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Matthew 3:5-12

Then people from Jerusalem, all of Judea, and all the region around the Jordan went out to him. They were baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins. 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? Therefore produce fruit worthy of repentance! 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.

“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. 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. 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.”

World English Bible · Public Domain
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Matthew 3:5-12 sits inside this longer paragraph.

Now John himself wore clothing made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. Then people from Jerusalem, all of Judea, and all the region around the Jordan went out to him. They were baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins. 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? Therefore produce fruit worthy of repentance! 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.

“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. 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. 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.”

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Parallel Translations

  • WEB World English Bible

    Then people from Jerusalem, all of Judea, and all the region around the Jordan went out to him.

    They were baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins.

    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?

    Therefore produce fruit worthy of repentance!

    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.

    “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.

    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.

    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.”

  • TYNDALE Tyndale New Testament (1534)

    Then went oute to hym Ierusalem and all Iury and all the region roude aboute Iorda

    and were baptised of him in Iorda confessynge their synnes

    When he sawe many of the Pharises and of the Saduces come to hys baptism he sayde vnto the: O generacion of vipers who hath taught you to fle from the vengeauce to come?

    Brynge forth therfore the frutes belongynge to repentaunce.

    And se that the ons thynke not to saye in your selues we haue Abraham to oure father. For I saye vnto you that God is able of these stones to rayse vp chyldern vnto Abraham.

    Euen nowe is the axe put vnto the rote of the trees: soo that every tree which bringeth not forthe goode frute is hewe doune and cast into the fyre.

    I baptise you in water in toke of repentaunce: but he that cometh after me is myghtier then I whose shues I am not worthy to beare. He shall baptise you with the holy gost and with fyre:

    which hath also his fan in his hond and will pourge his floure and gadre the wheet into his garner and will burne the chaffe with vnquecheable fyre.

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  • GNV Geneva Bible (1599)

    Then went out to him Ierusalem and all Iudea, and all the region rounde about Iordan.

    And they were baptized of him in Iordan, confessing their sinnes.

    Now when he sawe many of the Pharises, and of the Sadduces come to his baptisme, he said vnto them, O generations of vipers, who hath forewarned you to flee from the anger to come?

    Bring foorth therefore fruite worthy amendment of life.

    And thinke not to say with your selues, We haue Abraham to our father: for I say vnto you, that God is able euen of these stones to raise vp children vnto Abraham.

    And now also is the axe put to the roote of the trees: therfore euery tree which bringeth not forth good fruit, is hewen downe, and cast into ye fire.

    In deede I baptize you with water to amendment of life, but he that commeth after me, is mightier then I, whose shoes I am not worthie to beare: hee will baptize you with the holy Ghost, and with fire.

    Which hath his fanne in his hand, and wil make cleane his floore, and gather his wheate into his garner, but will burne vp the chaffe with vnquenchable fire.

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Cross-references (198)

  • Isaiah 4:4 (v11) when the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and shall have purged the blood of Jerusalem from within it, by…
  • Luke 3:8 (vv8–9) Therefore produce fruits worthy of repentance, and don’t begin to say among yourselves, ‘We have Abraham for our father;’ for I tell you…
  • Luke 3:16 (vv6, 11) John answered them all, “I indeed baptize you with water, but he comes who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy…
  • John 15:6 (v10) If a man doesn’t remain in me, he is thrown out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them, throw them into the fire, and they are…
  • Malachi 4:1 (vv10, 12) “For, behold, the day comes, it burns as a furnace; and all the proud, and all who work wickedness, will be stubble; and the day that comes…
Show all 100 cross-references
  • Acts 1:5 (vv6, 11) For John indeed baptized in water, but you will be baptized in the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”
  • Luke 3:9 (v10) Even now the ax also lies at the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that doesn’t produce good fruit is cut down, and thrown into the…
  • Acts 26:20 (v8) but declared first to them of Damascus, at Jerusalem, and throughout all the country of Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that they should…
  • 2 Peter 1:4-8 (v8) by which he has granted to us his precious and exceedingly great promises; that through these you may become partakers of the divine…
  • Matthew 13:30 (v12) Let both grow together until the harvest, and in the harvest time I will tell the reapers, “First, gather up the darnel weeds, and bind…
  • Matthew 7:19 (v10) Every tree that doesn’t grow good fruit is cut down, and thrown into the fire.
  • Romans 9:7-8 (v9) Neither, because they are Abraham’s offspring, are they all children. But, “your offspring will be accounted as from Isaac.” That is, it is…
  • Galatians 5:22-23 (v8) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things…
  • Zechariah 13:9 (v11) I will bring the third part into the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will test them like gold is tested. They will…
  • John 15:2 (vv10, 12) Every branch in me that doesn’t bear fruit, he takes away. Every branch that bears fruit, he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.
  • Malachi 3:2-4 (v11) “But who can endure the day of his coming? And who will stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner’s fire, and like launderers’ soap;…
  • Luke 3:17 (v12) whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly cleanse his threshing floor, and will gather the wheat into his barn; but he will burn up…
  • Luke 13:6-9 (v10) He spoke this parable. “A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it, and found none. He said to…
  • Acts 2:2-4 (v11) Suddenly there came from the sky a sound like the rushing of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. Tongues…
  • Galatians 3:27-29 (v9) For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man,…
  • Mark 1:7-8 (v11) He preached, saying, “After me comes he who is mightier than I, the thong of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and loosen. I…
  • Ephesians 5:9 (v8) for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth,
  • Philippians 1:11 (v8) being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
  • Isaiah 41:16 (v12) You will winnow them, and the wind will carry them away, and the whirlwind will scatter them. You will rejoice in Yahweh. You will glory in…
  • Titus 3:5 (v11) not by works of righteousness which we did ourselves, but according to his mercy, he saved us through the washing of regeneration and…
  • Isaiah 1:16-17 (v8) Wash yourselves. Make yourself clean. Put away the evil of your doings from before my eyes. Cease to do evil. Learn to do well. Seek…
  • Jeremiah 17:8 (v10) For he will be as a tree planted by the waters, who spreads out its roots by the river, and will not fear when heat comes, but its leaf…
  • Jeremiah 51:2 (v12) I will send to Babylon strangers, who will winnow her. They will empty her land; for in the day of trouble they will be against her all…
  • Ezekiel 15:2-7 (v10) “Son of man, what is the vine tree more than any tree, the vine-branch which is among the trees of the forest? Will wood be taken of it to…
  • Malachi 3:1-3 (v10) “Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me; and the Lord, whom you seek, will suddenly come to his temple; and the…
  • Acts 11:15-16 (v11) As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them, even as on us at the beginning. I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, ‘John…
  • Psalms 1:4 (v12) The wicked are not so, but are like the chaff which the wind drives away.
  • Jeremiah 36:3 (v8) It may be that the house of Judah will hear all the evil which I intend to do to them; that they may each return from his evil way; that I…
  • Matthew 13:41 (v12) The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will gather out of his Kingdom all things that cause stumbling, and those who do iniquity,
  • Psalms 92:13-14 (v10) They are planted in Yahweh’s house. They will flourish in our God’s courts. They will still produce fruit in old age. They will be full of…
  • Jeremiah 26:13 (v8) Now therefore amend your ways and your doings, and obey Yahweh your God’s voice; then Yahweh will relent from the evil that he has…
  • Matthew 21:28-30 (v8) But what do you think? A man had two sons, and he came to the first, and said, ‘Son, go work today in my vineyard.’ He answered, ‘I will…
  • John 1:33-34 (v11) I didn’t recognize him, but he who sent me to baptize in water said to me, ‘On whomever you will see the Spirit descending and remaining on…
  • John 8:33 (v9) They answered him, “We are Abraham’s offspring, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How do you say, ‘You will be made free’?”
  • Romans 2:4-7 (v8) Or do you despise the riches of his goodness, forbearance, and patience, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance? But…
  • 1 Corinthians 12:13 (v11) For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether bond or free; and were all given to drink into one…
  • Matthew 12:34 (v7) You offspring of vipers, how can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks.
  • John 1:26-27 (v11) John answered them, “I baptize in water, but among you stands one whom you don’t know. He is the one who comes after me, who is preferred…
  • Acts 13:26 (v9) Brothers, children of the stock of Abraham, and those among you who fear God, the word of this salvation is sent out to you.
  • Romans 4:1 (v9) What then will we say that Abraham, our forefather, has found according to the flesh?
  • Galatians 4:22-31 (v9) For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the servant, and one by the free woman. However, the son by the servant was born…
  • Hebrews 6:8 (v10) but if it bears thorns and thistles, it is rejected and near being cursed, whose end is to be burned.
  • 1 Peter 4:17-18 (v10) For the time has come for judgment to begin with the household of God. If it begins first with us, what will happen to those who don’t obey…
  • Psalms 1:3 (v10) He will be like a tree planted by the streams of water, that produces its fruit in its season, whose leaf also does not wither. Whatever he…
  • Jeremiah 7:3-7 (v8) Yahweh of Armies, the God of Israel says, “Amend your ways and your doings, and I will cause you to dwell in this place. Don’t trust in…
  • Jeremiah 7:20 (v12) Therefore the Lord Yahweh says: “Behold, my anger and my wrath will be poured out on this place, on man, on animal, on the trees of the…
  • Malachi 3:2-3 (v12) “But who can endure the day of his coming? And who will stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner’s fire, and like launderers’ soap;…
  • Matthew 3:6 (v11) They were baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins.
  • Matthew 21:19 (v10) Seeing a fig tree by the road, he came to it, and found nothing on it but leaves. He said to it, “Let there be no fruit from you forever!”…
  • Matthew 22:23 (v7) On that day Sadducees (those who say that there is no resurrection) came to him. They asked him,
  • Matthew 23:33 (v7) You serpents, you offspring of vipers, how will you escape the judgment of Gehenna?
  • Luke 16:24 (v9) He cried and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue!…
  • Romans 5:9 (v7) Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we will be saved from God’s wrath through him.
  • 1 Thessalonians 1:10 (v7) and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead: Jesus, who delivers us from the wrath to come.
  • Mark 1:5 (vv5–6) All the country of Judea and all those of Jerusalem went out to him. They were baptized by him in the Jordan river, confessing their sins.
  • Psalms 35:5 (v12) Let them be as chaff before the wind, Yahweh’s angel driving them on.
  • Psalms 80:15-16 (v10) the stock which your right hand planted, the branch that you made strong for yourself. It’s burned with fire. It’s cut down. They perish at…
  • Isaiah 27:11 (v10) When its boughs are withered, they will be broken off. The women will come and set them on fire, for they are a people of no understanding.…
  • Isaiah 61:3 (v10) to provide for those who mourn in Zion, to give to them a garland for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the…
  • Jeremiah 15:7 (v12) I have winnowed them with a fan in the gates of the land. I have bereaved them of children. I have destroyed my people. They didn’t return…
  • Ezekiel 33:24 (v9) “Son of man, those who inhabit the waste places in the land of Israel speak, saying, ‘Abraham was one, and he inherited the land; but we…
  • Matthew 8:11-12 (v9) I tell you that many will come from the east and the west, and will sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the Kingdom of Heaven, but…
  • Matthew 16:6 (v7) Jesus said to them, “Take heed and beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”
  • Matthew 23:13-28 (v7) “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you devour widows’ houses, and as a pretense you make long prayers. Therefore you will…
  • Mark 7:21 (v9) For from within, out of the hearts of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, sexual sins, murders, thefts,
  • Mark 9:43-48 (v12) If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed, rather than having your two hands to go…
  • Luke 1:17 (v11) He will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, ‘to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,’ and the disobedient to the…
  • Luke 5:22 (v9) But Jesus, perceiving their thoughts, answered them, “Why are you reasoning so in your hearts?
  • Luke 23:31 (v10) For if they do these things in the green tree, what will be done in the dry?”
  • John 8:39-40 (v9) They answered him, “Our father is Abraham.” Jesus said to them, “If you were Abraham’s children, you would do the works of Abraham. But now…
  • John 8:53 (v9) Are you greater than our father, Abraham, who died? The prophets died. Who do you make yourself out to be?”
  • Acts 19:4 (v11) Paul said, “John indeed baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe in the one who would come…
  • Acts 19:18 (v6) Many also of those who had believed came, confessing, and declaring their deeds.
  • Romans 1:18 (v7) For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,
  • 2 Corinthians 7:10-11 (v8) For godly sorrow produces repentance to salvation, which brings no regret. But the sorrow of the world produces death. For behold, this…
  • Hebrews 10:28-31 (v10) A man who disregards Moses’ law dies without compassion on the word of two or three witnesses. How much worse punishment do you think he…
  • Job 21:18 (v12) How often is it that they are as stubble before the wind, as chaff that the storm carries away?
  • Isaiah 1:31 (v12) The strong will be like tinder, and his work like a spark. They will both burn together, and no one will quench them.”
  • Isaiah 5:2-7 (v10) He dug it up, gathered out its stones, planted it with the choicest vine, built a tower in the middle of it, and also cut out a wine press…
  • Isaiah 5:24 (v12) Therefore as the tongue of fire devours the stubble, and as the dry grass sinks down in the flame, so their root shall be as rottenness,…
  • Isaiah 17:13 (v12) The nations will rush like the rushing of many waters: but he will rebuke them, and they will flee far off, and will be chased like the…
  • Isaiah 30:24 (v12) The oxen likewise and the young donkeys that till the ground will eat savory feed, which has been winnowed with the shovel and with the…
  • Isaiah 66:24 (v12) “They will go out, and look at the dead bodies of the men who have transgressed against me; for their worm will not die, nor will their…
  • Jeremiah 6:10 (v7) To whom should I speak and testify, that they may hear? Behold, their ear is uncircumcised, and they can’t listen. Behold, Yahweh’s word…
  • Jeremiah 17:27 (v12) But if you will not listen to me to make the Sabbath day holy, and not to bear a burden and enter in at the gates of Jerusalem on the…
  • Ezekiel 20:47-48 (v12) Tell the forest of the South, ‘Hear Yahweh’s word: The Lord Yahweh says, “Behold, I will kindle a fire in you, and it will devour every…
  • Matthew 3:13-16 (v6) Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. But John would have hindered him, saying, “I need to be baptized…
  • Matthew 13:43 (v12) Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the Kingdom of their Father. He who has ears to hear, let him hear.
  • Matthew 13:49-50 (v12) So will it be in the end of the world. The angels will come and separate the wicked from among the righteous, and will cast them into the…
  • Matthew 16:11-12 (v7) How is it that you don’t perceive that I didn’t speak to you concerning bread? But beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”…
  • Matthew 21:32 (v8) For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you didn’t believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him. When…
  • Mark 1:4 (v11) John came baptizing in the wilderness and preaching the baptism of repentance for forgiveness of sins.
  • Luke 7:39 (v9) Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw it, he said to himself, “This man, if he were a prophet, would have perceived who and what…
  • Luke 19:40 (v9) He answered them, “I tell you that if these were silent, the stones would cry out.”
  • John 1:30 (v11) This is he of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who is preferred before me, for he was before me.’

100 distinct cross-references across this passage (198 total citations).

Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)

Explain this passage (23 sources)

Historical commentary, presented as a primary source — not an endorsement.

Geneva Bible translators 1599 · Public Domain On vv5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12 The people of Jerusalem.

The people of Jerusalem.

Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain.

John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain On vv5–12 5 Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all…
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain On vv5–12 The preacher being described, the evangelist proceedeth to tell…
William Burkitt 1703 · Public Domain On vv5, 6, 7, 10, 11, 12 Observe here, The great encouragement which John had in…
Matthew Henry 1710 · Public Domain On v7 The doctrine John preached was that of repentance, in…
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain On vv5–12 Then went out to him Jerusalem,.... The uncommon appearance…
John Wesley 1765 · Public Domain On vv6–12 Confessing their sins - Of their own accord; freely…
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain On vv5, 6, 7, 10, 11, 12 Verse 5. Jordan] Many of the best MSS. and…
Joseph Benson 1811 · Public Domain On vv5–12 Mat 3:5. Then went out to him Jerusalem —…
Albert Barnes 1834 · Public Domain On vv5–12 Jerusalem - The people of Jerusalem.
Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary 1859 · Public Domain On vv5–12 So great was the celebrity of St. John’s sanctity,…
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown 1871 · Public Domain On vv5–12 Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judea,…
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain On vv5–12 5. Went out — Left their homes and went…
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain On vv6–12 6. baptized] John introduced no new custom, for ceremonial…
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain On vv5–12 (5) All the region round about Jordan.—This would include…
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain On vv5–12 Then. Not merely temporal, as probably in ver. 13,…
The Biblical Illustrator 1887 · Public Domain On vv5–12 All the region round about Jordan.
B. W. Johnson 1891 · Public Domain On vv5–12 5. There went out to him Jerusalem and all…
William B. Godbey 1900 · Public Domain On vv7–8 Mat 3:7-8; Luk 3:7-8. Among the teeming myriads, here…
C. I. Scofield 1917 · Public Domain On vv6–7 Sin. (See Scofield "Rom 3:23").
Paul E. Kretzmann 1924 · Public Domain On vv5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12 The effect of his preaching:
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On vv7, 10 General Information:
Tyndale Open Study Notes 2022 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On vv5, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12 3:5-6 John’s ministry became so popular that many people…
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