Big Idea: In introducing John the Baptist and narrating Jesus’ baptism, Matthew announces the restoration of God’s kingdom through Jesus’ own covenant faithfulness for all those who will repent.

Understanding the Text

Having narrated Jesus’ birth, Matthew fast-forwards to the events leading up to Jesus’ public ministry, including Jesus’ baptism by John (chap. 3). Matthew indicates that John the Baptist’s ministry prepares for that of Jesus (3:3; cf. Isa. 40:3) and also resonates with Jesus’ ministry, as themes of repentance, warnings of judgment, and Gentile inclusion in the coming kingdom of God resound. Jesus as God’s son has already been introduced at 2:15, where Jesus’ sonship is compared to that of Israel’s (“Out of Egypt I called my son”). Now the motif of Jesus as the faithful Son…