John the Baptist Repentance Lesson Explained

ntroduction to the Gospel of Matthew

📖 Teacher’s Outline: Matthew 3:1–4:11

Opening Statement

“Today we journey through the ministry of John the Baptist and the testing of Jesus in the wilderness. These passages remind us of the call to repentance, the confirmation of Christ’s identity, and the victory of God’s Word over temptation. As we study verse by verse, may we see both the preparation for Christ’s ministry and the example He sets for us in overcoming trials.”

Matthew 3:1–6 – John’s Ministry of Repentance

Verse 1: ¹ In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, John preaches in the wilderness of Judaea.
- Cross‑ref: Isaiah 40:3 – 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.
- Insight: God often raises His messengers outside of worldly centers of power.
- Discussion: Why does God sometimes use unlikely places or people to bring His message?
Verse 2:² And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. “Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
- Cross‑ref: Acts 17:30 – ³⁰ And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:
- Insight: Repentance is not optional; it is the doorway to the kingdom.
- Discussion: What does true repentance look like in daily life?
- Application: Be willing to listen for God’s call, even in unexpected or uncomfortable places. Spiritual renewal often begins outside our comfort zone. Consider how you can make space for God’s message in your daily life.
Verse 3: 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. Fulfillment of prophecy—John as the forerunner.
- Cross‑ref: Malachi 3:1 – ¹ Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts.
- Insight: John’s ministry validates the reliability of God’s Word.
- Discussion: How does fulfilled prophecy strengthen our faith?
Application: Trust that God’s promises are reliable and will be fulfilled. Reflect on ways God has worked through history and in your own life to prepare you for new seasons.
Verse 4: 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. John’s clothing and diet—camel’s hair, locusts, wild honey.
- Cross‑ref: 2 Kings 1:8 – ⁸ And they answered him, He was an hairy man, and girt with a girdle of leather about his loins. And he said, It is Elijah the Tishbite. Elijah described similarly.
- Insight: His lifestyle reflected separation and simplicity.
- Discussion: What can John’s example teach us about living with spiritual focus?
Application: Evaluate your priorities—are you focused on spiritual growth or distracted by material things? Simplicity can help you focus on what matters most.
Verses 5–6: ⁵ Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan, ⁶ And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins. People confess sins and are baptized.
- Cross‑ref: Acts 19:4 – ⁴ Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.
- Insight: Public confession shows humility and readiness for God’s kingdom.
- Discussion: Why is confession an important part of repentance?
- Application: Practice humility and honesty about your shortcomings. Publicly committing to change can strengthen your resolve and encourage others.

Matthew 3:7–12 – Warning to the Religious Leaders

Verses 7–8: 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? ⁸ Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance: John rebukes Pharisees and Sadducees.
- Cross-ref: Luke 3:8 – ⁸ Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin 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.
- Insight: Repentance must bear fruit, not just words.
- Discussion: How can we guard against empty religion today?
- Application: Let your daily actions reflect your faith. Ask yourself: What evidence of spiritual growth is visible in my life?
Verses 9–10: 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. ¹⁰ And now also the axe 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. God can raise children of Abraham from stones.
- Cross‑ref: Romans 9:6–8 – ⁶ Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel: ⁷ Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. ⁸ That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed. Not all Israel are of Israel.
- Insight: Heritage does not guarantee salvation.
- Discussion: What false securities do people rely on instead of Christ?
- Application: Examine your motives—are your actions genuine or just for show? True faith is shown by real change, not outward status or tradition.
- Application: Don’t depend on family background, social status, or religious tradition for spiritual security. Cultivate a personal, obedient relationship with God.
Verses 11–12: 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. John contrasts his baptism with Christ’s.
- Cross‑ref: Acts 2:4 – ⁴ And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. Baptism with the Holy Ghost.
- Insight: Christ brings both cleansing and judgment.
- Discussion: How does the Spirit’s baptism transform believers?
- Application: Prepare your heart for God’s transforming work. Expect that following Jesus will bring both empowerment and challenge.

Matthew 3:13–17 – The Baptism of Jesus

Verses 13–15: ¹³ Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. ¹⁴ But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? 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. Jesus submits to baptism.
- Cross‑ref: Philippians 2:7–8 – ⁷ But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: ⁸ And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Christ humbled Himself.
- Insight: Jesus identifies with sinners though He is sinless.
- Discussion: Why was it important for Jesus to be baptized?
- Application: Follow Jesus’ example of humility and obedience, even when it’s not required or expected. Sometimes, doing what’s right means identifying with others and submitting to God’s plan.
Verses 16–17: 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. The Spirit descends, the Father speaks.
- Cross‑ref: John 1:32–34 – ³² And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him. ³³ And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost. ³⁴ And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God. Spirit descending like a dove.
- Insight: A clear Trinitarian moment—Father, Son, Spirit together.
- Discussion: How does this event affirm Jesus’ divine mission?
- Application: Seek your identity and purpose in God’s affirmation, not in the approval of others. Remember that God’s love and pleasure in you is foundational.

Matthew 4:1–11 – The Temptation of Jesus

Verse 1: ¹Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. Jesus led by the Spirit into the wilderness.
- Cross‑ref: Hebrews 4:15 – ¹⁵ For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Christ tempted yet without sin.
- Insight: Temptation is part of God’s refining process.
- Discussion: Why does God allow His children to face temptation?
- Application: Expect spiritual testing after moments of affirmation or growth. Trials are opportunities to strengthen your faith and character.
Verses 2–4: ³ And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. ⁴ But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. Temptation of bread—Jesus answers with Scripture.
- Cross‑ref: Deuteronomy 8:3 – ³ And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live. “Man shall not live by bread alone.”
- Insight: Physical need must not override spiritual obedience.
- Discussion: How can Scripture sustain us in times of need?
- Application: Trust God’s provision and timing. Don’t let physical desires override spiritual priorities. Rely on Scripture for guidance.
Verses 5–7: ⁵ Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, ⁶ And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. ⁷ Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God Temptation of presumption—testing God.
- Cross‑ref: Deuteronomy 6:16 – ¹⁶ Ye shall not tempt the LORD your God, as ye tempted him in Massah.
- Insight: Satan twists Scripture; discernment is vital.
- Discussion: How do we guard against misusing God’s Word?
- Application: Don’t manipulate or test God for your own benefit. True faith means trusting God’s wisdom, not demanding signs.
Verses 8–11: ⁸ Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; ⁹ And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. ¹⁰ Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. ¹¹ Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him. Temptation of worship—Jesus rebukes Satan.

Cross‑ref: Deuteronomy 6:13 – ¹³ Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God, and serve him, and shalt swear by his name. Worship God only.
Insight: Victory comes through steadfast worship and reliance on God’s Word.
Discussion: What idols compete for our worship today?
Application: Reject shortcuts to success, power, or recognition that compromise your values. Worship and serve God alone, even when tempted by worldly rewards. Rely on God’s strength and support to overcome trials. Spiritual victory is possible through dependence on God and His Word.

Closing Statement

“Matthew 3 and 4 remind us that repentance prepares the way, baptism confirms identity, and Scripture secures victory. John pointed to Christ, and Christ showed us how to stand firm against temptation. May we leave today resolved to live repentant, Spirit‑filled, and Scripture‑anchored lives, shining as witnesses of the kingdom of heaven.”

Michael Beam Ministries

Affirmation Lesson 1 Matthew 3:1-4:11

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