The Messiah’s Baptism

Matthew 3:13–17 NIV

13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. 14 But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” 15 Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented. 16 As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”

We will look at this portion of scripture that many read through and simply ask why.

Why was Jesus baptized?

John’s message was one of repentance. John’s baptism was a call to repentance.

Matthew 3:13 NIV

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

As you read Matthew up to this point you see that Matthew leaves Jesus as a child in Galilee. Now Jesus is grown up and comes to Judea to be baptized by John.

Mathew 3:13

Why would Jesus, who never sinned thus never needing to repent, need to be baptized?

As you read Matthew up to this point you see that Matthew leaves Jesus as a child in Galilee. Now Jesus is grown up and comes to Judea to be baptized by John.

Matthew 3:14 NIV

14 But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?”

Because baptism implies that a person has repented, John really hesitates to baptize Jesus.

This is the first recorded face to face encounter between Jesus and John.

Though we see in Luke that they had been together before. When Mary visited Elizabeth the baby leaped in her womb. That baby was John the baptist and He was still in the womb and He was excited to meet Jesus.

John does exactly what I believe I would have done in that same situation.

Matthew 3:15 NIV

15 Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented.

Jesus didn’t come to confess any sin but to “fulfill all righteousness.”

Jesus completely identifies Himself with sinful mankind. tells us that Jesus would be numbered with the sinners.

To “fulfill all righteousness” is to be completely obedient to His Father.

Matthew 3:16 NIV

16 As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him.

When Jesus comes up out of the water, God places His stamp of approval on him.

The Holy Spirit descends and rest on Jesus.

When I was baptised I opened my eyes but got the pastor’s thumb in my eye.

Matthew 3:17 NIV

17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”

When God speaks throughout scripture, it’s not for the benefit of Jesus. It is for our benefit.

God again was giving His stamp of approval but this was for us to know that this is truly the Son of God.