Adam Clarke's Bible Commentary-17 Verse 16-17. On these verses see Matt. iii. 11, 12, and Mark i. 7, 8, and particularly the note on John iii. 5.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 15-20 - John the Baptist disowned being himself the Christ, but confirmed the people in their expectations of the long-promised Messiah. He coul only exhort them to repent, and assure them of forgiveness upo repentance; but he could not work repentance in them, nor confe remission on them. Thus highly does it become us to speak of Christ and thus humbly of ourselves. John can do no more than baptize with water, in token that they ought to purify and cleanse themselves; but Christ can, and will baptize with the Holy Ghost; he can give the Spirit, to cleanse and purify the heart, not only as water washes of the dirt on the outside, but as fire clears out the dross that is within, and melts down the metal, that it may be cast into a new mould John was an affectionate preacher; he was beseeching; he pressed thing home upon his hearers. He was a practical preacher; quickening them to their duty, and directing them in it. He was a popular preacher; he addressed the people, according to their capacity. He was a evangelical preacher. In all his exhortations, he directed people to Christ. When we press duty upon people, we must direct them to Christ both for righteousness and strength. He was a copious preacher; he shunned not to declare the whole counsel of God. But a full stop wa put to John's preaching when he was in the midst of his usefulness Herod being reproved by him for many evils, shut up John in prison Those who injure the faithful servants of God, add still greater guil to their other sins.
Greek Textus Receptus
ου 3739 R-GSM το 3588 T-NSN πτυον 4425 N-NSN εν 1722 PREP τη 3588 T-DSF χειρι 5495 N-DSF αυτου 846 P-GSM και 2532 CONJ διακαθαριει 1245 5692 V-FAI-3S-ATT την 3588 T-ASF αλωνα 257 N-ASF αυτου 846 P-GSM και 2532 CONJ συναξει 4863 5692 V-FAI-3S τον 3588 T-ASM σιτον 4621 N-ASM εις 1519 PREP την 3588 T-ASF αποθηκην 596 N-ASF αυτου 846 P-GSM το 3588 T-ASN δε 1161 CONJ αχυρον 892 N-ASN κατακαυσει 2618 5692 V-FAI-3S πυρι 4442 N-DSN ασβεστω 762 A-DSN
Vincent's NT Word Studies
17. Fan - floor - purge. See on Matt. iii. 12.
