Matthew 3
1 In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,
2 And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
"Repentance" = a change of heart/mind. A change of actions in your life. A willingness to seek out God's Word and live it. I see so many turn from God and very few turn to Him anymore. The finish line is in view, but they just give up so easily. I stopped questioning why and concentrate on those that hunger for The Truth. When they're ready to get back in the race, they can always REPENT and start again.
3 For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make His paths straight.
Isaiah 40:3-5 3 The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. 4 And every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain: 5 And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.
4 And the same John had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey.
These things would be the identifying features of a prophet.
5 Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan,
They came from all around to hear and see John the Baptist.
6 And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.
Those that came and [really listened] were baptized.
7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
These vipers are the offspring of the serpent. They're the kenites.
8 Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:
John is telling these kenites to change their ways now or suffer the wrath that will come on them.
9 And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.
"Abraham" = "father of many nations" in the Hebrew.
10 And now also the ax is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
These "trees" are a representation of people just as it was in the garden in The Book of Genesis. Evil people will be done away with. Heaven is called such because there won't be any evil in it.
11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance. but He that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:
12 Whose fan is in His hand, and He will throughly purge His floor, and gather His wheat into the garner; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.
The "wheat" = those that believed in Him and followed Him in the actions. The "chaff" = the leftover that is of no use for nothing. They will be done away with.
13 Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him.
The cousin of Christ Jesus was John the Baptist and Christ Jesus comes to John showing humility and love for what John has been doing.
14 But John forbad Him, saying, I have need to be baptized of Thee, and comest Thou to me?
John shows his humility knowing Christ Jesus is far more than his cousin, but The Savior of the world.
15 And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered Him.
Baptize = To submerge. John was baptizing for the remission of sins at the time and Christ Jesus time was approaching that His blood would become The Way to fulfill all righteousness.
16 And Jesus, when He was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon Him:
17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.