CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Matthew 3:12 His winnowing fork is in His hand to clear His threshing floor and to gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire."</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/matthew/3-12.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/3/40_Mat_03_12.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Matthew 3:12 - The Mission of John the Baptist" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="His winnowing fork is in His hand to clear His threshing floor and to gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/matthew/3-12.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/matthew/3-12.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/matthew/">Matthew</a> > <a href="/matthew/3.htm">Chapter 3</a> > Verse 12</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad12.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/matthew/3-11.htm" title="Matthew 3:11">◄</a> Matthew 3:12 <a href="/matthew/3-13.htm" title="Matthew 3:13">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/matthew/3.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/matthew/3.htm">New International Version</a> His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire.&#8221 <a href="/nlt/matthew/3.htm">New Living Translation</a> He is ready to separate the chaff from the wheat with his winnowing fork. Then he will clean up the threshing area, gathering the wheat into his barn but burning the chaff with never-ending fire.” <a href="/esv/matthew/3.htm">English Standard Version</a> His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.” <a href="/bsb/matthew/3.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> His winnowing fork is in His hand to clear His threshing floor and to gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” <a href="/blb/matthew/3.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> whose winnowing fork is in His hand, and He will clear His threshing floor and will gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire." <a href="/kjv/matthew/3.htm">King James Bible</a> 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. <a href="/nkjv/matthew/3.htm">New King James Version</a> His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” <a href="/nasb_/matthew/3.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> His winnowing fork is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clear His threshing floor; and He will gather His wheat into the barn, but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” <a href="/nasb/matthew/3.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8220His winnowing fork is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clear His threshing floor; and He will gather His wheat into the barn, but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.&#8221 <a href="/nasb77/matthew/3.htm">NASB 1977 </a> “And His winnowing fork is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clear His threshing floor; and He will gather His wheat into the barn, but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” <a href="/lsb/matthew/3.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> His winnowing fork is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clear His threshing floor; and He will gather His wheat into the barn, but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” <a href="/amp/matthew/3.htm">Amplified Bible</a> His winnowing fork is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clear out His threshing floor; and He will gather His wheat (believers) into His barn (kingdom), but He will burn up the chaff (the unrepentant) with unquenchable fire.” <a href="/csb/matthew/3.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> His winnowing shovel is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the barn. But the chaff he will burn with fire that never goes out.” <a href="/hcsb/matthew/3.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> His winnowing shovel is in His hand, and He will clear His threshing floor and gather His wheat into the barn. But the chaff He will burn up with fire that never goes out.&#8221 <a href="/asv/matthew/3.htm">American Standard Version</a> whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly cleanse his threshing-floor; and he will gather his wheat into the garner, but the chaff he will burn up with unquenchable fire. <a href="/cev/matthew/3.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> His threshing fork is in his hand, and he is ready to separate the wheat from the husks. He will store the wheat in a barn and burn the husks in a fire that never goes out. <a href="/erv/matthew/3.htm">English Revised Version</a> whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly cleanse his threshing-floor; and he will gather his wheat into the garner, but the chaff he will burn up with unquenchable fire. <a href="/gwt/matthew/3.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> His winnowing shovel is in his hand, and he will clean up his threshing floor. He will gather his wheat into a barn, but he will burn the husks in a fire that can never be put out." <a href="/gnt/matthew/3.htm">Good News Translation</a> He has his winnowing shovel with him to thresh out all the grain. He will gather his wheat into his barn, but he will burn the chaff in a fire that never goes out." <a href="/isv/matthew/3.htm">International Standard Version</a> His winnowing fork is in his hand. He will clean up his threshing floor and gather his grain into the barn, but he will burn the chaff with inextinguishable fire." <a href="/net/matthew/3.htm">NET Bible</a> His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clean out his threshing floor and will gather his wheat into the storehouse, but the chaff he will burn up with inextinguishable fire." <a href="/nheb/matthew/3.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will thoroughly cleanse his threshing floor. He will gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn up with unquenchable fire." <a href="/wbt/matthew/3.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> Whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly cleanse his floor, and gather his wheat into the granary; but he will burn the chaff with unquenchable fire. <a href="/wey/matthew/3.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> His winnowing-shovel is in His hand, and He will make a thorough clearance of His threshing-floor, gathering His wheat into the storehouse, but burning up the chaff in unquenchable fire."<div class="vheading2">Majority Text Translations</div><a href="/msb/matthew/3.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> His winnowing fork is in His hand, and He will clear His threshing floor and gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” <a href="/web/matthew/3.htm">World English Bible</a> His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will thoroughly cleanse his threshing floor. He will gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn up with unquenchable fire.” <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/matthew/3.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> whose fan [is] in His hand, and He will thoroughly cleanse His floor, and will gather His wheat into the storehouse, but He will burn the chaff with unquenchable fire.” <a href="/blb/matthew/3.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> whose winnowing fork is in His hand, and He will clear His threshing floor and will gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire." <a href="/ylt/matthew/3.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly cleanse his floor, and will gather his wheat to the storehouse, but the chaff he will burn with fire unquenchable.' <a href="/slt/matthew/3.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> Whose winnowing fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly cleanse his threshing floor, and gather his wheat into the store; but he will burn down the chaff in inextinguishable fire.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/matthew/3.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> Whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly cleanse his floor and gather his wheat into the barn; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire. <a href="/cpdv/matthew/3.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> His winnowing fan is in his hand. And he will thoroughly cleanse his threshing floor. And he will gather his wheat into the barn. But the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.” <a href="/nabre/matthew/3.htm">New American Bible</a> His winnowing fan is in his hand. He will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.” <a href="/nrsvce/matthew/3.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and will gather his wheat into the granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/matthew/3.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> Whose shovel is in his hand, and he purifies his threshings; the wheat he gathers into his barns, and the straw he burns up in the unquenchable fire. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/matthew/3.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> “For the winnowing fan is in his hand and he purges his threshing floor, and he gathers the wheat into his barns, and the chaff he will burn in fire that is not extinguished.”<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/matthew/3.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> whose winnowing-shovel is in his hand, and he will thoroughly cleanse his thrashing-floor, and gather his grain into his granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.<CM> <a href="/godbey/matthew/3.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> Whose fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly purify His threshing-floor, and gather His wheat into the garner, and will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire. <a href="/haweis/matthew/3.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> whose winnowing fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly cleanse his threshing floor, and will collect the wheat into his granary; but the chaff will he burn up with fire unquenchable.<CM> <a href="/mace/matthew/3.htm">Mace New Testament</a> and with the fan in his hand, he will throughly cleanse his floor, and gather the wheat into his grainery, but the chaff will he burn with unquenchable fire." <a href="/wey/matthew/3.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> His winnowing-shovel is in His hand, and He will make a thorough clearance of His threshing-floor, gathering His wheat into the storehouse, but burning up the chaff in unquenchable fire." <a href="/worrell/matthew/3.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> Whose fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly cleanse His threshing-floor, and will gather His wheat into the granary, but the chaff He will burn with unquenchable fire." <a href="/worsley/matthew/3.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> Whose fan is in his hand, and He will thoroughly cleanse his floor, and gather the wheat into his granary, but will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire. <a href="/parallel/matthew/3-12.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hriiyJYqzvc?start=552" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/matthew/3.htm">The Mission of John the Baptist</a> …11I baptize you with water for repentance, but after me will come One more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. 12<a href="/greek/3739.htm" title="3739: hou (RelPro-GMS) -- Who, which, what, that. ">His</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: to (Art-NNS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/4425.htm" title="4425: ptyon (N-NNS) -- A simple wooden pitchfork; a winnowing-shovel or fan. From ptuo; a winnowing-fork.">winnowing fork is</a> <a href="/greek/1722.htm" title="1722: en (Prep) -- In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; in, at, on, by, etc.">in</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tē (Art-DFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autou (PPro-GM3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">His</a> <a href="/greek/5495.htm" title="5495: cheiri (N-DFS) -- A hand. ">hand</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. "></a> <a href="/greek/1245.htm" title="1245: diakathariei (V-FIA-3S) -- To cleanse thoroughly. From dia and katharizo; to cleanse perfectly, i.e. winnow.">to clear</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tēn (Art-AFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autou (PPro-GM3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">His</a> <a href="/greek/257.htm" title="257: halōna (N-AFS) -- A threshing-floor. Probably from the base of heilisso; a threshing-floor, i.e. the grain.">threshing floor</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/4863.htm" title="4863: synaxei (V-FIA-3S) -- From sun and ago; to lead together, i.e. Collect or convene; specially, to entertain.">to gather</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ton (Art-AMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autou (PPro-GM3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">His</a> <a href="/greek/4621.htm" title="4621: siton (N-AMS) -- Wheat, grain. Also plural irregular neuter sita of uncertain derivation; grain, especially wheat.">wheat</a> <a href="/greek/1519.htm" title="1519: eis (Prep) -- A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.">into</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tēn (Art-AFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/596.htm" title="596: apothēkēn (N-AFS) -- A repository, granary, barn, storehouse. From apotithemi; a repository, i.e. Granary.">barn;</a> <a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc.">but</a> <a href="/greek/2618.htm" title="2618: katakausei (V-FIA-3S) -- To burn up, consume entirely. From kata and kaio; to burn down, i.e. Consume wholly.">He will burn up</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: to (Art-ANS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/892.htm" title="892: achyron (N-ANS) -- Chaff. Perhaps remotely from cheo; chaff.">chaff</a> <a href="/greek/762.htm" title="762: asbestō (Adj-DNS) -- Inextinguishable, unquenchable. Not extinguished, i.e. perpetual.">with unquenchable</a> <a href="/greek/4442.htm" title="4442: pyri (N-DNS) -- Fire; the heat of the sun, lightning; fig: strife, trials; the eternal fire. A primary word; fire.">fire.”</a> 13At that time Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/malachi/4-1.htm">Malachi 4:1</a> “For behold, the day is coming, burning like a furnace, when all the arrogant and every evildoer will be stubble; the day is coming when I will set them ablaze,” says the LORD of Hosts. “Not a root or branch will be left to them.” <a href="/luke/3-17.htm">Luke 3:17</a> His winnowing fork is in His hand to clear His threshing floor and to gather the wheat into His barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” <a href="/isaiah/66-24.htm">Isaiah 66:24</a> “As they go forth, they will see the corpses of the men who have rebelled against Me; for their worm will never die, their fire will never be quenched, and they will be a horror to all mankind.” <a href="/matthew/13-30.htm">Matthew 13:30</a> Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat into my barn.’” <a href="/jeremiah/15-7.htm">Jeremiah 15:7</a> I will scatter them with a winnowing fork at the gates of the land. I will bereave and destroy My people who have not turned from their ways. <a href="/john/15-6.htm">John 15:6</a> If anyone does not remain in Me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers. Such branches are gathered up, thrown into the fire, and burned. <a href="/isaiah/41-16.htm">Isaiah 41:16</a> You will winnow them, and a wind will carry them away; a gale will scatter them. But you will rejoice in the LORD; you will glory in the Holy One of Israel. <a href="/psalms/1-4.htm">Psalm 1:4</a> Not so the wicked! For they are like chaff driven off by the wind. <a href="/2_thessalonians/1-7.htm">2 Thessalonians 1:7-9</a> and to grant relief to you who are oppressed and to us as well. This will take place when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels / in blazing fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. / They will suffer the penalty of eternal destruction, separated from the presence of the Lord and the glory of His might, <a href="/revelation/14-14.htm">Revelation 14:14-19</a> And I looked and saw a white cloud, and seated on the cloud was One like the Son of Man, with a golden crown on His head and a sharp sickle in His hand. / Then another angel came out of the temple, crying out in a loud voice to the One seated on the cloud, “Swing Your sickle and reap, because the time has come to harvest, for the crop of the earth is ripe.” / So the One seated on the cloud swung His sickle over the earth, and the earth was harvested. ... <a href="/joel/3-13.htm">Joel 3:13</a> Swing the sickle, for the harvest is ripe. Come, trample the grapes, for the winepress is full; the wine vats overflow because their wickedness is great. <a href="/revelation/20-15.htm">Revelation 20:15</a> And if anyone was found whose name was not written in the Book of Life, he was thrown into the lake of fire. <a href="/isaiah/27-12.htm">Isaiah 27:12</a> In that day the LORD will thresh from the flowing Euphrates to the Wadi of Egypt, and you, O Israelites, will be gathered one by one. <a href="/matthew/13-49.htm">Matthew 13:49-50</a> So will it be at the end of the age: The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous / and throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. <a href="/amos/9-9.htm">Amos 9:9</a> “For surely I will give the command, and I will shake the house of Israel among all the nations as grain is sifted in a sieve; but not a pebble will reach the ground.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>Whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.fan.<a href="/isaiah/30-24.htm">Isaiah 30:24</a> The oxen likewise and the young asses that ear the ground shall eat clean provender, which hath been winnowed with the shovel and with the fan.<a href="/isaiah/41-16.htm">Isaiah 41:16</a> Thou shalt fan them, and the wind shall carry them away, and the whirlwind shall scatter them: and thou shalt rejoice in the LORD, and shalt glory in the Holy One of Israel.<a href="/jeremiah/4-11.htm">Jeremiah 4:11</a> At that time shall it be said to this people and to Jerusalem, A dry wind of the high places in the wilderness toward the daughter of my people, not to fan, nor to cleanse,he will throughly.<a href="/matthew/13-41.htm">Matthew 13:41,49,50</a> The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; … <a href="/malachi/3-2.htm">Malachi 3:2,3</a> But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap: … <a href="/malachi/4-1.htm">Malachi 4:1</a> For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.and gather.<a href="/matthew/13-30.htm">Matthew 13:30,43</a> Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn… <a href="/amos/9-9.htm">Amos 9:9</a> For, lo, I will command, and I will sift the house of Israel among all nations, like as corn is sifted in a sieve, yet shall not the least grain fall upon the earth.but.<a href="/job/21-18.htm">Job 21:18</a> They are as stubble before the wind, and as chaff that the storm carrieth away.<a href="/psalms/1-4.htm">Psalm 1:4</a> The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.<a href="/psalms/35-5.htm">Psalm 35:5</a> Let them be as chaff before the wind: and let the angel of the LORD chase them.with.<a href="/isaiah/1-31.htm">Isaiah 1:31</a> And the strong shall be as tow, and the maker of it as a spark, and they shall both burn together, and none shall quench them.<a href="/isaiah/66-24.htm">Isaiah 66:24</a> And they shall go forth, and look upon the carcases of the men that have transgressed against me: for their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched; and they shall be an abhorring unto all flesh.<a href="/jeremiah/7-20.htm">Jeremiah 7:20</a> Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, mine anger and my fury shall be poured out upon this place, upon man, and upon beast, and upon the trees of the field, and upon the fruit of the ground; and it shall burn, and shall not be quenched.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/haggai/2-19.htm">Barn</a> <a href="/malachi/4-1.htm">Burn</a> <a href="/zephaniah/2-2.htm">Chaff</a> <a href="/zechariah/13-9.htm">Clean</a> <a href="/zechariah/13-1.htm">Cleanse</a> <a href="/jeremiah/51-2.htm">Fan</a> <a href="/matthew/3-11.htm">Fire</a> <a href="/micah/4-12.htm">Floor</a> <a href="/obadiah/1-14.htm">Fork</a> <a href="/isaiah/62-9.htm">Garner</a> <a href="/zechariah/14-2.htm">Gather</a> <a href="/matthew/2-4.htm">Gathering</a> <a href="/matthew/3-11.htm">Good</a> <a href="/zechariah/9-17.htm">Grain</a> <a href="/luke/12-24.htm">Granary</a> <a href="/matthew/3-2.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/zechariah/11-15.htm">Instrument</a> <a href="/malachi/3-3.htm">Purge</a> <a href="/matthew/2-11.htm">Store</a> <a href="/malachi/3-10.htm">Storehouse</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/19-18.htm">Thorough</a> <a href="/nahum/3-13.htm">Thoroughly</a> <a href="/micah/4-12.htm">Threshing</a> <a href="/micah/4-12.htm">Threshing-Floor</a> <a href="/ezekiel/16-9.htm">Throughly</a> <a href="/luke/3-18.htm">Unquenchable</a> <a href="/matthew/3-3.htm">Waste</a> <a href="/amos/8-6.htm">Wheat</a> <a href="/jeremiah/15-7.htm">Winnowing</a> <a href="/luke/3-18.htm">Winnowing-Shovel</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/matthew/13-30.htm">Barn</a> <a href="/matthew/13-30.htm">Burn</a> <a href="/luke/3-17.htm">Chaff</a> <a href="/matthew/5-8.htm">Clean</a> <a href="/matthew/8-2.htm">Cleanse</a> <a href="/luke/3-17.htm">Fan</a> <a href="/matthew/5-22.htm">Fire</a> <a href="/luke/3-17.htm">Floor</a> <a href="/luke/3-17.htm">Fork</a> <a href="/matthew/25-26.htm">Garner</a> <a href="/matthew/6-26.htm">Gather</a> <a href="/matthew/12-30.htm">Gathering</a> <a href="/matthew/4-23.htm">Good</a> <a href="/matthew/6-26.htm">Grain</a> <a href="/luke/3-17.htm">Granary</a> <a href="/matthew/4-7.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/luke/3-17.htm">Instrument</a> <a href="/luke/3-17.htm">Purge</a> <a href="/matthew/6-19.htm">Store</a> <a href="/matthew/13-52.htm">Storehouse</a> <a href="/acts/12-19.htm">Thorough</a> <a href="/matthew/14-36.htm">Thoroughly</a> <a href="/luke/3-17.htm">Threshing</a> <a href="/luke/3-17.htm">Threshing-Floor</a> <a href="/luke/3-17.htm">Throughly</a> <a href="/mark/9-43.htm">Unquenchable</a> <a href="/matthew/4-1.htm">Waste</a> <a href="/matthew/12-1.htm">Wheat</a> <a href="/luke/3-17.htm">Winnowing</a> <a href="/luke/3-18.htm">Winnowing-Shovel</a><div class="vheading2">Matthew 3</div>1. <a href="/matthew/3-1.htm">John preaches: his office, life, and baptism.</a> 7. <a href="/matthew/3-7.htm">He reprimands the Pharisees,</a> 13. <a href="/matthew/3-13.htm">and baptizes Jesus in Jordan.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/matthew/3.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/matthew/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/matthew/3.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>His winnowing fork is in His hand This phrase symbolizes judgment and separation. The winnowing fork was a tool used in agriculture to separate grain from chaff. In biblical times, this process involved tossing the harvested grain into the air so that the wind could blow away the lighter chaff, leaving the heavier grain to fall back to the ground. This imagery is used to depict the Messiah's role in discerning and separating the righteous from the wicked. The presence of the winnowing fork "in His hand" indicates readiness and authority to execute judgment.to clear His threshing floor The threshing floor is a place of separation and purification. In ancient Israel, it was a flat surface where the harvested grain was threshed and winnowed. Spiritually, it represents the world or the community of believers where God will purify and refine His people. This clearing signifies a thorough and decisive action, emphasizing the completeness of the judgment process.and to gather His wheat into the barn The wheat represents the righteous, those who are faithful and obedient to God. Gathering into the barn signifies protection, preservation, and reward. This imagery aligns with the parable of the wheat and the tares (<a href="/matthew/13-24.htm">Matthew 13:24-30</a>), where the wheat is gathered into the barn at harvest time, symbolizing the gathering of believers into God's eternal kingdom.but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire The chaff symbolizes the wicked or unrepentant individuals. Burning with "unquenchable fire" indicates a final and irreversible judgment. This fire is often associated with divine wrath and eternal punishment, as seen in other scriptures like <a href="/isaiah/66-24.htm">Isaiah 66:24</a> and <a href="/mark/9-43.htm">Mark 9:43</a>. The use of "unquenchable" underscores the severity and permanence of this judgment, reflecting the ultimate fate of those who reject God's salvation.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/john_the_baptist.htm">John the Baptist</a> The speaker of this verse, John the Baptist, is a prophet who prepares the way for Jesus Christ by calling people to repentance and baptizing them in the Jordan River. 2. <a href="/topical/j/jesus_christ.htm">Jesus Christ</a> Implicitly referred to as the one with the winnowing fork, Jesus is the Messiah who will execute judgment and separate the righteous from the wicked. 3. <a href="/topical/t/threshing_floor.htm">Threshing Floor</a> A symbolic place where separation occurs, representing the world or the church where God distinguishes between true believers (wheat) and non-believers (chaff). 4. <a href="/topical/w/wheat_and_chaff.htm">Wheat and Chaff</a> Metaphors for the righteous (wheat) who will be gathered into God's kingdom and the wicked (chaff) who will face judgment. 5. <a href="/topical/u/unquenchable_fire.htm">Unquenchable Fire</a> Symbolizes the eternal judgment and punishment awaiting those who reject God.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_certainty_of_judgment.htm">The Certainty of Judgment</a> God's judgment is certain and will be executed by Jesus Christ. Believers should live with an awareness of this truth, striving to be found as wheat, not chaff. <a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_repentance.htm">The Importance of Repentance</a> Just as John the Baptist called for repentance, believers today must continually turn away from sin and align their lives with God's will. <a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_jesus_as_judge.htm">The Role of Jesus as Judge</a> Jesus is not only a Savior but also a Judge. Understanding His dual role should inspire reverence and obedience in our daily walk. <a href="/topical/t/the_urgency_of_the_gospel.htm">The Urgency of the Gospel</a> The imagery of unquenchable fire underscores the urgency of sharing the Gospel with others, as the eternal destiny of souls is at stake. <a href="/topical/l/living_as_wheat.htm">Living as Wheat</a> Believers are called to bear fruit in keeping with repentance, demonstrating their faith through actions that reflect God's righteousness.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_matthew_3.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Matthew 3</a> <a href="/q/who_is_the_author_of_the_book_of_nahum.htm">What is the Unquenchable Fire?</a> <a href="/q/what's_the_essence_of_divine_truth.htm">What does 'chaff' mean in the Bible?</a> <a href="/q/what_is_the_unquenchable_fire.htm">What is the Unquenchable Fire?</a> <a href="/q/what_defines_a_threshing_floor.htm">What defines a threshing floor?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/matthew/3.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(12) Whose fan is in his hand.--The scene brought before us is that of the large hardened surface which was the "threshing-floor" of the East, the sheaves of corn thrown over it, the oxen treading on them, the large winnowing fan driving on them the full force of the strong current of air, leaving the wheat in the middle, while the chaff is driven to the outskirts of the field to be afterwards swept up and burnt. The metaphor was a sufficiently familiar one. (Comp. <a href="/job/21-18.htm" title="They are as stubble before the wind, and as chaff that the storm carries away.">Job 21:18</a>; <a href="/psalms/1-4.htm" title="The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind drives away.">Psalm 1:4</a>; <a href="/psalms/35-5.htm" title="Let them be as chaff before the wind: and let the angel of the LORD chase them.">Psalm 35:5</a>; <a href="/isaiah/17-13.htm" title="The nations shall rush like the rushing of many waters: but God shall rebuke them, and they shall flee far off, and shall be chased as the chaff of the mountains before the wind, and like a rolling thing before the whirlwind.">Isaiah 17:13</a>; <a href="/isaiah/29-5.htm" title="Moreover the multitude of your strangers shall be like small dust, and the multitude of the terrible ones shall be as chaff that passes away: yes, it shall be at an instant suddenly.">Isaiah 29:5</a>; <a href="/hosea/13-3.htm" title="Therefore they shall be as the morning cloud and as the early dew that passes away, as the chaff that is driven with the whirlwind out of the floor, and as the smoke out of the chimney.">Hosea 13:3</a>.) The new features here are (1) that the "coming One," the expected Christ, is to be the agent in the process; (2) that the Old Testament imagery rests in the "scattering" of the chaff, and this passes on to the "burning"; (3) that the fire is said to be "unquenched," or perhaps "unquenchable." The interpretation of the parable lies on the surface. The chaff are the ungodly and evildoers. The unquenched fire is the wrath of God against evil, which is, in its very nature, eternal, and can only cease with the cessation or transformation of the evil. The word translated "chaff" includes, it may be noted, straw as well, all but the actual grain. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/matthew/3.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 12. - Whose fan. The pronged winnowing-fork (see Pal. Expl. Fund Statem; Ap. 1891) which throws up the grain against the wind. The Coming One is to put an end to the present mixture of chaff and corn. He will thoroughly purge the threshing-floor of this world, gathering the good into one safe place, and destroying the evil. The figure of winnowing comes not unseldom in the Old Testament (e.g. <a href="/jeremiah/15-7.htm">Jeremiah 15:7</a>; <a href="/jeremiah/51-2.htm">Jeremiah 51:2</a>), but generally with the sole idea of destruction of the ungodly, not with that of separating so as to also preserve the godly (yet cf. <a href="/psalms/139-3.htm">Psalm 139:3</a>, margin; <a href="/amos/9-9.htm">Amos 9:9</a>). Is in his hand. The figure is stronger than that in ver. 10, where the instrument was only lying ready to be taken up. But that was an instrument of destruction alone. And he will throughly purge; cleanse (Revised Version); permundo (Vulgate); διακαθαριεῖ, the preposition is intensive, not local. His. Observe the threefold αὐτοῦ, referring to hand, flour, corn - personal agency, sphere, ownership. In the Vatican and some other manuscripts it is found also after "garner;" but this is, perhaps, introduced from the parallel in Luke. Floor; threshing-floor (Revised Version). Not the barn that English-men think of, but an open and level space (for the figure, cf. especially <a href="/micah/4-12.htm">Micah 4:12</a>). Here the threshing-floor is equivalent to the scene of the Lord's operations, i.e. the world, or rather the universe (cf. Epbraem (? Tartan) in Resch, 'Agrapha,' p. 295). The present mixture of good and evil shall be brought to an end. And gather together, from different parts of the threshing-floor, or from intimate association with the chaff, into one heap. All true believers shall finally be brought to perfect unity (cf. <a href="/matthew/13-30.htm">Matthew 13:30</a>). His wheat. The term is adopted by Ignatius ('Ram.,' §4): "I am the wheat of God, and I am ground by the teeth of wild beasts, that I may be found pure bread [of Christ]." Into the garner. The final home of the saints, hidden away and safe from all marauders. Garners in the East are generally subterranean vaults or eaves (but cf. <a href="/luke/12-18.htm">Luke 12:18</a>). But will burn up. Utterly consuming it (contrast <a href="/exodus/3-2.htm">Exodus 3:2</a>), as the tares (<a href="/matthew/13-30.htm">Matthew 13:30, 40</a>) and the books of magic (<a href="/acts/19-19.htm">Acts 19:19</a>). The chaff. For, as Jeremiah says (<a href="/jeremiah/23-28.htm">Jeremiah 23:28</a>) when comparing a mere dream with a message from the Lord," What is the chaff to the wheat?" The Targum even interprets Jeremiah's words of the wicked and the righteous. The chaff in Jeremiah includes the straw, for in the East everything except the actual grain is generally burnt, and is sometimes used for heating fireplaces (Mishna, 'Sabb.,' 3:1; 'Parah,' 4:3). With unquenchable fire. "Unquenchable" shows that John is here thinking not of the figure of chaff but of the persons figured by it. But what does the word mean? In itself it might mean that the fire cannot be overcome by the greatness or the nature of the mass that it has to consume; i.e., to drop the figure, by either the number or the character at' the wicked. But from its usage it seems rather to be equivalent to not being overcome by the lapse of time. It is used, e.g., of the perpetual fire of Vesta, of the fire of the Magi, of the fire upon the Jewish altar (vide references in Thayer). The whole expression in itself says nothing about the everlasting duration of the punishment; i.e. it does not decide for "everlasting punishment" or for "annihilation," but seems rather to exclude the possibility of amelioration under it (cf. <a href="/isaiah/1-31.htm">Isaiah 1:31</a>). <a href="/commentaries/matthew/3-12.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>His οὗ (hou) Personal / Relative Pronoun - Genitive Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3739.htm">Strong's 3739: </a> Who, which, what, that. winnowing fork [is] πτύον (ptyon) Noun - Nominative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4425.htm">Strong's 4425: </a> A simple wooden pitchfork; a winnowing-shovel or fan. From ptuo; a winnowing-fork. in ἐν (en) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1722.htm">Strong's 1722: </a> In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc. His αὐτοῦ (autou) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. hand χειρὶ (cheiri) Noun - Dative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5495.htm">Strong's 5495: </a> A hand. to clear διακαθαριεῖ (diakathariei) Verb - Future Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1245.htm">Strong's 1245: </a> To cleanse thoroughly. From dia and katharizo; to cleanse perfectly, i.e. winnow. His αὐτοῦ (autou) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. threshing floor ἅλωνα (halōna) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_257.htm">Strong's 257: </a> A threshing-floor. Probably from the base of heilisso; a threshing-floor, i.e. the grain. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. to gather συνάξει (synaxei) Verb - Future Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4863.htm">Strong's 4863: </a> From sun and ago; to lead together, i.e. Collect or convene; specially, to entertain. His αὐτοῦ (autou) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. wheat σῖτον (siton) Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4621.htm">Strong's 4621: </a> Wheat, grain. Also plural irregular neuter sita of uncertain derivation; grain, especially wheat. into εἰς (eis) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1519.htm">Strong's 1519: </a> A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases. the τὴν (tēn) Article - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. barn; ἀποθήκην (apothēkēn) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_596.htm">Strong's 596: </a> A repository, granary, barn, storehouse. From apotithemi; a repository, i.e. Granary. but δὲ (de) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_1161.htm">Strong's 1161: </a> A primary particle; but, and, etc. He will burn up κατακαύσει (katakausei) Verb - Future Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2618.htm">Strong's 2618: </a> To burn up, consume entirely. From kata and kaio; to burn down, i.e. Consume wholly. the τὸ (to) Article - Accusative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. chaff ἄχυρον (achyron) Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_892.htm">Strong's 892: </a> Chaff. Perhaps remotely from cheo; chaff. with unquenchable ἀσβέστῳ (asbestō) Adjective - Dative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_762.htm">Strong's 762: </a> Inextinguishable, unquenchable. Not extinguished, i.e. perpetual. fire.? πυρὶ (pyri) Noun - Dative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4442.htm">Strong's 4442: </a> Fire; the heat of the sun, lightning; fig: strife, trials; the eternal fire. A primary word; 'fire'. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/matthew/3-12.htm">Matthew 3:12 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/matthew/3-12.htm">Matthew 3:12 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/matthew/3-12.htm">Matthew 3:12 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/matthew/3-12.htm">Matthew 3:12 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/matthew/3-12.htm">Matthew 3:12 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/matthew/3-12.htm">Matthew 3:12 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/matthew/3-12.htm">Matthew 3:12 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/matthew/3-12.htm">Matthew 3:12 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/matthew/3-12.htm">Matthew 3:12 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/matthew/3-12.htm">Matthew 3:12 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/matthew/3-12.htm">NT Gospels: Matthew 3:12 His winnowing fork is in his hand (Matt. Mat Mt) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/matthew/3-11.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Matthew 3:11"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Matthew 3:11" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/matthew/3-13.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Matthew 3:13"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Matthew 3:13" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>