Chapter 3 of the Gospel of Matthew in the King James Version (KJV) recounts the ministry of John the Baptist, who was a prophet and the forerunner of Jesus Christ. In this chapter, John appears in the wilderness of Judea, preaching a message of repentance and baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
The chapter begins by describing John’s appearance, wearing clothing made of camel’s hair and a leather belt around his waist. People from Jerusalem, Judea, and the region around the Jordan River come to him, confessing their sins and receiving baptism.
John sternly rebukes the religious leaders, the Pharisees and Sadducees, calling them a “generation of vipers” and urging them to bring forth fruits worthy of repentance rather than relying on their heritage. He warns them of the coming judgment, where the unfruitful trees will be cut down and thrown into the fire.
John then proclaims that he baptizes with water, but one greater than him is coming, who will baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire. He refers to this person as the Messiah, the Christ, who will bring judgment and gather the righteous while burning up the chaff.
The chapter concludes with the baptism of Jesus by John, which marks the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry. As Jesus comes up out of the water, the heavens open, and the Spirit of God descends like a dove, and a voice from heaven declares, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”