3:13-17 The Baptism of Jesus

Passage: Matthew 3:13-17 (BSB)

13 At that time Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John.

14 But 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.

16 As 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.

17 And a voice from heaven said, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased!"

Context

• Where this fits in the book: (what comes before/after)

Observation

What does the passage actually say? Read it 2-3 times before moving on.

• Key repeated words/phrases:
• Who / what / where / when:
• Connecting words (therefore, but, because, so that...):
• Contrasts or comparisons:
• Commands vs. promises:

Interpretation

What did this mean to the original audience? What is the author's main point?

• Main idea of the passage:
• Cross-references (links to related passages):
• Difficult words/phrases and their meaning:
• How does this point to Christ / fit the whole counsel of Scripture?

Jesus gets baptized to "fulfill all righteousness" and I see this as Him redefining the priestly practices I mentioned before. Instead of making baptism about the adherence to temple law, He now redefined it as a public confession of faith in Him. He did a similar thing with the Passover meal - taking it from being a Jewish ordinance and making it an ordinance for all who believe in Him. In doing so He fulfilled the purpose of the Old Jewish ordinance and expanded it to something new that includes all people who believe in Him. And it was not merely an earthly action, it was an action that was attended by the Holy Spirit and God the father as well as the Son. The whole triune being of God was present at Jesus's baptism.

Application

What does this mean for me, today?

• Is there a sin to confess, a promise to claim, or a command to obey?
• What would change if I believed/lived this today?
• One specific action step:

Prayer

Turn what you learned into a prayer.

Notes / Questions

Anything unresolved to study further or ask someone about.

Resources

Links to online sources of information or bibliography of useful books.