A Baptism of Judgment in the Fire of the Holy Spirit ― John Eschatological Proclamation in Matthew 3

A fresh analysis of the meaning of the baptism in the Holy Spirit and fire and John's baptism as a prophetic sign-act. Expanding upon the sources, grammar and meaning of the Logion, analysing Old Testament and Second Temple texts, and discussing the prevalent theme of judgment in baptism, McManigal offers the first extended treatment of the baptism in the Holy Spirit in Matthew. Drawing out the unique Matthean meaning of the baptism of the “coming one,” McManigal offers readers a new insight into the nature of repenting and prophetic baptism, whether through water, fire or Spirit.

As a backdrop for the prevalence of judgment in baptism, McManigal locates Matthew's eschatological judgment within the broader Old Testament and apocalyptic literature of the Second Temple, drawing upon texts such as Isaiah 11 and the Isaiah Targum, Malachi 3, David 7, 1 Enoch and 4 Ezra. Such analysis allows for closer understanding of how the themes of the Old Testament are woven throughout Matthew's narrative, capitalizing on John's role as the last of the prophets sent to Israel; in particular his foretelling the coming of Jesus, Jesus' rejection of kingship, and his call for repentance in order to prepare people for the arrival of the kingdom of God. Drawing out the unique Matthean meaning of the baptism of the “coming one,” McManigal's study offers readers a new insight into the nature of repenting and prophetic baptism, whether through water, fire or Spirit.