Matthew 3:13-17
Baptized in the Jordan
Read the passage
13At that time Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John.
14But John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?”
15“Let it be so now,” Jesus replied. “It is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness in this way.” Then John permitted Him.
16As soon as Jesus was baptized, He went up out of the water. Suddenly the heavens were opened, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and resting on Him.
17And a voice from heaven said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased!”
Berean Standard Bible
Read aloud
Jesus comes from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. John tries to prevent him, saying that he needs to be baptized by Jesus instead. Jesus answers that it is fitting for them to fulfill all righteousness, and John agrees. Matthew gives us a conversation about humility, obedience, and the surprising way Jesus begins his public ministry.
When Jesus is baptized, the heavens open, the Spirit of God descends like a dove, and a voice from heaven says, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased!” The Father identifies Jesus as His beloved Son as His public ministry begins. This is God’s testimony to Him, not a reputation Jesus must win from the crowd.
Jesus' baptism should not be used to imply that he had personal sin to confess. Matthew has just shown John calling sinners to repentance, but Jesus comes as the righteous one who enters the water to fulfill God's purpose. The scene is about solidarity with God's people and the inauguration of Jesus' mission, not about correcting a moral failure in him.
Father, Son and Spirit are present together in the account. The Son stands in the water, the Spirit descends and rests on Him, and the Father speaks from heaven. God’s saving work is revealed through their distinct actions.
John yields to Jesus’ explanation even though he first tries to prevent the baptism. The One he said was greater has come, and John serves by receiving His direction. Jesus enters His public work with the Spirit resting on Him and the Father declaring His delight.
How We Know
Mark and Luke also record Jesus’ baptism, the Spirit descending like a dove and the Father’s declaration of His beloved Son. Matthew additionally gives John’s objection and Jesus’ answer about fulfilling all righteousness. The accounts present Jesus’ baptism as God’s testimony to His Son, rather than a confession of personal sin by Jesus.
Questions
1 Why does John initially try to prevent Jesus’ baptism?
AnswerJohn says he needs to be baptized by Jesus. He recognizes that Jesus is greater and questions why Jesus has come to him.
2 Why does Jesus say John should baptize Him?
AnswerJesus says it is fitting for them to fulfill all righteousness in this way. John then permits Him to be baptized.
3 What happens as Jesus comes out of the water?
AnswerHeaven opens, the Spirit of God descends like a dove and rests on Jesus, and the heavenly voice identifies Him as the beloved Son.
4 What does the Father’s declaration tell us about Jesus?
AnswerHe is the Father’s beloved Son, in whom the Father is well pleased. We receive God’s testimony about Jesus before following the rest of His ministry.
What This Means for Us
Our confidence begins with who Jesus is: the beloved Son in whom the Father delights. He willingly fulfills the Father’s purpose. We do not approach God by claiming we have served as faithfully as Jesus has.
Romans 8 speaks of the Spirit of adoption, through whom believers cry to God as Father. Thank Him for receiving us through Christ. That gift can free us to obey gratefully, ask for help honestly, and stop treating other people’s approval as the measure of our standing before Him.
Prayer
Father, thank You for Your beloved Son and for the Spirit who teaches us to call You Father. Help us trust Jesus, receive Your grace, and serve You with grateful hearts. Amen.