Matthew 3:11-12
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Loading ...Matthew 3:11-12
The text before us is certainly controversial and has been open to a variety of viewpoints. The common mistake is considering verses 11-12 independently of the context. There are a couple of things we must remember. First, John the Baptist began this speech in verse 7 to the Pharisees and Sadducees. John zeroed in on the coming judgment on the Jewish nation because they had not borne the fruit expected of them. Second, we must hear this text in the same way these Jews would have heard John. In other words, we must think “Jewish.” There is a tendency to read the text in a 21st century context instead of a 1st century context. Therefore, how did these Jews hear the words of John concerning One who would come and baptize them with the Holy Spirit and fire?In order to understand verse 11, notice that verse 12 is a commentary on what Jesus would do when He baptized with the Holy Spirit and fire. There is a positive and a negative. On one hand He would “gather His wheat into the barn.” This corresponds to the work of baptizing with the Holy Spirit. But He would also “burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” This corresponds to His work of baptizing with fire. John had said in verse 10 that every tree that did not bear good fruit would be cut down and thrown into the “fire.” Thus, “fire” in the text is a reference to judgment - in this case, judgment on Israel.
How did these Jews hear the words, “baptize you with the Holy Spirit”? In John 1:33, the Baptist had said, “He is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.” A studied Jew would have connected these words with prophecies such as Isaiah 32:14-15 and Joel 2:28-3:3 where God promised a renewal of blessings on Israel through the coming kingdom of the Messiah. God would renew His covenant with them and bring a new revelation that would provide a means for their salvation. At the same time, Joel spoke of judgment on the physical nation. These are the same ingredients the Baptist uses in his speech. The Messiah would bring both judgment on the physical nation and blessings on those who repented. Baptism with the Holy Spirit signifies immersing the believer in the blessings of the new kingdom and covenant.
Berry Kercheville
