Matthew 3:15 and Jesus' Baptismal Obedience Explained
In Matthew 3:15, during his baptism by John, Jesus states, "Suffer it to be so now: because so it is right for us to make righteousness complete" (BBE) [1]. This statement comes in response to John the Baptist's reluctance to baptize Jesus, as John felt he was unworthy to do so, saying, "I have need to be baptized of Thee, and comest Thou to me?" [8].
The immediate context of this verse is Jesus' arrival at the Jordan River to be baptized by John, following John's ministry of baptizing people for repentance [7]. John's baptism was a "baptism of repentance" [4], and he initially did not understand why Jesus, who was without sin, would need such a baptism [4]. The evangelist Luke notes that Jesus was baptized "when all the people were baptized," suggesting he joined the common people [5].
Jesus' response, "Suffer it to be so now," indicates a divine necessity for this act [6]. The phrase "to make righteousness complete" or "to fulfil all righteousness" (as rendered in other translations) is central to understanding Jesus' purpose in being baptized [8]. This "righteousness" refers to God's will and divine plan [8]. For Jesus, submitting to baptism was an act of obedience to God's will, signifying his formal inauguration into his public ministry as the Messiah [4]. It was a public recognition of his office, as John was seen as a representative of the law and prophets [4].
Theological interpretations of Jesus' baptismal obedience vary. Some traditions view it as Jesus sanctioning the ordinance of baptism, which would later become a Christian sacrament [2, 3]. For instance, Thomas Aquinas suggests that Christ's baptism serves as an exemplar for Christian baptism, manifesting what is accomplished in the believer's baptism [9]. The event is also seen as a moment where the Trinity is revealed, with the Father's voice and the Holy Spirit's descent [9].
John Gill, a Baptist commentator, emphasizes Jesus' immediate compliance with God's will, noting that Jesus' statement implies a proper season for this act, even though he would later baptize with the Holy Spirit [6]. The act of baptism itself, while debated in its mode (e.g., immersion), is understood as an outward sign [3]. For Jesus, it was not a baptism of repentance for sin, but rather an act of perfect obedience and identification with humanity, fulfilling all that God required [4].
Sources
- Matthew “Matthew 3:15 (BBE) — But Jesus made answer, saying to him, Let it be so now: because so it is right for us to make righteousness complete. Then he gave him baptism.”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Baptism — As administered by John -- Mt 3:5-12; Joh 3:23; Ac 13:24; 19:4. Sanctioned by Christ's submission to it -- Mt 3:13-15; Lu 3:21. Adopted by Christ -- Joh 3:22; 4:1,2. Appointed an ordinance of the Christian church -- Mt 28:19,20; Mr 16:15,16. To be administered in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit -- Mt 28:19. Water, the outward and visible sign in -- Ac 8:36; 10:47. Regeneration, the inward and spiritual grace of -- Joh 3:3,5,6; Ro 6:3,4,11. Remission of sins, signified by -- Ac 2:38; 22:16. Unity of the Church effected by -- 1Co 12:13; Ga 3:27,2”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Baptism, Christian — An ordinance immediately instituted by Christ (Matt. 28:19, 20), and designed to be observed in the church, like that of the Supper, "till he come." The words "baptize" and "baptism" are simply Greek words transferred into English. This was necessarily done by the translators of the Scriptures, for no literal translation could properly express all that is implied in them. The mode of baptism can in no way be determined from the Greek word rendered "baptize." Baptists say that it means "to dip," and nothing else. That is an incorrect view of the m”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Baptism of Christ — Christ had to be formally inaugurated into the public discharge of his offices. For this purpose he came to John, who was the representative of the law and the prophets, that by him he might be introduced into his offices, and thus be publicly recognized as the Messiah of whose coming the prophecies and types had for many ages borne witness. John refused at first to confer his baptism on Christ, for he understood not what he had to do with the "baptism of repentance." But Christ said, "Suffer it to be so now,' NOW as suited to my state of humiliat”
- Luke (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Luke 3:21: The evangelist mentioned John's imprisonment before Christ's being baptized, though it was nearly a year after it, because he would finish the story of John's ministry, and then introduce that of Christ. Now here we have, I. A short account of Christ's baptism, which had been more fully related by St. Matthew. Jesus came, to be baptized of John, and he was so, Luk 3:21, Luk 3:22. 1. It is here said that, when all the people were baptized, then Jesus was baptized: all that were then present. Christ would be baptized last, among the common people, and in the rear of t”
- Matthew (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Matthew 3:15: And Jesus answering, said unto him,.... This is an Hebrew way of speaking, often used in the Old Testament, and answers to see Job 3:1. He replied to John, who had made use of very forbidding words, after this manner, suffer it to be so now; let me have my request; do not go on to object, but comply with my desire; let it be done now, immediately, directly, at this present time; do not put me off with any excuse; it is a proper season for it, even "now", since the time is not yet come that I am to baptize with the Holy Ghost; and besides, thus it becometh us to ful”
- Matthew (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Matthew 3:13: BAPTISM OF CHRIST AND DESCENT OF THE SPIRIT UPON HIM IMMEDIATELY THEREAFTER. ( = Mar 1:9-11; Luk 3:21-22; Joh 1:31-34). (Mat 3:13-17) Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him--Moses rashly anticipated the divine call to deliver his people, and for this was fain to flee the house of bondage, and wait in obscurity for forty years more (Exo 2:11, &c.). Not so this greater than Moses. All but thirty years had He now spent in privacy at Nazareth, gradually ripening for His public work, and calmly awaiting the time appointe”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 6: Augustine — Homilies on the Gospels — CHAP. XIII.--OF THE BAPTISM OF JESUS.: 30. Matthew then continues his narrative in the following terms: "Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. But John forbade Him, saying, I have need to be baptized of Thee, and comest Thou to me? And Jesus answering, said unto him, Suffer it to be so now; for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered Him."(1) The others also attest the fact that Jesus came to John. The three also mention that He was baptized. But they omit all mention of one circum”
- theology (Catholic (Scholastic)) “Aquinas, Summa Theologica, Third Part (Tertia Pars), Of the Baptizing of Christ, Art. 8: Article: Whether it was becoming, when Christ was baptized that the Father's voice should be heard, bearing witness to the Son? I answer that, As stated above (Article [5]), that which is accomplished in our baptism should be manifested in Christ's baptism, which was the exemplar of ours. Now the baptism which the faithful receive is hallowed by the invocation and the power of the Trinity; according to Mt. 28:19: "Go ye and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of”