Key Verse Spotlight
Matthew 3:12 - Meaning and Application
Understand how this verse speaks to what you're facing and how to apply it today
Translation: World English Bible — Catholic Edition
" 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.” "
Matthew 3:12
Verse in Context
Understanding the surrounding verses prevents misinterpretation:
10 Even now the ax lies at the root of the trees. Therefore every tree that doesn’t produce good fruit is cut down, and cast into the fire.
11 “I indeed baptize you in water for repentance, but he who comes after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you in the Holy Spirit.
12 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.”
13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him.
14 But John would have hindered him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and you come to me?”
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Matthew 3:1
"In those days, John the Baptizer came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, saying,"
Matthew 3:2
"“Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!”"
Matthew 3:3
"For this is he who was spoken of by Isaiah the prophet, saying, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness, make the way of the Lord ready! Make his paths straight!”"
Matthew 3:4
"Now John himself wore clothing made of camel’s hair with a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey."
Matthew 3:5
"Then people from Jerusalem, all of Judea, and all the region around the Jordan went out to him."
Matthew 3:6
"They were baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins."
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