Mat 3:12 | RWP | e4.org | Will burn up with unquenchable fire ( κατακαυσε πυρ ασβεστω ). Note perfective use of κατα . The threshing floor, the fan, the wheat, the garner, the chaff ( αχυρον , chaff, straw, stubble), the fire furnish a life-like picture. The "fire" here is probably judgment by and at the coming of the Messiah just as in verse . The Messiah "will thoroughly cleanse" ( διακαθαριε , Attic future of -ιζω and note δια- ). He will sweep from side to side to make it clean.

‏ Matthew 3:12

Will burn up with unquenchable fire ( κατακαυσε πυρ ασβεστω ). Note perfective use of κατα. The threshing floor, the fan, the wheat, the garner, the chaff ( αχυρον, chaff, straw, stubble), the fire furnish a life-like picture. The "fire" here is probably judgment by and at the coming of the Messiah just as in verse 11. The Messiah "will thoroughly cleanse" ( διακαθαριε, Attic future of -ιζω and note δια- ). He will sweep from side to side to make it clean.