Once and Future Methodist
DannyG's New Testament Paraphrase
The Gospel according to Matthew
The best way to learn a subject is to teach it. I’ve done some exercises in the past with writing paraphrases of the verses which I was studying, and I liked it. The way I do it is to think about it as if I was trying to put it in simple terms for somebody who has some problems with the language. It makes me think about the actual meanings, rather than getting tied up in language. I’ll share my efforts as I go along.
3. John the
Baptist- the 50,000 watt Voice of the Wilderness was preaching in the rural
areas of
But John was taken aback when the religious leaders started showing up. “You snakes in the grass…” he said, “…Why are you seeking forgiveness now? You’d better not be doing this for appearance’s sake-take this chance to get it right! If you don’t, God is ready to slash and burn the fruitless.”
“I baptize with water, but the one I’m working for will baptize with Holy
Spirit and Fire! He will clear the
deck- don’t be part of the waste which will burn!” When Jesus came up to be baptized John
refused, saying that it should be the other way around. But Jesus insisted, saying that it was
the right thing to do. Upon Jesus’
baptism, the heavens opened and the Spirit lighted on Jesus like a bird- saying
“Good job, Son”.
The Spirit directed Jesus into the wilderness for a time of fasting and reflection. At the end of this, when Jesus was weak and hungry, the Devil challenged him to feed himself, if He was really the Son of God. Jesus responded: “It’s not food, but God’s words which nourish man!”
The Devil then brought Jesus to
Finally, the Devil took Jesus to a high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world, promising them to Jesus if he would worship the Devil. Jesus said: “Get outa here, Satan, they’re all mine anyway. Besides, the Lord is the only one worthy of worship!”
The Devil gave up, for now, and left while the angels ministered to Jesus.
After John was picked up by the Authorities Jesus set up shop in
Jesus went on the road, teaching in the Synagogue Circuit. He taught the good news of God’s Kingdom and, in so doing, made quite a name for himself. Soon enough he had built a large following.
