1
Ἐν δὲ ταῖς ἡμέραις ἐκείναις παραγίνεται Ἰωάννης ὁ βαπτιστὴς κηρύσσων ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ τῆς Ἰουδαίας
Now in those days John the Baptist appears, preaching in the wilderness of Judea,
Narrative continuationδὲA new scene opens with a vague temporal anchor ('in those days') and a historic-present verb (παραγίνεται) that thrusts John onto the stage as the forerunner.
Ἐνinpreposition + dative (time)
δὲnow/andtransitional conjunction (development)δέ: the mild connective that advances the narrative; here it opens a fresh episode after the infancy narrative.
ταῖςtheDativearticle
ἡμέραιςdaysDativedat. of time (when)ἡμέρα: 'day'; the plural 'in those days' is a loose, biblical-sounding temporal frame, not a precise date.
ἐκείναιςthoseDativedemonstrative adjectiveἐκεῖνος: 'that'; the remote demonstrative loosely links the scene to the preceding Nazareth notice (2:23).
παραγίνεταιappears/comes on the scenePres Mid Indic 3 Sg · παραγίνομαιmain verb (historic present)→ historic present (vivid)παραγίνομαι: 'come, arrive, appear publicly'; the historic present dramatizes John's sudden emergence.
ἸωάννηςJohnNominativesubjectἸωάννης: John (Heb. Yôḥānān, 'YHWH is gracious'); the forerunner; the name declines as a Greek noun.
ὁtheNominativearticle
βαπτιστὴςBaptist/BaptizerNominativeapposition to Ἰωάννης (title)βαπτιστής: 'baptizer'; the distinguishing epithet, derived from his characteristic act of immersing penitents.
κηρύσσωνpreachingPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · κηρύσσωadverbial ptc. (manner/attendant circumstance)→ present (concurrent activity)κηρύσσω: 'proclaim, herald'; the verb of a herald announcing a royal proclamation — fitting the kingdom message.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (place)
τῇtheDativearticle
ἐρήμῳwildernessDativedat. of place (locale of ministry)ἔρημος: 'desert, wilderness'; the desolate Jordan valley, evocative of Israel's wilderness and the Exodus-renewal hope.
τῆςofGenitivearticle
Ἰουδαίαςof JudeaGenitivegenitive of place (region)Ἰουδαία: Judea; the southern region whose desert by the Jordan and the Dead Sea was the site of John's ministry.
2
καὶ λέγων· μετανοεῖτε· ἤγγικεν γὰρ ἡ βασιλεία τῶν οὐρανῶν.
and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has drawn near."
Direct speechκαὶThe content of John's preaching: an imperative call to repent, grounded (γάρ) in the announced nearness of the kingdom — the same summons Jesus will take up (4:17).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
λέγωνsayingPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · λέγωadverbial ptc. (introduces direct speech)→ present (concurrent)λέγω: 'say'; the participle of speech that conventionally introduces the quoted proclamation.
μετανοεῖτεrepentPres Act Impv 2 Pl · μετανοέωmain verb (imperative)→ present imperative (general/ongoing demand)μετανοέω: 'change one's mind, repent' (μετά + νοέω); a radical reorientation of life Godward, not mere regret.
ἤγγικενhas drawn nearPerf Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐγγίζωmain verb (γάρ clause: ground)→ perfect (resultant nearness/imminence)ἐγγίζω: 'come near, approach'; the perfect stresses a present state of nearness — the kingdom has arrived at the threshold.
γὰρforexplanatory/causal conjunction
ἡtheNominativearticle
βασιλείαkingdomNominativesubjectβασιλεία: 'kingship, reign, kingdom'; primarily God's saving rule breaking in, not merely a realm.
τῶνof theGenitivearticle
οὐρανῶνof (the) heavensGenitivegenitive (source/quality; reverential circumlocution)οὐρανός: 'heaven'; Matthew's characteristic 'kingdom of heaven' is a reverent periphrasis for 'kingdom of God.'
3
οὗτος γάρ ἐστιν ὁ ῥηθεὶς διὰ Ἠσαΐου τοῦ προφήτου λέγοντος· φωνὴ βοῶντος ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ· ἑτοιμάσατε τὴν ὁδὸν κυρίου, εὐθείας ποιεῖτε τὰς τρίβους αὐτοῦ.
For this is the one spoken of through Isaiah the prophet, saying: "A voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight."
OT citationγάρMatthew's identifying formula: John is the fulfillment of Isaiah 40:3 (LXX), the wilderness voice preparing the Lord's way — the editorial key to the whole scene.
οὗτοςthis (one)Nominativesubject (demonstrative pronoun)οὗτος: 'this one'; points back to John, identifying him with the prophesied voice.
γάρforexplanatory conjunction
ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (copula)→ stative present
ὁthe (one)Nominativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
ῥηθεὶςwho was spoken ofAor Pass Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · λέγω (εἶπον)substantival participle (predicate)→ constative aoristλέγω (aor. pass. ῥηθείς): 'be spoken/said'; the formulaic 'the one spoken of' marks a prophetic fulfillment.
διὰthroughpreposition + genitive (intermediate agency)
ἨσαΐουIsaiahGenitivegenitive (intermediate agent of the prophecy)Ἠσαΐας: Isaiah; the prophet through whom God spoke — the agency is God's, mediated by the prophet.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
προφήτουprophetGenitiveapposition to Ἠσαΐουπροφήτης: 'prophet'; the title underscores the divine authority of the cited word.
λέγοντοςsayingPres Act Ptc · Gen Sg Masc · λέγωattributive/circumstantial ptc. (agreeing w/ προφήτου)→ present (introduces citation)λέγω: 'say'; introduces the verbatim quotation of Isaiah 40:3.
φωνὴa voiceNominativenominative (heading of citation; subject understood)φωνή: 'voice, sound'; John is reduced to a 'voice' — wholly subordinate to the message he heralds.
βοῶντοςof one crying outPres Act Ptc · Gen Sg Masc · βοάωsubstantival ptc. (genitive: 'of one crying')→ present (durative cry)βοάω: 'cry out, shout'; the loud public cry of the herald in the desert.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (place)
τῇtheDativearticle
ἐρήμῳwildernessDativedat. of placeἔρημος: 'wilderness'; the LXX punctuation joins 'in the wilderness' to the crying voice (vs. the Hebrew's 'in the wilderness prepare').
ἑτοιμάσατεprepareAor Act Impv 2 Pl · ἑτοιμάζωmain verb (imperative; citation)→ aorist imperative (urgent command)ἑτοιμάζω: 'make ready, prepare'; the image is of clearing a royal road for the advent of the King.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
ὁδὸνwayAccusativedirect objectὁδός: 'road, way'; the highway prepared for the Lord's coming — repentance levels the path.
κυρίουof the LordGenitivegenitive of possessionκύριος: 'Lord'; in Isaiah YHWH, but Matthew applies it to the coming Jesus — a high christological move.
εὐθείαςstraightAccusativepredicate adjective (object complement)εὐθύς: 'straight'; 'make his paths straight' — remove every obstacle to the King's approach.
ποιεῖτεmakePres Act Impv 2 Pl · ποιέωmain verb (imperative; citation)→ present imperativeποιέω: 'make, do'; here 'make straight,' parallel to ἑτοιμάσατε.
τὰςtheAccusativearticle
τρίβουςpathsAccusativedirect objectτρίβος: 'beaten path, track'; the worn ways now to be straightened for the Lord.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession
4
αὐτὸς δὲ ὁ Ἰωάννης εἶχεν τὸ ἔνδυμα αὐτοῦ ἀπὸ τριχῶν καμήλου καὶ ζώνην δερματίνην περὶ τὴν ὀσφὺν αὐτοῦ, ἡ δὲ τροφὴ ἦν αὐτοῦ ἀκρίδες καὶ μέλι ἄγριον.
Now John himself had his garment of camel's hair and a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey.
Descriptive asideδὲA parenthetical character-sketch: John's prophetic garb and ascetic diet deliberately echo Elijah (2 Kgs 1:8), marking him as the returning Elijah-figure (cf. 11:14; 17:12).
αὐτὸςhimselfNominativeintensive pronoun (w/ subject)αὐτός: intensive 'himself'; focuses attention back on John's own person and manner of life.
δὲnowtransitional conjunction (parenthesis)
ὁtheNominativearticle
ἸωάννηςJohnNominativesubject
εἶχενhadImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · ἔχωmain verb→ imperfect (customary/descriptive)ἔχω: 'have, wear'; the imperfect paints John's habitual attire.
τὸtheAccusativearticle
ἔνδυμαgarmentAccusativedirect objectἔνδυμα: 'clothing, garment'; the coarse outer cloak of camel's hair, the prophet's mantle.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession
ἀπὸof/frompreposition + genitive (material/source)
τριχῶνhairGenitiveobject of ἀπό (material)θρίξ: 'hair'; 'of camel's hairs' — woven coarse cloth, the antithesis of soft royal robes (cf. 11:8).
καμήλουof a camelGenitivegenitive of sourceκάμηλος: 'camel'; its hair the cheapest, roughest weaving material.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ζώνηνbeltAccusativedirect object (coordinate)ζώνη: 'belt, girdle'; the leather waistband, directly echoing Elijah's dress in 2 Kgs 1:8 LXX.
δερματίνηνleatherAccusativeattributive adjectiveδερμάτινος: 'made of leather/skin'; the rugged material of the prophet's girdle.
περὶaroundpreposition + accusative (place)
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
ὀσφὺνwaistAccusativeobject of περίὀσφῦς: 'loins, waist'; where the belt was bound, ready for active service.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession
ἡtheNominativearticle
δὲand/moreoverconnective (continues description)
τροφὴfoodNominativesubjectτροφή: 'nourishment, food'; John's spare wilderness diet.
ἦνwasImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (copula)→ imperfect (customary)
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession
ἀκρίδεςlocustsNominativepredicate nominativeἀκρίς: 'locust'; a clean food (Lev 11:22), staple of the poor desert-dweller.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
μέλιhoneyNominativepredicate nominative (coordinate)μέλι: 'honey'; gathered wild from rock and tree, not cultivated.
ἄγριονwildNominativeattributive adjectiveἄγριος: 'wild, of the open field'; underscores the untamed, ascetic character of John's sustenance.
5
τότε ἐξεπορεύετο πρὸς αὐτὸν Ἱεροσόλυμα καὶ πᾶσα ἡ Ἰουδαία καὶ πᾶσα ἡ περίχωρος τοῦ Ἰορδάνου,
Then Jerusalem and all Judea and all the region around the Jordan went out to him,
TemporalτότεThe mainline resumes ('then'): a sweeping, hyperbolic notice that the whole region streamed to John, the imperfect depicting the continual outflow.
τότεthentemporal adverb (Matthean transition)τότε: 'then'; a favorite Matthean connective advancing the narrative.
ἐξεπορεύετοwent outImpf Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἐκπορεύομαιmain verb (sing. w/ neut./compound subj.)→ imperfect (continual/iterative)ἐκπορεύομαι: 'go out, stream out' (ἐκ + πορεύομαι); the imperfect pictures a steady procession to the desert.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction)
αὐτὸνhimAccusativeobject of πρός
ἹεροσόλυμαJerusalemNominativesubject (metonymy: city for its people)Ἱεροσόλυμα: Jerusalem; the neuter plural form, here standing for its inhabitants.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
πᾶσαallNominativeattributive adjectiveπᾶς: 'all'; hyperbolic — the whole population, not literally every individual.
ἡtheNominativearticle
ἸουδαίαJudeaNominativesubject (coordinate; metonymy)Ἰουδαία: Judea; here its inhabitants collectively.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
πᾶσαallNominativeattributive adjective
ἡtheNominativearticle
περίχωροςsurrounding regionNominativesubject (coordinate; metonymy)περίχωρος: 'neighboring region' (περί + χώρα); the district along both banks of the Jordan.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle
Ἰορδάνουof the JordanGenitivegenitive of place (the river bounding the region)Ἰορδάνης: the Jordan; the river of John's baptizing, and of Israel's entry into the land — the name declines.
6
καὶ ἐβαπτίζοντο ἐν τῷ Ἰορδάνῃ ποταμῷ ὑπ’ αὐτοῦ ἐξομολογούμενοι τὰς ἁμαρτίας αὐτῶν.
and they were being baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins.
Narrative continuationκαὶThe crowds' response: ongoing baptism (imperfect) accompanied by open confession — repentance enacted in the water of the Jordan.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἐβαπτίζοντοwere being baptizedImpf Pass Indic 3 Pl · βαπτίζωmain verb→ imperfect (iterative/continual)βαπτίζω: 'dip, immerse, baptize'; the imperfect passive depicts the repeated baptizing of the crowds.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (place)
τῷtheDativearticle
ἸορδάνῃJordanDativedat. of placeἸορδάνης: the Jordan; the river declines as a Greek noun and here carries a true dative case.
ποταμῷriverDativeapposition to Ἰορδάνῃποταμός: 'river'; specifies the Jordan as a flowing river suited to immersion.
ὑπ’bypreposition + genitive (agency)
αὐτοῦhimGenitivegenitive of personal agency
ἐξομολογούμενοιconfessingPres Mid Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · ἐξομολογέωadverbial ptc. (manner/attendant circumstance)→ present (concurrent, ongoing)ἐξομολογέω (mid.): 'confess openly, acknowledge' (ἐκ-intensive); public owning of sin accompanies the baptism.
τὰςtheAccusativearticle
ἁμαρτίαςsinsAccusativedirect objectἁμαρτία: 'sin'; lit. 'a missing of the mark' — the moral failures here owned and renounced.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession
7
Ἰδὼν δὲ πολλοὺς τῶν Φαρισαίων καὶ Σαδδουκαίων ἐρχομένους ἐπὶ τὸ βάπτισμα αὐτοῦ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· γεννήματα ἐχιδνῶν, τίς ὑπέδειξεν ὑμῖν φυγεῖν ἀπὸ τῆς μελλούσης ὀργῆς;
But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, "Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?"
Narrative continuationδὲThe scene pivots from crowds to leaders: an aorist participle of perception (Ἰδών) sets up John's blistering rebuke — a vocative of insult and a sarcastic rhetorical question.
Ἰδὼνhaving seenAor Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · ὁράω (εἶδον)adverbial ptc. (temporal/causal)→ aorist (antecedent)ὁράω (aor. ἰδών): 'see, perceive'; John's observation of the leaders triggers his rebuke.
δὲbuttransitional/contrastive conjunction
πολλοὺςmanyAccusativeobject of Ἰδών (substantival adj.)πολύς: 'many'; a sizeable contingent of the leadership came out.
τῶνof theGenitivearticle
ΦαρισαίωνPhariseesGenitivepartitive genitiveΦαρισαῖος: 'Pharisee' (the 'separated ones'); strict lay party zealous for the Law and traditions.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ΣαδδουκαίωνSadduceesGenitivepartitive genitive (coordinate)Σαδδουκαῖος: 'Sadducee'; the priestly-aristocratic party; Matthew pairs the two rival groups as a single front of opposition.
ἐρχομένουςcomingPres Mid Ptc · Acc Pl Masc · ἔρχομαιptc. complementing Ἰδών (perception)→ present (concurrent action seen)ἔρχομαι: 'come'; their approach to the baptism is what John witnesses.
ἐπὶtopreposition + accusative (goal)
τὸtheAccusativearticle
βάπτισμαbaptismAccusativeobject of ἐπίβάπτισμα: 'baptism'; the rite John administered — to which the leaders come, perhaps to scrutinize.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession
εἶπενhe saidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγω (εἶπον)main verb→ constative aoristλέγω: 'say'; introduces John's denunciation.
αὐτοῖςto themDativeindirect object
γεννήματαbrood/offspringVocativevocative of address (insult)γέννημα: 'that which is born, offspring'; 'brood of vipers' — venomous, deadly progeny; a stinging epithet (cf. 12:34; 23:33).
ἐχιδνῶνof vipersGenitivegenitive of relationship/sourceἔχιδνα: 'viper'; a poisonous snake — the metaphor brands them as treacherous and under judgment.
τίςwhoNominativeinterrogative pronoun (subject)τίς: 'who?'; the rhetorical question carries biting irony — who suggested they could escape so easily?
ὑπέδειξενwarned/showedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ὑποδείκνυμιmain verb (question)→ constative aoristὑποδείκνυμι: 'show, intimate, warn'; here 'who tipped you off to flee?' — implying their flight is mere self-interest.
ὑμῖνyouDativeindirect object
φυγεῖνto fleeAor Act Inf · φεύγωcomplementary infinitive→ constative aoristφεύγω: 'flee, escape'; the image of vipers darting from a burning field before the harvest fire.
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (separation)
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
μελλούσηςcomingPres Act Ptc · Gen Sg Fem · μέλλωattributive participle→ present (impending/future)μέλλω: 'be about to'; 'the wrath about to come' — the imminent eschatological judgment.
ὀργῆςwrathGenitiveobject of ἀπόὀργή: 'wrath, anger'; God's settled judicial reaction against sin at the end.
8
ποιήσατε οὖν καρπὸν ἄξιον τῆς μετανοίας·
Produce therefore fruit worthy of repentance,
Direct speechοὖνJohn's positive demand following the rebuke (οὖν): repentance must show itself in concrete fruit, not bare ritual or descent.
ποιήσατεproduce/makeAor Act Impv 2 Pl · ποιέωmain verb (imperative)→ aorist imperative (decisive demand)ποιέω: 'do, produce, bear'; here 'bear fruit' — the life that genuine repentance generates.
οὖνthereforeinferential conjunction
καρπὸνfruitAccusativedirect objectκαρπός: 'fruit'; metaphor for deeds; the singular collective 'fruit' (Luke 3:8 has the plural).
ἄξιονworthyAccusativeattributive adjectiveἄξιος: 'worthy, fitting'; fruit commensurate with a real change of heart.
τῆςofGenitivearticle
μετανοίαςrepentanceGenitivegenitive (the standard worthiness measures up to)μετάνοια: 'repentance, change of mind'; the inward turning whose authenticity is proved by its fruit.
9
καὶ μὴ δόξητε λέγειν ἐν ἑαυτοῖς· πατέρα ἔχομεν τὸν Ἀβραάμ. λέγω γὰρ ὑμῖν ὅτι δύναται ὁ θεὸς ἐκ τῶν λίθων τούτων ἐγεῖραι τέκνα τῷ Ἀβραάμ.
and do not presume to say within yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' For I tell you that God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham.
Direct speechκαὶJohn forecloses the false security of pedigree: a prohibitive subjunctive ('do not presume'), grounded (γάρ) in God's sovereign freedom to make children from stones — a wordplay on Heb. bānîm/'ăbānîm (children/stones).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
μὴnotnegative particle (w/ subjunctive)μή: the negative used with non-indicative moods; here forbidding.
δόξητεpresume/thinkAor Act Subj 2 Pl · δοκέωmain verb (prohibitive subjunctive)→ aorist subjunctive (prohibition)δοκέω: 'think, suppose, presume'; μὴ δόξητε = 'do not take it into your heads' — forbidding complacent assumption.
λέγεινto sayPres Act Inf · λέγωcomplementary infinitive→ present (general)λέγω: 'say'; the content of the presumption follows.
ἐνwithinpreposition + dative (sphere)
ἑαυτοῖςyourselvesDativereflexive pronoun (object of ἐν)ἑαυτοῦ: 'oneself'; 'within yourselves' = in your own minds, your inward self-assurance.
πατέραfatherAccusativedirect object (of ἔχομεν)πατήρ: 'father'; the appeal to Abrahamic ancestry as a guarantee of standing.
ἔχομενwe havePres Act Indic 1 Pl · ἔχωmain verb (quoted boast)→ present (claimed possession)ἔχω: 'have'; the presumptuous claim to inherited privilege.
τὸν—Accusativearticle (w/ proper name)
ἈβραάμAbrahamAccusativeapposition to πατέρα (indeclinable, acc.)Ἀβραάμ: Abraham; indeclinable Hebrew name carrying the syntactic accusative here as object-complement.
λέγωI tellPres Act Indic 1 Sg · λέγωmain verb→ present (declaration)λέγω: 'say, tell'; the solemn 'I say to you' introduces an authoritative assertion.
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
ὑμῖνyouDativeindirect object
ὅτιthatconjunction (content clause)
δύναταιis ablePres Mid Indic 3 Sg · δύναμαιmain verb (ὅτι clause)→ present (ability)δύναμαι: 'be able, have power'; God's sovereign capacity overturns all reliance on lineage.
ὁtheNominativearticle
θεὸςGodNominativesubject
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (source)
τῶνtheGenitivearticle
λίθωνstonesGenitiveobject of ἐκ (material/source)λίθος: 'stone'; the riverbed stones — God can make Abraham's children from lifeless rock (Aram./Heb. pun on 'ăbānîm/bānîm).
τούτωνtheseGenitivedemonstrative adjectiveοὗτος: 'these'; perhaps with a gesture to the stones lying at hand by the Jordan.
ἐγεῖραιto raise upAor Act Inf · ἐγείρωcomplementary infinitive (of δύναται)→ constative aoristἐγείρω: 'raise, raise up'; here 'bring into being' children — a creative, sovereign act.
τέκναchildrenAccusativedirect objectτέκνον: 'child'; the true children of Abraham defined by God's act, not by physical descent.
τῷforDativearticle
ἈβραάμAbrahamDativedat. of advantage ('for Abraham'; indeclinable)Ἀβραάμ: Abraham; indeclinable name bearing a true dative of advantage here.
10
ἤδη δὲ ἡ ἀξίνη πρὸς τὴν ῥίζαν τῶν δένδρων κεῖται· πᾶν οὖν δένδρον μὴ ποιοῦν καρπὸν καλὸν ἐκκόπτεται καὶ εἰς πῦρ βάλλεται.
And already the axe is laid at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
Direct speechδὲThe threat of imminent judgment: 'already' (ἤδη) the axe is poised; an inferential (οὖν) gnomic principle — every fruitless tree is felled and burned. Present tenses depict the certain, ongoing rule.
ἤδηalreadytemporal adverb (emphatic, fronted)ἤδη: 'already, now'; stresses the immediacy of judgment — no time remains for empty presumption.
δὲandconnective
ἡtheNominativearticle
ἀξίνηaxeNominativesubjectἀξίνη: 'axe'; the instrument of judgment, laid ready against the unfruitful tree.
πρὸςatpreposition + accusative (position/direction)
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
ῥίζανrootAccusativeobject of πρόςῥίζα: 'root'; the axe at the root, not the branches — total, decisive removal threatens.
τῶνof theGenitivearticle
δένδρωνtreesGenitivegenitive (whose root)δένδρον: 'tree'; the trees standing for persons judged by their fruit.
κεῖταιis laid/liesPres Mid Indic 3 Sg · κεῖμαιmain verb→ present (state of readiness)κεῖμαι: 'lie, be laid'; the axe lies poised — judgment is set and waiting.
πᾶνeveryNominativeattributive adjectiveπᾶς: 'every, all'; the principle admits no exception.
οὖνthereforeinferential conjunction
δένδρονtreeNominativesubjectδένδρον: 'tree'; the gnomic subject of the judgment-maxim.
μὴnotnegative particle (w/ ptc.)
ποιοῦνbearingPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Neut · ποιέωattributive participle (qualifies δένδρον)→ present (characteristic)ποιέω: 'make, bear'; the tree's failure to produce good fruit is its condemnation.
καρπὸνfruitAccusativedirect object (of ποιοῦν)καρπός: 'fruit'; deeds proving the inner reality.
καλὸνgoodAccusativeattributive adjectiveκαλός: 'good, fine'; sound, beautiful fruit — morally excellent.
ἐκκόπτεταιis cut downPres Pass Indic 3 Sg · ἐκκόπτωmain verb→ gnomic present (certain rule)ἐκκόπτω: 'cut out/down' (ἐκ + κόπτω); felling the worthless tree.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (direction)
πῦρfireAccusativeobject of εἰςπῦρ: 'fire'; the burning of the felled tree — an image of eschatological judgment.
βάλλεταιis thrownPres Pass Indic 3 Sg · βάλλωmain verb (coordinate)→ gnomic present (certain rule)βάλλω: 'throw, cast'; the final disposal of the fruitless tree in fire.
11
ἐγὼ μὲν ὑμᾶς βαπτίζω ἐν ὕδατι εἰς μετάνοιαν, ὁ δὲ ὀπίσω μου ἐρχόμενος ἰσχυρότερός μού ἐστιν, οὗ οὐκ εἰμὶ ἱκανὸς τὰ ὑποδήματα βαστάσαι· αὐτὸς ὑμᾶς βαπτίσει ἐν πνεύματι ἁγίῳ καὶ πυρί·
I baptize you with water for repentance, but the one coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry; he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
Direct speechμὲνThe μέν … δέ antithesis sets John's preparatory water-baptism over against the Coming One's mightier baptism with Spirit and fire — John's self-effacement (unworthy even to carry his sandals) magnifying the Greater.
ἐγὼINominativesubject (emphatic pronoun)ἐγώ: 'I'; the expressed pronoun, emphatic in contrast to 'the one coming after.'
μὲνindeedparticle (μέν … δέ correlative)μέν: marks the first member of an antithesis answered by δέ.
ὑμᾶςyouAccusativedirect object
βαπτίζωbaptizePres Act Indic 1 Sg · βαπτίζωmain verb→ present (customary)βαπτίζω: 'immerse, baptize'; John's characteristic act, here defined by its medium and aim.
ἐνwith/inpreposition + dative (means/element)
ὕδατιwaterDativedat. of means/elementὕδωρ: 'water'; the merely preparatory element of John's baptism.
εἰςfor/untopreposition + accusative (purpose/reference)
μετάνοιανrepentanceAccusativeobject of εἰς (goal/reference)μετάνοια: 'repentance'; the baptism's aim — εἰς here 'with reference to / leading to' repentance, not its instrument.
ὁthe (one)Nominativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
δὲbutparticle (answers μέν; contrast)
ὀπίσωafterimproper preposition + genitive (sequence)ὀπίσω: 'behind, after'; 'coming after me' — later in time, though far greater in rank.
μουmeGenitiveobject of ὀπίσω
ἐρχόμενοςcomingPres Mid Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · ἔρχομαιsubstantival participle (subject)→ present (the Coming One)ἔρχομαι: 'come'; 'the Coming One' (ὁ ἐρχόμενος) is a near-title for the Messiah (cf. 11:3).
ἰσχυρότερόςmightierNominativepredicate adjective (comparative)ἰσχυρός (compar.): 'stronger, mightier'; the Coming One surpasses John in power and authority.
μούthan IGenitivegenitive of comparison
ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (copula)→ stative present
οὗwhoseGenitiverelative pronoun (possessive genitive)
οὐκnotnegative particle
εἰμὶI amPres Act Indic 1 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (copula)→ stative present
ἱκανὸςworthy/fitNominativepredicate adjectiveἱκανός: 'sufficient, fit, worthy'; carrying the sandals was the lowest slave's task — John is not fit even for that.
τὰtheAccusativearticle
ὑποδήματαsandalsAccusativedirect object (of βαστάσαι)ὑπόδημα: 'sandal'; the footwear a menial slave would carry or untie.
βαστάσαιto carryAor Act Inf · βαστάζωepexegetical/complementary infinitive (of ἱκανός)→ constative aoristβαστάζω: 'carry, bear'; Matthew has 'carry' (Mark/Luke: 'untie') — either the slave's humblest service.
αὐτὸςheNominativesubject (emphatic pronoun)αὐτός: 'he himself'; emphatic — it is the Coming One, not John, who effects the greater baptism.
ὑμᾶςyouAccusativedirect object
βαπτίσειwill baptizeFut Act Indic 3 Sg · βαπτίζωmain verb→ predictive futureβαπτίζω: 'baptize'; the future deed of the Messiah, surpassing water.
ἐνwith/inpreposition + dative (means/element)
πνεύματιSpiritDativedat. of means/elementπνεῦμα: 'Spirit'; the Holy Spirit — the saving, purifying outpouring promised for the messianic age (Joel 2; Ezek 36).
ἁγίῳHolyDativeattributive adjectiveἅγιος: 'holy'; qualifies the Spirit as the Holy Spirit.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
πυρίfireDativedat. of means/element (coordinate)πῦρ: 'fire'; either the purifying/judging fire paired with the Spirit, or the dual outcome — Spirit for the repentant, fire for the unrepentant (cf. v.12).
12
οὗ τὸ πτύον ἐν τῇ χειρὶ αὐτοῦ καὶ διακαθαριεῖ τὴν ἅλωνα αὐτοῦ καὶ συνάξει τὸν σῖτον αὐτοῦ εἰς τὴν ἀποθήκην, τὸ δὲ ἄχυρον κατακαύσει πυρὶ ἀσβέστῳ.
His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will thoroughly clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.
Direct speechasyndetonThe harvest image elaborates the twofold baptism: the Coming One as winnower separates wheat (gathered, saved) from chaff (burned with unquenchable fire) — present judgment portending the final sifting.
οὗwhoseGenitiverelative pronoun (possessive genitive)
τὸtheNominativearticle
πτύονwinnowing forkNominativesubject (of implied ἐστιν)πτύον: 'winnowing shovel/fork'; the tool that tosses threshed grain into the wind to separate wheat from chaff.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (place)
τῇtheDativearticle
χειρὶhandDativedat. of placeχείρ: 'hand'; 'in his hand' — the winnowing is already underway, judgment ready.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
διακαθαριεῖwill thoroughly clearFut Act Indic 3 Sg · διακαθαρίζωmain verb→ predictive futureδιακαθαρίζω: 'cleanse thoroughly' (διά-intensive); a complete clearing of the threshing floor.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
ἅλωναthreshing floorAccusativedirect objectἅλων: 'threshing floor'; by metonymy the heaped grain on it, to be sorted.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
συνάξειwill gatherFut Act Indic 3 Sg · συνάγωmain verb→ predictive futureσυνάγω: 'gather together' (σύν + ἄγω); gathering the saved wheat into safekeeping.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
σῖτονwheatAccusativedirect objectσῖτος: 'grain, wheat'; the valuable kernel — the righteous gathered to salvation.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (direction)
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
ἀποθήκηνbarn/storehouseAccusativeobject of εἰςἀποθήκη: 'storehouse, granary'; the safe garner — image of the kingdom's ingathering (cf. 13:30).
τὸtheAccusativearticle
δὲbutcontrastive conjunction
ἄχυρονchaffAccusativedirect object (fronted for contrast)ἄχυρον: 'chaff, straw'; the worthless husk blown off — the unrepentant destined for fire.
κατακαύσειwill burn upFut Act Indic 3 Sg · κατακαίωmain verb→ predictive futureκατακαίω: 'burn up completely' (κατά-intensive); total consumption of the chaff.
πυρὶwith fireDativedat. of means/instrumentπῦρ: 'fire'; the means of judgment.
ἀσβέστῳunquenchableDativeattributive adjectiveἄσβεστος: 'unquenchable, inextinguishable' (ἀ- + σβέννυμι); the fire of final, irreversible judgment.
13
Τότε παραγίνεται ὁ Ἰησοῦς ἀπὸ τῆς Γαλιλαίας ἐπὶ τὸν Ἰορδάνην πρὸς τὸν Ἰωάννην τοῦ βαπτισθῆναι ὑπ’ αὐτοῦ.
Then Jesus comes from Galilee to the Jordan, to John, to be baptized by him.
TemporalΤότεA new scene ('then') with the same historic-present verb that introduced John (παραγίνεται, v.1): Jesus now arrives, his stated purpose being baptism at John's hand.
Τότεthentemporal adverb (Matthean transition)τότε: 'then'; advances to the baptism scene.
παραγίνεταιcomesPres Mid Indic 3 Sg · παραγίνομαιmain verb (historic present)→ historic present (vivid)παραγίνομαι: 'arrive, appear'; the same verb as v.1 — Jesus' arrival parallels John's, the two figures meeting.
ὁ—Nominativearticle (w/ proper name)
ἸησοῦςJesusNominativesubjectἸησοῦς: Jesus (Heb. Yēšûaʿ, 'YHWH saves'); the protagonist now enters in person.
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (source/origin)
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
ΓαλιλαίαςGalileeGenitiveobject of ἀπό (point of departure)Γαλιλαία: Galilee; Jesus' northern home region, from which he journeys south to the Jordan.
ἐπὶtopreposition + accusative (direction)
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
ἸορδάνηνJordanAccusativeobject of ἐπί (destination)Ἰορδάνης: the Jordan; the goal of Jesus' journey — the name declines, here accusative.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction toward a person)
τὸν—Accusativearticle (w/ proper name)
ἸωάννηνJohnAccusativeobject of πρόςἸωάννης: John; Jesus comes specifically to the baptizer.
τοῦ—Genitivearticle (w/ articular infinitive)
βαπτισθῆναιto be baptizedAor Pass Inf · βαπτίζωarticular infinitive of purpose (τοῦ + inf.)→ constative aoristβαπτίζω: 'baptize'; the genitive articular infinitive expresses Jesus' purpose in coming.
ὑπ’bypreposition + genitive (agency)
αὐτοῦhimGenitivegenitive of personal agency
14
ὁ δὲ Ἰωάννης διεκώλυεν αὐτὸν λέγων· ἐγὼ χρείαν ἔχω ὑπὸ σοῦ βαπτισθῆναι, καὶ σὺ ἔρχῃ πρός με;
But John tried to prevent him, saying, "I have need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?"
Narrative continuationδὲJohn's resistance: the imperfect (διεκώλυεν) marks an attempted prevention; his protest reverses the expected roles — the lesser should not baptize the Greater.
ὁ—Nominativearticle (w/ proper name)
δὲbutcontrastive conjunction
ἸωάννηςJohnNominativesubject
διεκώλυενtried to preventImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · διακωλύωmain verb→ conative imperfect (attempted action)διακωλύω: 'hinder, prevent' (διά-intensive); the conative imperfect = 'kept trying to prevent / would have prevented.'
αὐτὸνhimAccusativedirect object
λέγωνsayingPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · λέγωadverbial ptc. (introduces direct speech)→ present (concurrent)λέγω: 'say'; introduces John's protest.
ἐγὼINominativesubject (emphatic pronoun)ἐγώ: 'I'; emphatic, contrasted with the following σύ — John, not Jesus, is the one who needs baptizing.
χρείανneedAccusativedirect object (χρείαν ἔχω idiom)χρεία: 'need'; χρείαν ἔχω = 'I have need, I need.'
ἔχωI havePres Act Indic 1 Sg · ἔχωmain verb→ present (state)ἔχω: 'have'; in the idiom 'have need.'
ὑπὸbypreposition + genitive (agency)
σοῦyouGenitivegenitive of agency
βαπτισθῆναιto be baptizedAor Pass Inf · βαπτίζωepexegetical infinitive (of χρείαν)→ constative aoristβαπτίζω: 'baptize'; what John says he himself needs from Jesus.
καὶandconjunction (consecutive/adversative in question)
σὺyouNominativesubject (emphatic pronoun)σύ: 'you'; emphatic — 'and do you come to me?', the incongruity that troubles John.
ἔρχῃdo you comePres Mid Indic 2 Sg · ἔρχομαιmain verb (question)→ present (immediate)ἔρχομαι: 'come'; John's astonished question at the reversal of roles.
πρόςtopreposition + accusative (direction)
μεmeAccusativeobject of πρός
15
ἀποκριθεὶς δὲ ὁ Ἰησοῦς εἶπεν πρὸς αὐτόν· ἄφες ἄρτι, οὕτως γὰρ πρέπον ἐστὶν ἡμῖν πληρῶσαι πᾶσαν δικαιοσύνην. τότε ἀφίησιν αὐτόν.
But Jesus answered and said to him, "Permit it now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then he permits him.
Direct speechδὲJesus' decisive reply overrides the objection: a present imperative 'permit now' plus the programmatic rationale (γάρ) — fulfilling 'all righteousness' — after which John yields (historic present ἀφίησιν).
ἀποκριθεὶςansweringAor Pass Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · ἀποκρίνομαιadverbial ptc. (Semitic 'answered and said')→ aorist (coincident)ἀποκρίνομαι: 'answer, reply'; the redundant participle reflects the Hebraic ʿānāh wayyōʾmer ('answered and said').
δὲbuttransitional conjunction
ὁ—Nominativearticle (w/ proper name)
ἸησοῦςJesusNominativesubject
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγω (εἶπον)main verb→ constative aoristλέγω: 'say'; introduces Jesus' reply.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction)
αὐτόνhimAccusativeobject of πρός
ἄφεςpermit/allowAor Act Impv 2 Sg · ἀφίημιmain verb (imperative)→ aorist imperative (specific command)ἀφίημι: 'let go, permit, allow'; 'let it be so now' — overrule your scruple for the present.
ἄρτιnowtemporal adverbἄρτι: 'now, at this moment'; the present propriety, whatever may be fitting later.
οὕτωςthusadverb of manner (correlates w/ following inf.)οὕτως: 'thus, in this way'; 'for so it is fitting' — pointing to the baptism as the fitting course.
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction (rationale)
πρέπονfittingPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Neut · πρέπωpredicate ptc. (w/ ἐστιν, periphrastic 'it is fitting')→ present (impersonal)πρέπω: 'be fitting, proper'; the impersonal πρέπον ἐστίν = 'it is becoming/right.'
ἐστὶνisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (w/ πρέπον)→ stative present
ἡμῖνfor usDativedat. of reference (the persons it befits)the 'us' binds Jesus and John together in the shared obligation to fulfill God's righteous will.
πληρῶσαιto fulfillAor Act Inf · πληρόωinfinitive (subject of πρέπον ἐστίν)→ constative aoristπληρόω: 'fill, fulfill, complete'; here to bring God's saving, righteous purpose to its appointed accomplishment.
πᾶσανallAccusativeattributive adjectiveπᾶς: 'all, every'; the whole sweep of what righteousness requires.
δικαιοσύνηνrighteousnessAccusativedirect object (of πληρῶσαι)δικαιοσύνη: 'righteousness'; in Matthew, conformity to God's saving will — Jesus identifies with the people and fulfills the Father's ordained plan.
τότεthentemporal adverbτότε: 'then'; marks John's consent following Jesus' word.
ἀφίησινhe permitsPres Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀφίημιmain verb (historic present)→ historic present (vivid)ἀφίημι: 'let go, permit'; John acquiesces, the historic present matching the verb of his own word (ἄφες).
αὐτόνhimAccusativedirect object (of ἀφίησιν)
16
βαπτισθεὶς δὲ ὁ Ἰησοῦς εὐθὺς ἀνέβη ἀπὸ τοῦ ὕδατος· καὶ ἰδοὺ ἠνεῴχθησαν αὐτῷ οἱ οὐρανοί, καὶ εἶδεν τὸ πνεῦμα τοῦ θεοῦ καταβαῖνον ὡσεὶ περιστερὰν καὶ ἐρχόμενον ἐπ’ αὐτόν·
And when Jesus had been baptized, immediately he went up from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming upon him.
Narrative continuationδὲThe theophany unfolds in rapid succession (εὐθύς … ἰδού): heavens opened, Spirit descending as a dove — a triple-attested epiphany inaugurating Jesus' messianic mission.
βαπτισθεὶςhaving been baptizedAor Pass Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · βαπτίζωadverbial ptc. (temporal)→ aorist (antecedent)βαπτίζω: 'baptize'; the baptism completed, the heavenly response immediately follows.
δὲandtransitional conjunction
ὁ—Nominativearticle (w/ proper name)
ἸησοῦςJesusNominativesubject
εὐθὺςimmediatelytemporal adverbεὐθύς: 'at once, immediately'; the swift sequence of baptism and heavenly sign.
ἀνέβηwent upAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀναβαίνωmain verb→ constative aoristἀναβαίνω: 'go up, come up' (ἀνά + βαίνω); Jesus rising from the water.
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (separation)
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
ὕδατοςwaterGenitiveobject of ἀπόὕδωρ: 'water'; the Jordan from which he ascends.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἰδοὺbeholdinterjection (attention-marker)ἰδού: 'behold!'; the dramatic deictic that heralds the heavenly epiphany.
ἠνεῴχθησανwere openedAor Pass Indic 3 Pl · ἀνοίγωmain verb→ constative aorist (divine passive)ἀνοίγω: 'open'; the opened heavens signal divine self-disclosure (cf. Ezek 1:1; Isa 64:1).
αὐτῷto himDativedat. of reference/advantagethe heavens opened 'to him' — the vision is granted especially to Jesus (Mark: 'he saw').
οἱtheNominativearticle
οὐρανοίheavensNominativesubjectοὐρανός: 'heaven'; the plural reflects the Hebrew šāmayim — the heavens parting for the Spirit's descent.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
εἶδενhe sawAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ὁράω (εἶδον)main verb→ constative aoristὁράω: 'see'; Jesus is the subject who beholds the Spirit's descent.
τὸtheAccusativearticle
πνεῦμαSpiritAccusativedirect objectπνεῦμα: 'Spirit'; the Spirit of God anointing the Messiah for his mission (cf. Isa 11:2; 42:1; 61:1).
τοῦofGenitivearticle
θεοῦof GodGenitivegenitive of source/possession
καταβαῖνονdescendingPres Act Ptc · Acc Sg Neut · καταβαίνωptc. complementing εἶδεν (object of perception)→ present (action seen in progress)καταβαίνω: 'come down' (κατά + βαίνω); the Spirit's visible descent upon Jesus.
ὡσεὶlike/ascomparative particleὡσεί: 'as, like'; the dove-image describes the manner of the descent (whether of form or of gentle motion is debated).
περιστερὰνa doveAccusativeaccusative w/ ὡσεί (comparison)περιστερά: 'dove, pigeon'; the simile — perhaps recalling the Spirit hovering over the waters (Gen 1:2) or the new-creation dove of Noah (Gen 8).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἐρχόμενονcomingPres Mid Ptc · Acc Sg Neut · ἔρχομαιptc. complementing εἶδεν (coordinate w/ καταβαῖνον)→ present (action seen)ἔρχομαι: 'come'; the Spirit's arrival 'upon him' — the messianic anointing.
ἐπ’uponpreposition + accusative (direction onto)
αὐτόνhimAccusativeobject of ἐπί
17
καὶ ἰδοὺ φωνὴ ἐκ τῶν οὐρανῶν λέγουσα· οὗτός ἐστιν ὁ υἱός μου ὁ ἀγαπητός, ἐν ᾧ εὐδόκησα.
and behold, a voice from the heavens saying, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."
Direct speechκαὶThe climactic heavenly declaration (a second ἰδού): the Father's voice identifies Jesus as the beloved Son — weaving Ps 2:7 (royal Son) and Isa 42:1 (chosen Servant) into a single attestation. Matthew's third-person 'This is' addresses the witnessing reader, not only Jesus.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἰδοὺbeholdinterjection (attention-marker)ἰδού: 'behold!'; the second deictic, heralding the voice as the climax of the theophany.
φωνὴa voiceNominativesubject (of implied ἦν/ἐγένετο)φωνή: 'voice, sound'; the heavenly voice (the bat qol of later tradition), here the Father's own utterance.
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (source)
τῶνtheGenitivearticle
οὐρανῶνheavensGenitiveobject of ἐκ (source)οὐρανός: 'heaven'; the voice issues from the opened heavens of v.16.
λέγουσαsayingPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Fem · λέγωattributive/adverbial ptc. (agreeing w/ φωνή)→ present (introduces declaration)λέγω: 'say'; the feminine participle agrees with φωνή, introducing the divine words.
οὗτόςthisNominativesubject (demonstrative pronoun)οὗτος: 'this one'; Matthew's third-person 'This is' (Mark/Luke: 'You are') turns the word into a public proclamation about Jesus.
ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (copula)→ stative present
ὁtheNominativearticle
υἱόςSonNominativepredicate nominativeυἱός: 'Son'; 'my Son' echoes Ps 2:7 — the messianic King declared God's Son.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of relationship
ὁtheNominativearticle (w/ adj.)
ἀγαπητόςbelovedNominativeattributive adjective (second predicate)ἀγαπητός: 'beloved'; possibly also 'only' (cf. Gen 22:2 of Isaac); the unique, cherished Son.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere/reference)
ᾧwhomDativerelative pronoun (object of ἐν)
εὐδόκησαI am well pleasedAor Act Indic 1 Sg · εὐδοκέωmain verb (rel. clause)→ aorist (timeless/complexive; 'in whom I delight')εὐδοκέω: 'be well pleased, take delight'; echoing Isa 42:1 (the chosen Servant in whom God delights) — the aorist expresses settled good pleasure.