The Function of John’s Baptism in Matthew’s Gospel: A Dramatized Declaration of the Coming Judgment

Through comparisons with Qumran rites, Old Testament lustrations, and proselyte and Christian baptism, a wide spectrum of views have been postulated in New Testament scholarship concerning the baptism of John.

This paper will offer an interpretation of John’s enigmatic baptism against the backdrop of the sign-acts performed by the prophets of the Old Testament. The themes of judgment that emerge out of those prophetic sign-acts correspond to the prophetic word given to Israel.

…this paper will seek to demonstrate that like the prophets before him, John’s prophetic word to the nation is evenly balanced and further dramatized by his prophetic sign-act.

As the gospels in general and Matthew in particular assign prophetic status to John the Baptist, this paper will seek to demonstrate that like the prophets before him, John’s prophetic word to the nation is evenly balanced and further dramatized by his prophetic sign-act. If the nation will not repent before the coming kingdom of heaven, the fires of judgment will fall.