because He needed cleansing, but because we needed hope.”
Closing Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ,
You entered the waters for our sake
and revealed the life of the Trinity.
Grant us true repentance,
fruitful obedience,
and reverence for Your holiness.
Open our hearts as the heavens were opened,
that we may live as children of the Father,
sealed by the Spirit,
and faithful to You, the beloved Son.
Amen.
St. Mary's, St. John Bosco and St. Edward's 