Here’s how the study works: Read the chapter mentioned in the heading several times during the week and share any words, thoughts, verses that stood out to you. Having a week for a chapter creates the opportunity to reread it several times and make additional comments as you feel inclined as well as make comments on other people’s insights.
v.1 In those days John the Baptist came…
30 years has passed between chapter 2 and 3, would love to know more about this time!
v.1 In those days John the Baptist came…
30 years has passed between chapter 2 and 3, would love to know more about this time!
v.3 This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: “A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.’”
In Isaiah 40:3 this was referring to God bringing the Jews back to the Promised Land from their exile in Babylon. Here it refers to the Jews coming back into right relationship with God. Using this prophecy suggests that God wanted them to “move” back to the Promised Land as in “repent” and come back to where they should be spiritually, that is return to wholehearted allegiance to God.
v.3 This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: “A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.’”
In Isaiah 40:3 this was referring to God bringing the Jews back to the Promised Land from their exile in Babylon. Here it refers to the Jews coming back into right relationship with God. Using this prophecy suggests that God wanted them to “move” back to the Promised Land as in “repent” and come back to where they should be spiritually, that is return to wholehearted allegiance to God.
v.5 People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan.
John was baptizing Jews. This was unusual as generally it was only Gentiles who were baptized when they accepted Judaism. Interesting that people responded to John’s strong message of repentance, 400 years without a prophet – people were hungry for God.
v.5 People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan.
John was baptizing Jews. This was unusual as generally it was only Gentiles who were baptized when they accepted Judaism. Interesting that people responded to John’s strong message of repentance, 400 years without a prophet – people were hungry for God.
v.7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them: “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?
“You brood of vipers!” This is also a phrase Jesus used. Christians wouldn’t dream of using such a phrase today for fear of offending people. Seems we have become very passive.
v.7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them: “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?
“You brood of vipers!” This is also a phrase Jesus used. Christians wouldn’t dream of using such a phrase today for fear of offending people. Seems we have become very passive.
v.9 And do not think you can say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham.
The Jews felt a sense of entitlement because they were children of Abraham or trusted in their own righteousness but John is telling them they need repent in order to be part of God’s kingdom.
v.9 And do not think you can say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham.
The Jews felt a sense of entitlement because they were children of Abraham or trusted in their own righteousness but John is telling them they need repent in order to be part of God’s kingdom.