New Testament
Matthew 3:12
Read the Bible in clear, modern English—easy to understand, faithful to the meaning, and written for everyday readers.
He holds a winnowing fork in his hand, and he will thoroughly clean his threshing floor. He'll gather the wheat into his barn, but the chaff he'll burn with fire that never goes out."
Compare translations
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.
What Matthew 3:12 means
Plain-English insight for readers
In this verse, John the Baptist uses the imagery of a farmer separating wheat from chaff to illustrate the coming judgment by Jesus. The winnowing fork is a tool used to toss grain into the air so that the wind can blow away the lighter chaff, leaving the heavier wheat to fall back down. This symbolizes how Jesus will separate the righteous from the unrighteous. The wheat represents those who follow God and will be gathered into His kingdom, while the chaff symbolizes those who reject Him and will face eternal punishment. The mention of 'fire that never goes out' emphasizes the seriousness of this judgment and the permanence of the consequences for those who do not repent. This imagery serves as a warning and a call to prepare for the coming of the Lord, highlighting the importance of making choices that align with God's will.
How to apply Matthew 3:12 to your life
This verse encourages us to examine our lives and ensure we are living in alignment with God's teachings. It reminds us of the importance of repentance and faith in Jesus, as our choices have eternal consequences. We should strive to be like the wheat, fruitful and gathered into God's kingdom.
Curated for this public verse page. Matthew Summary
Learn the Bible through its people and places
Get to know the people in Scripture through illustrated stories, and explore the places where they lived and traveled.
Illustrated scene from Jesus's story: John the Baptist Prepares the Way (Matthew 3:1–12)
Meet the people of the Bible
Follow their lives in order, with illustrated scenes and Bible passages that tell their stories.
Jesus
Photo: Gary Todd (Gary Lee Todd, Ph.D.), via Wikimedia Commons. License: CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication. Source. Location: Southern end of the Temple Mount, Jerusalem Old City. Resized for the web.
Explore the places of the Bible
See where biblical events happened, why each place matters, and what archaeology helps us understand.
Jerusalem
David's capital, the city of the temple, and the place where Jesus died and rose again.
Get full access with one subscription
Explore the people and places of the Bible. Read summaries of every book, with images and clear explanations covering every chapter. Access all these features and our Bible study tools with one subscription.
See PlansAsk AI about Matthew 3:12
Ask a question about this verse and get a clear answer, with Bible references you can read for yourself.
Every Bible book, explained chapter by chapter
Explore summaries of every book of the Bible, with images and easy-to-understand explanations covering every chapter.
Keep studying Matthew 3:12
Related Bible verses
Key themes
Related topics
At a Glance — the Book of Matthew
- Author
- Matthew the apostle
- Written
- Around AD 60-70
- Genre
- Gospel
- Original Audience
- Jewish Christians
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers about this verse
What does Matthew 3:12 mean?
Matthew 3:12 uses the imagery of a farmer separating wheat from chaff to illustrate Jesus' coming judgment. It signifies how He will distinguish between the righteous, who will be gathered into His kingdom, and the unrighteous, who will face eternal punishment.
What is the meaning of 'winnowing fork' in Matthew 3:12?
The 'winnowing fork' in Matthew 3:12 is a tool used to toss grain into the air, allowing the wind to blow away the lighter chaff. This symbolizes the process of separating the righteous from the unrighteous during judgment.
What does the 'unquenchable fire' refer to in Matthew 3:12?
The 'unquenchable fire' mentioned in Matthew 3:12 refers to the eternal punishment that awaits those who reject God. It emphasizes the seriousness and permanence of the consequences for not repenting.
How can I apply Matthew 3:12 to my life?
You can apply Matthew 3:12 by examining your life to ensure you are living according to God's teachings. It serves as a reminder of the importance of repentance and making choices that align with God's will.
Daily Verse — straight to your inbox
A verse and a 2-sentence plain-English explanation, every morning. Free. Unsubscribe anytime.