Church Fathers Commentary Matthew 3:5-6

"Then went out unto him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about the Jordan; and they were baptized of him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins." — Matthew 3:5-6 (ASV)

Pseudo-Chrysostom: Having described the preaching of John, he goes on to say, "There went out to him," for his severe life preached even more loudly in the desert than the voice of his crying.

St. John Chrysostom: For it was wonderful to see such fortitude in a human body; this is what chiefly attracted the Jews, who saw in him the great Elijah. It also filled them with wonder that the grace of prophecy, having long failed among them, now seemed to have finally revived.

Also, the manner of his preaching had a great effect, as it was different from that of the old prophets. For they were no longer hearing the things they were accustomed to hearing—such as wars and conquests by the king of Babylon or of Persia—but about Heaven, the Kingdom there, and the punishment of hell.

Glossa Ordinaria: This baptism was only a forerunner of the one to come and did not forgive sins.^{i 1}

Remigius of Auxerre: The baptism of John symbolized the status of catechumens. Just as children are catechized so that they may become ready for the sacrament of Baptism, so John baptized in order that those who were baptized might, by a holy life, afterward become worthy of coming to Christ's baptism. He baptized in the Jordan so that the door to the Kingdom of Heaven might be opened there, where an entrance into the earthly kingdom of promise had been given to the children of Israel.

Pseudo-Chrysostom: Compared with the holiness of John, who can think himself righteous? Just as a white garment placed near snow would seem dirty by contrast, so every person would seem impure when compared with John; therefore, they confessed their sins.

Confession of sin is the testimony of a conscience that fears God, and perfect fear takes away all shame. But the shame of confession is seen only where there is no fear of the judgment to come. Since shame is itself a heavy punishment, God therefore bids us confess our sins so that we may suffer this shame as a punishment, for that is itself a part of the judgment.

Rabanus Maurus: It is right that those who are to be baptized are said to "go out" to the Prophet, for unless one departs from sin and renounces the pomp of the Devil and the temptations of the world, he cannot receive a healing baptism.

This was also right to do in the Jordan, which means "their descent," because they descended from the pride of life to the humility of an honest confession. Thus, an early example was given to those who are to be baptized: to confess their sins and profess their amendment.

1. interlin.