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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"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/matthew/3.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/matthew/3.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />And when they confessed their sins, he baptized them in the Jordan River.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/matthew/3.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/matthew/3.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/matthew/3.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />and confessing their sins, were being baptized by him in the Jordan River.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/matthew/3.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/matthew/3.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />and were baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/matthew/3.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />and they were being baptized by him in the Jordan River, as they confessed their sins.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/matthew/3.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />and they were being baptized by him in the Jordan River, as they confessed their sins.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/matthew/3.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />and they were being baptized by him in the Jordan River, as they confessed their sins.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/matthew/3.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />and they were being baptized by him in the Jordan River, as they confessed their sins.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/matthew/3.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />and they were being baptized by him in the Jordan River, as they confessed their sins.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/matthew/3.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />and they were baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/matthew/3.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />and they were baptized by him in the Jordan River as they confessed their sins. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/matthew/3.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />and they were baptized of him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/matthew/3.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />They told how sorry they were for their sins, and he baptized them in the river. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/matthew/3.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />and they were baptized of him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/matthew/3.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />As they confessed their sins, he baptized them in the Jordan River.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/matthew/3.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />They confessed their sins, and he baptized them in the Jordan. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/matthew/3.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />being baptized by him in the Jordan River while they confessed their sins.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/matthew/3.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/matthew/3.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />and he was baptizing them in the Jordan River as they confessed their sins. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/matthew/3.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />and they were baptized by him in the Jordan river, confessing their sins.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/matthew/3.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And were baptized by him in Jordan, confessing their sins.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/matthew/3.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />and were baptized by him in the Jordan, making full confession of their sins.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/matthew/3.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />They were baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/matthew/3.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and they were immersed in the Jordan by him, confessing their sins.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/matthew/3.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />and confessing their sins, were being baptized by him in the Jordan River.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/matthew/3.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and they were baptized in the Jordan by him, confessing their sins.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/matthew/3.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And they were immersed in Jordan by him, acknowledging their sins.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/matthew/3.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And were baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/matthew/3.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And they were baptized by him in the Jordan, acknowledging their sins.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/matthew/3.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />and were being baptized by him in the Jordan River as they acknowledged their sins.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/matthew/3.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/matthew/3.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, as they confessed their sins.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/matthew/3.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />And they were being baptized by him in the Jordan River while confessing their sins.<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/matthew/3.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />and were immersed by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/matthew/3.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br />and were being baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/matthew/3.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />and were baptized by him in Jordan, on making confession of their sins.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/matthew/3.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />and having confess'd their sins, they were baptized by him in Jordan.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/matthew/3.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />and were baptized by him in the Jordan, making full confession of their sins.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/matthew/3.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br />and they were being immersed by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/matthew/3.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br />and they were baptized by him in Jordan, confessing their sins.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/matthew/3-6.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hriiyJYqzvc?start=492" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/matthew/3.htm">The Mission of John the Baptist</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">5</span>People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region around the Jordan. <span class="reftext">6</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. "></a> <a href="/greek/1843.htm" title="1843: exomologoumenoi (V-PPM-NMP) -- From ek and homologeo; to acknowledge or agree fully.">Confessing</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tas (Art-AFP) -- 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: autōn (PPro-GM3P) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">their</a> <a href="/greek/266.htm" title="266: hamartias (N-AFP) -- From hamartano; a sin.">sins,</a> <a href="/greek/907.htm" title="907: ebaptizonto (V-IIM/P-3P) -- Lit: I dip, submerge, but specifically of ceremonial dipping; I baptize. ">they were baptized</a> <a href="/greek/5259.htm" title="5259: hyp’ (Prep) -- A primary preposition; under, i.e. of place, or with verbs; of place (underneath) or where (below) or time (when).">by</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.">him</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: tō (Art-DMS) -- 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/2446.htm" title="2446: Iordanē (N-DMS) -- Of Hebrew origin; the Jordanes, a river of Palestine.">Jordan</a> <a href="/greek/4215.htm" title="4215: potamō (N-DMS) -- A river, torrent, stream. Probably from a derivative of the alternate of pino; a current, brook or freshet, i.e. Running water.">River.</a> </span> <span class="reftext">7</span>But when John saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his place of baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/1-5.htm">Mark 1:5</a></span><br />People went out to him from all of Jerusalem and the countryside of Judea. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/3-3.htm">Luke 3:3</a></span><br />He went into all the region around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/19-4.htm">Acts 19:4</a></span><br />Paul explained: “John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the One coming after him, that is, in Jesus.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/2-38.htm">Acts 2:38</a></span><br />Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/22-16.htm">Acts 22:16</a></span><br />And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized, and wash your sins away, calling on His name.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/6-3.htm">Romans 6:3-4</a></span><br />Or aren’t you aware that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? / We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may walk in newness of life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/3-21.htm">1 Peter 3:21</a></span><br />And this water symbolizes the baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body, but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God—through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/3-23.htm">John 3:23</a></span><br />Now John was also baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because the water was plentiful there, and people kept coming to be baptized.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/8-36.htm">Acts 8:36-38</a></span><br />As they traveled along the road and came to some water, the eunuch said, “Look, here is water! What is there to prevent me from being baptized?” / And Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may be baptized.” The eunuch replied, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” / And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and Philip baptized him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/10-47.htm">Acts 10:47-48</a></span><br />“Can anyone withhold the water to baptize these people? They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have!” / So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to stay for a few days.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/16-31.htm">Acts 16:31-33</a></span><br />They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, you and your household.” / Then Paul and Silas spoke the word of the Lord to him and to everyone in his house. / At that hour of the night, the jailer took them and washed their wounds. And without delay, he and all his household were baptized.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/18-8.htm">Acts 18:8</a></span><br />Crispus, the synagogue leader, and his whole household believed in the Lord. And many of the Corinthians who heard the message believed and were baptized.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/1-16.htm">Isaiah 1:16</a></span><br />Wash and cleanse yourselves. Remove your evil deeds from My sight. Stop doing evil!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/36-25.htm">Ezekiel 36:25</a></span><br />I will also sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean. I will cleanse you from all your impurities and all your idols.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/zechariah/13-1.htm">Zechariah 13:1</a></span><br />“On that day a fountain will be opened to the house of David and the people of Jerusalem, to cleanse them from sin and impurity.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.</p><p class="hdg">were.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/3-11.htm">Matthew 3:11,13-16</a></b></br> 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 <i>with</i> fire: … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezekiel/36-25.htm">Ezekiel 36:25</a></b></br> Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/mark/1-8.htm">Mark 1:8,9</a></b></br> I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost… </p><p class="hdg">confessing.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/leviticus/16-21.htm">Leviticus 16:21</a></b></br> And Aaron shall lay both his hands upon the head of the live goat, and confess over him all the iniquities of the children of Israel, and all their transgressions in all their sins, putting them upon the head of the goat, and shall send <i>him</i> away by the hand of a fit man into the wilderness:</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/leviticus/26-40.htm">Leviticus 26:40</a></b></br> If they shall confess their iniquity, and the iniquity of their fathers, with their trespass which they trespassed against me, and that also they have walked contrary unto me;</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/5-7.htm">Numbers 5:7</a></b></br> Then they shall confess their sin which they have done: and he shall recompense his trespass with the principal thereof, and add unto it the fifth <i>part</i> thereof, and give <i>it</i> unto <i>him</i> against whom he hath trespassed.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/galatians/3-27.htm">Baptised</a> <a href="/1_peter/3-21.htm">Baptism</a> <a href="/galatians/3-27.htm">Baptized</a> <a href="/daniel/9-4.htm">Confessed</a> <a href="/daniel/9-20.htm">Confessing</a> <a href="/daniel/9-4.htm">Confession</a> <a href="/matthew/2-10.htm">Full</a> <a href="/matthew/3-5.htm">Jordan</a> <a href="/zechariah/14-4.htm">Making</a> <a href="/ezekiel/23-18.htm">Openly</a> <a href="/zechariah/10-11.htm">River</a> <a href="/matthew/1-21.htm">Sins</a> <a href="/malachi/2-16.htm">Wrong</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/matthew/3-13.htm">Baptised</a> <a href="/matthew/3-7.htm">Baptism</a> <a href="/matthew/3-13.htm">Baptized</a> <a href="/john/1-20.htm">Confessed</a> <a href="/mark/1-5.htm">Confessing</a> <a href="/mark/1-5.htm">Confession</a> <a href="/matthew/5-12.htm">Full</a> <a href="/matthew/3-13.htm">Jordan</a> <a href="/matthew/4-23.htm">Making</a> <a href="/matthew/6-4.htm">Openly</a> <a href="/mark/1-5.htm">River</a> <a href="/matthew/6-14.htm">Sins</a> <a href="/matthew/5-45.htm">Wrong</a><div class="vheading2">Matthew 3</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/3-1.htm">John preaches: his office, life, and baptism.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/3-7.htm">He reprimands the Pharisees,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">13. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/3-13.htm">and baptizes Jesus in Jordan.</a></span><br></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><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <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> <br /><br /> </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><b>Confessing their sins</b><br>This phrase highlights the act of repentance, a central theme in the ministry of John the Baptist. Confession of sins was a public acknowledgment of wrongdoing and a desire for spiritual renewal. In the Jewish tradition, confession was often associated with the Day of Atonement (<a href="/leviticus/16-29.htm">Leviticus 16:29-30</a>) and other penitential practices. The act of confessing sins before baptism signifies a turning away from past transgressions and a commitment to a new way of life. This practice is echoed in 1 <a href="/john/1-9.htm">John 1:9</a>, which emphasizes the importance of confession for forgiveness and cleansing.<p><b>They were baptized by him</b><br>Baptism, as performed by John, was a symbolic act of purification and repentance. It was not yet the Christian baptism instituted by Jesus, which includes the Holy Spirit (<a href="/matthew/28-19.htm">Matthew 28:19</a>). John's baptism was preparatory, pointing towards the coming of the Messiah and the need for spiritual readiness. The act of baptism by immersion in water symbolized the washing away of sins and a fresh start. This practice has roots in Jewish purification rituals, such as the mikveh, which involved immersion for ritual cleanliness.<p><b>In the Jordan River</b><br>The Jordan River holds significant historical and theological importance in the Bible. It was the site where the Israelites crossed into the Promised Land (<a href="/joshua/3-14.htm">Joshua 3:14-17</a>), symbolizing a transition from the old life of slavery in Egypt to a new life in the land God promised. By baptizing in the Jordan, John the Baptist was connecting his ministry to this rich history of deliverance and new beginnings. The Jordan River also serves as a geographical marker, separating the wilderness from the land of Israel, symbolizing the transition from a life of sin to one of righteousness. This location foreshadows Jesus' own baptism in the Jordan, marking the beginning of His public ministry (<a href="/matthew/3-13.htm">Matthew 3:13-17</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/john_the_baptist.htm">John the Baptist</a></b><br>A prophetic figure who preached repentance and baptized people in preparation for the coming of Jesus Christ. He is known for his role in calling people to repentance and preparing the way for the Lord.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_people.htm">The People</a></b><br>Those who came to John the Baptist, confessing their sins and seeking baptism. They represent a diverse group of individuals from various backgrounds who were drawn to John's message of repentance.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_jordan_river.htm">The Jordan River</a></b><br>A significant geographical location in biblical history, the Jordan River is where John conducted baptisms. It symbolizes a place of spiritual renewal and transformation.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/c/confession_of_sins.htm">Confession of Sins</a></b><br>The act of acknowledging one's sins before God, which is a crucial step in the process of repentance and receiving forgiveness.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/b/baptism.htm">Baptism</a></b><br>A ritual of purification and initiation, symbolizing the washing away of sins and the beginning of a new life in faith.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_confession.htm">The Importance of Confession</a></b><br>Confession is a vital step in the process of repentance. It involves acknowledging our sins before God and is necessary for spiritual growth and renewal.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/b/baptism_as_a_public_declaration.htm">Baptism as a Public Declaration</a></b><br>Baptism serves as a public declaration of faith and repentance. It is an outward expression of an inward change and commitment to follow Christ.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_repentance_in_salvation.htm">The Role of Repentance in Salvation</a></b><br>Repentance is essential for salvation. It involves a genuine turning away from sin and turning towards God, which is foundational to the Christian faith.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/symbolism_of_the_jordan_river.htm">Symbolism of the Jordan River</a></b><br>The Jordan River represents a place of transition and transformation. Just as the Israelites crossed the Jordan to enter the Promised Land, baptism symbolizes entering into a new life with Christ.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/community_and_accountability.htm">Community and Accountability</a></b><br>The act of coming together to confess sins and be baptized highlights the importance of community and accountability in the Christian journey.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_matthew_3.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Matthew 3</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_the_bible_say_on_baptism.htm">What does the Bible say about water baptism?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_was_john_the_baptist's_role.htm">Who was John the Baptist and what was his role?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_can_perform_a_baptism.htm">Who is authorized to perform a baptism?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/bible's_view_on_baptism,_communion.htm">What does the Bible say about baptism and communion?</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>(6) <span class= "bld">Were baptized.</span>--The Greek tense implies continual succession. Crowd after crowd passed on, and still they came <span class= "ital">confessing their sins</span>--<span class= "ital">i.e.,</span> as the position of the word implies, in the closest possible connection with the act of immersion. The Greek word (sometimes used for "confessing" in the sense of "praising," as in <a href="/luke/12-8.htm" title="Also I say to you, Whoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God:">Luke 12:8</a>), always implies public utterance, and included, as the plural of the noun seems to show, a specific mention of, at least, the more grievous individual sins.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/matthew/3.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 6.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And</span> (they, Revised Version) <span class="cmt_word">were baptized</span>. The Revised Version probably desires to call attention to the change in the verb from singular to plural. In Jordan; <span class="accented">in the river Jordan</span> (Revised Version, with manuscripts). So also parallel passage in Mark (cf. Introduction, p. 5.). By him; <span class="accented">i.e.</span> their baptism was not self-imposed, but an act of submission to his teaching, and of acceptance of his message. The forerunner saw results, not merely in crowds of listeners, but in external actions. <span class="accented">By him</span> (contrast <a href="/john/4-2.htm">John 4:2</a>). <span class="cmt_word">Confessing their sins</span>; <span class="accented">i.e.</span> in at least some detail; cf. Josephus, 'Ant.,' 8:04. 6, "confessing their sins and their transgressions of the laws of their country ( <span class="greek">ἐξομολογουμένων τὰς ἁμαρτίας αὐτῶν καὶ τὰς</span> <span class="greek">τῶν πατρίων νομίμων παραβάσεις</span>);" also <a href="/acts/19-18.htm">Acts 19:18</a>, "confessing and declaring their deeds" (cf. <a href="/james/5-16.htm">James 5:16</a>). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/matthew/3-6.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div><span class="word">Confessing</span><br /><span class="grk">ἐξομολογούμενοι</span> <span class="translit">(exomologoumenoi)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Participle Middle - Nominative Masculine Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1843.htm">Strong's 1843: </a> </span><span class="str2">From ek and homologeo; to acknowledge or agree fully.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">their</span><br /><span class="grk">αὐτῶν</span> <span class="translit">(autōn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> </span><span class="str2">He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">sins,</span><br /><span class="grk">ἁμαρτίας</span> <span class="translit">(hamartias)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Accusative Feminine Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_266.htm">Strong's 266: </a> </span><span class="str2">From hamartano; a sin.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">they were baptized</span><br /><span class="grk">ἐβαπτίζοντο</span> <span class="translit">(ebaptizonto)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Imperfect Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_907.htm">Strong's 907: </a> </span><span class="str2">Lit: I dip, submerge, but specifically of ceremonial dipping; I baptize. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">by</span><br /><span class="grk">ὑπ’</span> <span class="translit">(hyp’)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_5259.htm">Strong's 5259: </a> </span><span class="str2">A primary preposition; under, i.e. of place, or with verbs; of place (underneath) or where (below) or time (when).</span><br /><br /><span class="word">him</span><br /><span class="grk">αὐτοῦ</span> <span class="translit">(autou)</span><br /><span class="parse">Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> </span><span class="str2">He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in</span><br /><span class="grk">ἐν</span> <span class="translit">(en)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1722.htm">Strong's 1722: </a> </span><span class="str2">In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the</span><br /><span class="grk">τῷ</span> <span class="translit">(tō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article - Dative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Jordan</span><br /><span class="grk">Ἰορδάνῃ</span> <span class="translit">(Iordanē)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Dative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2446.htm">Strong's 2446: </a> </span><span class="str2">Of Hebrew origin; the Jordanes, a river of Palestine.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">River.</span><br /><span class="grk">ποταμῷ</span> <span class="translit">(potamō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Dative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4215.htm">Strong's 4215: </a> </span><span class="str2">A river, torrent, stream. Probably from a derivative of the alternate of pino; a current, brook or freshet, i.e. Running water.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/matthew/3-6.htm">Matthew 3:6 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/matthew/3-6.htm">Matthew 3:6 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/matthew/3-6.htm">Matthew 3:6 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/matthew/3-6.htm">Matthew 3:6 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/matthew/3-6.htm">Matthew 3:6 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/matthew/3-6.htm">Matthew 3:6 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/matthew/3-6.htm">Matthew 3:6 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/matthew/3-6.htm">Matthew 3:6 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/matthew/3-6.htm">Matthew 3:6 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/matthew/3-6.htm">Matthew 3:6 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/matthew/3-6.htm">NT Gospels: Matthew 3:6 They were baptized by him (Matt. Mat Mt) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/matthew/3-5.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Matthew 3:5"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Matthew 3:5" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/matthew/3-7.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Matthew 3:7"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Matthew 3:7" /></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>