Matthew 3:13-17: The Beloved Son

Matthew 3:13–17 ESV

13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. 14 John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” 15 But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented. 16 And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; 17 and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”

Jesus and John Interaction (13-15)

Jesus comes to be Baptized (13)

Matthew 3:13 ESV

13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him.

John’s humble question - unworthy (14)

Matthew 3:14 ESV

14 John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?”

Irony of not allowing religious leaders be baptized because they were unworthy and then refusing Jesus baptism because John is unworthy

Jesus’ response - fulfill all righteous (15)

Matthew 3:15 ESV

15 But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented.

Events of the Baptism (16-17)

Heavens Open and Spirit descends (16a)

Matthew 3:16 (ESV)

16 And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him;

God the Father testifies about his son (17)

Matthew 3:17 ESV

17 and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”

Ephesians 1:5 ESV

5 he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will,

Ephesians 1:11 ESV

11 In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will,

1 John 3:1 ESV

1 See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him.