Matthew 3:13

ยถ Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him.

Then {G5119} cometh {G3854} Jesus {G2424} from {G575} Galilee {G1056} to {G1909} Jordan {G2446} unto {G4314} John {G2491}, to be baptized {G907} of {G5259} him {G846}.

Then Yeshua came from the Galil to the Yarden to be immersed by Yochanan.

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

Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to the Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him.

Commentary

Matthew 3:13 records a pivotal moment in the New Testament narrative, marking the public commencement of Jesus Christ's earthly ministry. This verse describes Jesus' journey from His home region to be baptized by John the Baptist, an event that would powerfully signify His divine mission.

Context

This verse immediately follows the impactful ministry of John the Baptist, who had been preparing the way for the Messiah by preaching repentance and baptizing people in the Jordan River. John's role as the prophetic forerunner, foretold in passages like Malachi 3:1, was to announce the coming of the Lord. Jesus' journey from Galilee, a region often perceived as less religiously significant by those in Judea, underscores His humble approach and deliberate purpose. The Jordan River itself held deep symbolic weight, associated with spiritual cleansing and new beginnings in Israel's history.

Key Themes and Messages

  • The Humility of Christ: Despite being without sin (2 Corinthians 5:21), Jesus chose to submit to John's baptism. This act was not for His own repentance, but a profound demonstration of humility and identification with humanity, setting an example of obedience to God's will.
  • Fulfillment of Righteousness: As Jesus Himself explains in the very next verse (Matthew 3:15), His baptism was necessary "to fulfill all righteousness." This means He was perfectly aligning Himself with God's divine plan and purpose, establishing the standard for perfect obedience to God's redemptive work.
  • Inauguration of Public Ministry: This event marks the official beginning of Jesus' public work and ministry. It is immediately followed by the visible descent of the Holy Spirit and the audible affirmation from God the Father (Matthew 3:16-17), signaling His divine anointing and authorization.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word translated as "baptized" is baptizo (ฮฒฮฑฯ€ฯ„ฮฏฮถฯ‰), which fundamentally means to immerse, dip, or submerge. This term signifies a full immersion, emphasizing a complete identification with the cleansing and spiritual transformation symbolized by John's baptism of repentance.

Practical Application

Matthew 3:13 profoundly illustrates the importance of obedience and submission to God's perfect will, even when the reasons may not be immediately obvious. Jesus' example of humility, identifying with humanity despite His divine nature, serves as a powerful model for believers. For Christians today, baptism is not a means of salvation, but a significant public declaration of faith in Jesus Christ, symbolizing a believer's identification with Christ's death, burial, and resurrection, and their commitment to walk in newness of life.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • John 1:32

    And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him.

  • John 1:34

    And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.

  • Mark 1:9

    ยถ And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan.

  • Mark 1:11

    And there came a voice from heaven, [saying], Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

  • Luke 3:21

    ยถ Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened,

  • Luke 3:22

    And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.

  • Matthew 2:22

    But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judaea in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither: notwithstanding, being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee:
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