Matthew 3:13-15
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.
Matthew 3:13-15: Verse-by-Verse Analysis
Verse 13: Jesus, who came from Galilee, went to the Jordan River to be baptized by John. This act of baptism symbolizes Jesus’ willingness to identify with humanity and fulfill God’s plan for salvation.
Verse 14: John, recognizing Jesus’ holiness and authority, initially hesitated to baptize Him, feeling unworthy. He expressed his humility and reverence for Jesus by saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” This shows John’s recognition of Jesus’ superiority and purity.
Verse 15: Jesus responded to John’s hesitation by affirming the importance of the baptism, stating, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Jesus’ baptism was not for His own sin, as He was sinless, but to fulfill God’s plan and demonstrate obedience to God’s will. John then consented, recognizing the significance of the moment and the righteousness of Jesus’ actions.
In these verses, we see the humility and obedience of Jesus, as well as the recognition of His divine authority by John. The baptism of Jesus marks the beginning of His public ministry and serves as a powerful symbol of His mission to bring salvation to all humanity.