JESUS’ BAPTISM
Key verse: 17
NIV
The Baptism of Jesus(A)
13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John.(B) 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,(C) and he saw the Spirit of God(D) descending like a dove and alighting on him. 17 And a voice from heaven(E) said, “This is my Son,(F) whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”(G)
Cross references
- Matthew 3:13 : 3:13-17pp — Mk 1:9-11; Lk 3:21, 22; Jn 1:31-34
- Matthew 3:13 : S Mt 3:1; S Mk 1:4
- Matthew 3:16 : Eze 1:1; Jn 1:51; Ac 7:56; 10:11; Rev 4:1; 19:11
- Matthew 3:16 : Isa 11:2; 42:1
- Matthew 3:17 : Dt 4:12; Mt 17:5; Jn 12:28
- Matthew 3:17 : Ps 2:7; Ac 13:33; Heb 1:1-5; 5:5; 2Pe 1:17, 18
- Matthew 3:17 : Isa 42:1; Mt 12:18; 17:5; Mk 1:11; 9:7; Lk 3:22; 9:35; 2Pe 1:17
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway
ESV
The Baptism of Jesus
13 (A)Then Jesus came (B)from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. 14 (C)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, (D)the heavens were opened to him,[a] and he (E)saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; 17 and behold, (F)a voice from heaven said, (G)“This is my beloved Son,[b] with whom I am well pleased.”
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Matthew 3:16 Some manuscripts omit to him
- Matthew 3:17 Or my Son, my (or the) Beloved
Cross references
- Matthew 3:13 : For ver. 13-17, see Mark 1:9-11; Luke 3:21, 22; [John 1:32-34]
- Matthew 3:13 : ch. 2:22
- Matthew 3:14 : [John 13:6]
- Matthew 3:16 : Acts 7:56
- Matthew 3:16 : John 1:32, 33; [Luke 4:18, 21; Acts 10:38]
- Matthew 3:17 : John 12:28
- Matthew 3:17 : ch. 17:5; 2 Pet. 1:17; [Ps. 2:7; Isa. 42:1; Eph. 1:6; Col. 1:13; 1 John 5:9]
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway
John was perplexed when Jesus came to be baptized by him. He knew Jesus was sinless, so he did not need the baptism of repentance. Also, Jesus was the one who would bring the baptism of Holy Spirit and fire and have the authority to forgive sins and judge. Meanwhile, John was a humble servant, a voice calling out to make straight paths for the Lord.
However, Jesus insisted. He came to this world as a lowly human, to take away the sin of the world, and to walk the walk. To show people how to live. He had to receive the baptism of repentance, not for his own sins, but for the sins of all men.
As soon as Jesus was baptized and came out of the water, all who were there witnessed the heavens open. The Holy Spirit descended upon him with a voice, approving Jesus as His beloved Son, who pleased Him with his deeds. This marks the beginning of Jesus’ ministry, with a public acknowledgement of Jesus as the Son of God and the Messiah. A new spiritual era began with the promise of God fulfilled through Jesus, bringing us the forgiveness of sins and eternal salvation. Would you be willing to receive Jesus as your Savior today and participate in his work?
Prayer: Father, thank you for your grace. I have hope only in you. Help me follow in the footsteps of Jesus, serving and pleasing you.
One Word: Jesus, the Son of God
