Matthew 3:6

Matthew 3:6, in plain English

People confessed their sins and were baptized in the Jordan River. It was a public declaration: I'm turning my life around. I'm getting ready for what God is about to do.

Why it's here

Being baptized wasn't private or easy. It meant standing in a river in front of others and admitting you needed to change. It took real humility.

Who's speaking

Matthew describes the baptisms taking place.

Where it sits in the story

The Jordan River becomes a place of new beginnings, just as it was when Israel first crossed into the Promised Land.

The scholarly reading

The baptism (baptizo, to immerse) in the Jordan River, accompanied by confession of sins (exomologoumenoi), represented a public act of repentance. This was distinct from Jewish ritual immersion (mikveh) in its unique connection to eschatological preparation.

Language and setting

Jewish purification rites used standing water (mikvaot). John's innovation of baptizing in flowing river water, combined with confession, created a new ritual symbolizing radical spiritual cleansing.

Voice

Matthew, describing the baptismal practice.

Significance

The Jordan River, where Israel first entered the Promised Land under Joshua, becomes the site of spiritual renewal before the greater Joshua (Jesus) arrives.

4John wore a garment of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey.

5People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region around the Jordan.

6Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.

7But when John saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his place of baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?

8Produce fruit, then, in keeping with repentance.

Read all of Matthew 3 — John the Baptist thunders from the desert, calling an entire nation to repentance. Then the heavens themselves split open.