Translation commentary on Matthew 3:6

Good News Translation restructures this verse chronologically, placing the act of confession before that of baptism. In Greek baptized translates an imperfect tense (parallel to the imperfect of “went out” in verse 5), while confessing translates a participle (a present participle in Greek may refer to an action preceding that of the main verb). But these represent formal features of the Greek, and the translator must decide what form is most adequate for the needs of the receptor language. Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch, among others, restructures in chronological sequence in Good News Bible tradition. It should be noted that the gift of forgiveness came later from Jesus (see Matt 26.28); there is no connection between baptism and forgiveness as in Mark. Here the work of the Baptist relates solely to the matter of confession.

Some scholars believe that were baptized by him may rather have the meaning “were baptized under his supervision” or “baptized themselves under his supervision.” No translations go in this direction.

Some suggest that John took over his rite of baptism from Jewish proselyte baptism; one scholar, for example, affirms without hesitation that it was taken from the Qumran community (the Essenes), but given a “far more profound meaning.” For a summary discussion of the differences between the baptism of the Qumran community and that of John the Baptist, see the modern commentaries. Regardless of the source of John’s baptism, the meaning that he gave to it is clear in the context. For a discussion of baptized, see verse 3.1. Here “they had John baptize them” or “John baptized them.”

The word confessing is often translated as “They declared openly the wrong things they had done” or “They admitted in public (or, before God) their sins.”

Whichever action, confessing or baptizing, is given first, the important thing is that the relationship between them be clear. Chronologically, the confessing preceded their being baptized. It was the people who confessed and John who baptized them. It should not sound as if John was confessing. This can be expressed as “They declared before all the sins they had done, and John baptized them in the Jordan River” or “The people were baptized by John in the Jordan River after they confessed their sins.”

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Stine, Philip C. A Handbook on the Gospel of Matthew. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1988. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 3:6

3:6

The Berean Standard Bible reverses the order of the Greek phrases in 3:6. In some languages, it may be more natural to follow the example of the Berean Standard Bible. For example:

6bThey confessed their sins, 6aand he baptized them in the Jordan River. (New Century Version)

However, in some languages, it may be more natural to follow the Greek order. For example:

6aand they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, 6bconfessing their sins. (English Standard Version)

3:6a

Confessing their sins: The phrase Confessing their sins refers to publicly admitting what their sins were. It is implied that the people were sorry for their sins.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

They told how sorry they were for their sins (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
They were admitting to God that they had sinned

sins: The Greek word that English versions translate as sins refers to anything that people do or do not do that is against God’s will. This includes acts, thoughts, and attitudes. In other words, sin is anything that violates God’s standard of what is right and good.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

wrong acts
-or-
offenses ⌊against God⌋
-or-
evil deeds

This word also occurs in 1:21c. You should translate it here as you did there.

3:6b

they were baptized by him in the Jordan River: The verb were baptized is passive. Some ways to translate this verb are:

• As a passive verb. For example:

they were baptized by him (Revised Standard Version)

• As an active verb. For example:

he was baptizing them (NET Bible)

The Greek verb probably indicates that John was baptizing people during a period of time. He may have been baptizing people over a period of weeks or months.

Only some of those who came confessed their sins and were baptized. And John baptized only the people who confessed their sins. You should not imply that John baptized everyone who went to see him.

were baptized: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as were baptized means to be ceremonially washed/purified with a special ritual that uses water. In this context, people were purified from their sins. They were not washed to remove dirt from their bodies. A person was baptized as an initiation into a new spiritual condition.

Here are some other ways to translate the word baptized:

• Use a descriptive term. For example:

ritually washed
-or-
initiated people in/with water

• Use a term for a similar ritual that is already part of your culture. You may need to indicate that in this context it has a special connection with God. For example:

⌊ceremonially/ritually⌋ wash
-or-
wash you to make you pure before God
-or-
give you an initiation bath
-or-
purify people with God’s ceremonial bath
-or-
wash people in initiation water for God

• Use a term that is already accepted by the local churches. In some areas this term may have been borrowed from the national language or transliterated from Greek or English.

See baptize, Meaning 1, in the Glossary for more information.

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