Matthew 3:12

Whose fan [is] in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.

Whose {G3739} fan {G4425} is in {G1722} his {G846} hand {G5495}, and {G2532} he will throughly purge {G1245} his {G846} floor {G257}, and {G2532} gather {G4863} his {G846} wheat {G4621} into {G1519} the garner {G596}; but {G1161} he will burn up {G2618} the chaff {G892} with unquenchable {G762} fire {G4442}.

He has with him his winnowing fork; and he will clear out his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn but burning up the straw with unquenchable fire!"

His winnowing fork is in His hand to clear His threshing floor and to gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”

whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly cleanse his threshing-floor; and he will gather his wheat into the garner, but the chaff he will burn up with unquenchable fire.

Commentary

Commentary on Matthew 3:12 (KJV)

This verse is part of John the Baptist's preaching to the crowds who came out to be baptized by him in the Jordan River. He is speaking about the one who is coming after him, referring to Jesus Christ.

Historical and Cultural Context

The imagery used here is deeply rooted in the agricultural practices of ancient Israel. A "threshing floor" was a hard, flat area, often on a hilltop to catch the wind. After grain was threshed (to separate the kernels from the stalks), the mixture of grain and "chaff" (the light husks and debris) was brought to the floor. The farmer would use a "fan," which was a winnowing fork or shovel, to toss the mixture into the air. The heavier grain would fall back onto the floor, while the lighter chaff would be blown away by the wind. This process was called "winnowing" and was essential for preparing the grain for storage.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Judgment and Separation: The central theme is the coming judgment administered by the Messiah. Just as the farmer separates the valuable grain from the worthless chaff, Christ will separate the righteous from the wicked.
  • Salvation and Destruction: The "wheat" gathered into the "garner" represents those who are saved and brought into God's kingdom or eternal safety. The "chaff" burned with "unquenchable fire" represents those who face eternal destruction or punishment.
  • The Authority of Christ: John highlights the power and authority of the coming Messiah ("whose fan is in his hand") to execute this definitive separation and judgment.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word translated "fan" is ptyon (πτύον), which specifically refers to the winnowing shovel or fork used to toss the grain and chaff into the air.

Cross-references

A parallel passage can be found in Luke 3:17, which uses the same imagery.

Practical Application

This verse serves as a stark reminder of the reality of future judgment. It challenges listeners to consider which group they will be found in – the wheat or the chaff. It underscores the importance of aligning oneself with Christ, who is the one who carries out this ultimate separation.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated β€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Malachi 4:1 (20 votes)

    ΒΆ For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.

  • Matthew 13:30 (15 votes)

    Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.

  • Luke 3:17 (12 votes)

    Whose fan [is] in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and will gather the wheat into his garner; but the chaff he will burn with fire unquenchable.

  • Isaiah 41:16 (10 votes)

    Thou shalt fan them, and the wind shall carry them away, and the whirlwind shall scatter them: and thou shalt rejoice in the LORD, [and] shalt glory in the Holy One of Israel.

  • Jeremiah 51:2 (10 votes)

    And will send unto Babylon fanners, that shall fan her, and shall empty her land: for in the day of trouble they shall be against her round about.

  • Matthew 13:41 (9 votes)

    The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity;

  • Psalms 1:4 (9 votes)

    ΒΆ The ungodly [are] not so: but [are] like the chaff which the wind driveth away.