Douay-Rheims Bible: Matthew — Introduction, Chapter Summaries and Notes by Richard Challoner
Chapter 3
SummaryThe preaching of John: Christ is baptized.
[3:2] Do penance. . .Paenitentiam agite. Which word, according to the use of the scriptures and the holy fathers, does not only signify repentance and amendment of life, but also punishing past sins by fasting, and such like penitential exercises.
[3:7] Pharisees and Sadducees. . . These were two sects among the Jews: of which the former were for the most part notorious hypocrites; the latter, a kind of freethinkers in matters of religion.