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Artwork for The Axe and the Winnowing Fan

Matthew 3:1-12

The Axe and the Winnowing Fan

Lyrics · Matthew

The Axe and the Winnowing Fan

Matthew 3:1-12

Lyrics

About this song

About this song

This song belongs to the Matthew collection. One recording is available to play here, with the complete lyrics below.

Bible book
Matthew
Collection
Matthew
Musical styles
Uncategorized
[Refrain - wilderness cry] Prepare ye the way of the Lord, Make his paths straight in the wilderness. Bring forth fruits meet for repentance; The kingdom of heaven is at hand. [Verse 1 - Jordan] Jerusalem came down to the river, Confessing their sins in the running water. John wore camel's hair and a leathern girdle, His meat was locusts and wild honey. [Breakdown - stones and roots] Think not to say, We have Abraham. God can raise children from these stones. Now is the axe laid unto the root; Every barren tree is cast into the fire. [Verse 2 - the stronger one] I baptize with water unto repentance, But one comes after, mightier than I. I am not worthy to bear his shoes; He shall baptize with the Holy Ghost and fire. [Chorus - the floor] His fan is in his hand, He will throughly purge his floor. He will gather the wheat into the garner; The chaff shall burn with unquenchable fire.

Named in this songJordanJerusalemJohnAbraham

About the passage

Matthew 3: The wilderness voice and the opened heaven

The center of attention moves into the wilderness, where John announces the nearness of the kingdom and makes repentance visible in confession rather than ancestry. Jerusalem and Judaea go out to him instead of waiting for a message from the center. When Pharisees and Sadducees appear, John refuses Abrahamic descent as an exemption and sets fruit, axe, wheat, and chaff beside the coming one’s greater work. Then Jesus arrives asking for baptism. John sees the mismatch and objects, but Jesus describes the act as fitting the fulfillment of righteousness. The chapter closes with opened heaven, the Spirit descending like a dove, and the Father identifying Jesus as the beloved Son before that sonship is tested.

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