The Preaching of John the Baptist
1 For 15 years3.1 For 15 years: This was either a.d. 28 or 29, and Jesus was about 30 years old (see 3.23). Emperor Tiberius had ruled that part of the world. Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod3.1 Herod: Herod Antipas, the son of Herod the Great. was the ruler of Galilee. Herod’s brother, Philip, was the ruler in the countries of Iturea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias was the ruler of Abilene. 2 Annas and Caiaphas were the Jewish high priests.3.2 Annas and Caiaphas … high priests: Annas was high priest from a.d. 6 until 15. His son-in-law Caiaphas was high priest from a.d. 18 until 37.
At that time God spoke to Zechariah’s son John, who was living in the desert. 3 So John went along the Jordan Valley, telling the people, "Turn back to God and be baptized! Then your sins will be forgiven." 4 Is 40.3-5 (LXX).Isaiah the prophet wrote about John when he said,
"In the desert
someone is shouting,
‘Get the road ready
for the Lord!
Make a straight path
for him.
5 Fill up every valley
and level every mountain
and hill.
Straighten the crooked paths
and smooth out
the rough roads.
6 Then everyone will see
the saving power of God.’ "
7 Mt 12.34;23.33.Crowds of people came out to be baptized, but John said to them, "You bunch of snakes! Who warned you to run from the coming judgment? 8 Jn 8.33.Do something to show that you really have given up your sins. Don’t start saying you belong to Abraham’s family. God can turn these stones into children for Abraham.3.8 children for Abraham: The Jewish people thought they were God’s chosen people because of God’s promises to their ancestor Abraham.9 Mt 7.19.An ax is ready to cut the trees down at their roots. Any tree that doesn’t produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into a fire."
10 The crowds asked John, "What should we do?"
11 John told them, "If you have two coats, give one to someone who doesn’t have any. If you have food, share it with someone else."
12 Lk 7.29.When tax collectors3.12 tax collectors: These were usually Jewish people who paid the Romans for the right to collect taxes. They were hated by other Jews who thought of them as traitors to their country and to their religion. came to be baptized, they asked John, "Teacher, what should we do?"
13 John told them, "Don’t make people pay more than they owe."
14 Some soldiers asked him, "And what about us? What do we have to do?"
John told them, "Don’t force people to pay money to make you leave them alone. Be satisfied with your pay."
15 Everyone became excited and wondered, "Could John be the Messiah?"
16 John said, "I am just baptizing with water. But someone more powerful is going to come, and I am not good enough even to untie his sandals.3.16 untie his sandals: This was the duty of a slave. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. 17 His threshing fork3.17 threshing fork: After Jewish farmers had trampled out the grain, they used a large fork to pitch the grain and the husks into the air. Wind would blow away the light husks, and the grain would fall back to the ground, where it could be gathered up. is in his hand, and he is ready to separate the wheat from the husks. He will store the wheat in his barn and burn the husks with a fire that never goes out."
18 In many different ways John preached the good news to the people.