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The Baptism of Jesus

The baptism occurs in all four of the gospels, but we will focus on Matthew. We will ask several questions about baptism in general and about Jesus’ baptism in particular. We will not deal with modern questions. The Baptism of Jesus. Matthew 3:13-17 Mark 1:9-11 Luke 3:21-22

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The Baptism of Jesus

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  1. The baptism occurs in all four of the gospels, but we will focus on Matthew. We will ask several questions about baptism in general and about Jesus’ baptism in particular. We will not deal with modern questions. The Baptism of Jesus

  2. Matthew 3:13-17 Mark 1:9-11 Luke 3:21-22 John 1:29-34 (inferential) Texts

  3. 13 Then Jesus arrived from Galilee at the Jordan coming to John, to be baptized by him. 14  But John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I have need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?”  15 But Jesus answering said to him, “Permit it at this time; for in this way it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he permitted Him. Matthew 3:13-17

  4.  16  After being baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and lighting on Him, 17 and behold, a voice out of the heavens said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased.”

  5. The baptism of Jesus by one inferior to him can cause some degree of difficulty. This leads us to several questions: Why did Jesus need to be baptized? How was Jesus baptized? Why did John do the baptizing? How and why do the texts differ from one another? Overall Problem

  6. It marked the beginning of his public ministry Note that other than the temple incident we know nothing of the boyhood of Jesus This is typical of hero stories: Moses for example It marked him as specially blessed by the Spirit Note that Luke (3:22) says the Spirit descended upon him in bodily form All four Gospels agree that this was “like a dove” not an actual dove Why Did Jesus Need to Be Baptized?

  7. It fulfilled all righteousness (Matt. 3:15) John’s hesitation points up Jesus’ sinlessness To fulfill all righteousness” means to complete everything that forms part of a relationship of obedience to God. In Matthew being righteous means to be faithful to God’s commandments. It demonstrated that he was the divine Son The voice from heaven excerpts Psl. 2:7 and Isa. 42:1 These texts show both suffering Servant as well as divine Son Why Did Jesus Need to Be Baptized?

  8. The question of immersion/sprinkling is not one that these texts mean to answer The word used for baptize can mean to dip, wash, dye, make ritually clean and is used of Spirit and Water How Was Jesus Baptized?

  9. The Jewish practice of baptism, more commonly known as proselyte baptism, was a rite performed upon all converts to Judaism. After a study of Jewish missionary activity, including the issue of proselyte baptism, it seems to me that the Jewish evidence offered is all too late to make a firm conclusion that at the time of Jesus and J-B Jews required Gentile converts to be baptized (tPes 7:13; mEd 5:2; bYeb 46a; SibOr 4:165; Epictetus, Discourses 2:9:19-21). On the other hand, it seems unlikely to me that Jews borrowed the rite from the Christians though this does not seem impossible. Thus, it seems to me that they were co-terminous developments -- when the Christians were beginning and developing their practice, so also were the Jews. How Were Jewish Proselytes Baptized?

  10. Why Does the Baptist Baptize? • This story is part of the second introduction of Matt (1:1-2:23 and 3:1-4:11). The ministry of Jesus is presented as having its public beginning in the ministry of J-B who baptized those who saw the new age arriving. • Since Jesus is the “bringer” of this age, it is fitting that he is baptized

  11. What Does This Text Do? • On one level this forms what most call the preparation of the ministry of Jesus (his baptism and temptation)

  12. What Does This Text Do? • But on another level it anticipates some of the issues that will emerge over and over in Matt: • Messianism (3:2, 3, 11-2, 14-5, 17; 4:1-11) • Controversy (3:7-10, 12, 14; 4:1-11) • Obedience of the Son (4:1-11)

  13. There are at least three different views as to the theological importance of Jesus “fulfilling all righteousness” in Matt. 3:15 Matthew 3:15 15 But Jesus answering said to him, "Permit it at this time; for in this way it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." What is the Theological Import?

  14. Forensic View: Jesus is saying that by his submission to J-B's baptism he is beginning to secure justification for men by anticipating his death. (G. Barth,"Law"; Schlatter, Grundmann, O. Cullmann). • Individual View: the baptism of Jesus by J-B is the last and superlative command of God. Jesus, by undergoing baptism, accomplishes righteousness. E. Lohmeyer • Moral View: the baptism is the will of God for Jesus and baptizing Jesus is the will of God for J-B. Thus, by Jesus being baptized they both accomplish all righteousness. D.A. Carson

  15. Bottom Line • Jesus perfectly obeyed his Father at his baptism and this was the beginning of his public ministry.

  16. Mark’s Report of the Baptism • Mark reports that the voice came down and said • Mark 1:11 11 and a voice came out of the heavens: "You are My beloved Son, in You I am well-pleased." • Mark then reports on the failure of many to realize who he was Mark 3:21 21 When His own people heard of this, they went out to take custody of Him; for they were saying, "He has lost His senses."

  17. The voice of the father shows up again in the center of Mark • Mark 9:2-7 2 Six days later, Jesus took with Him Peter and James and John, and brought them up on a high mountain by themselves. And He was transfigured before them; 3 and His garments became radiant and exceedingly white, as no launderer on earth can whiten them. 4 Elijah appeared to them along with Moses; and they were talking with Jesus. 5 Peter said to Jesus, "Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; let us make three tabernacles, one for You, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah." 6 For he did not know what to answer; for they became terrified. 7 Then a cloud formed, overshadowing them, and a voice came out of the cloud, "This is My beloved Son, listen to Him!"

  18. Notice that again Peter misunderstands who Jesus is and what his mission is. • Note that this scene is preceded by the miracle of the healing of the blind man in two stages. (Mark 8:22-26) • This seems (to me) to be an acted parable indicating that the disciples see who Christ is, but fail to fully understand his work as a crucified suffering servant.

  19. It is only when one gets to the end of the text of Mark that a human voice speaks the words of the father and seems to understand them. • Mark 15:39 39 When the centurion, who was standing right in front of Him, saw the way He breathed His last, he said, "Truly this man was the Son of God!" • This is my own view and should be taken as such (not as Gospel)

  20. NEXT WEEK • The Temptation of Jesus by the Evil One • Mark 1:12-13 • Matthew 4:1-11 • Luke 4:1-13

  21. Helpful Books • More book suggestions, sermon MP3s, as well as handouts from the last two weeks are available on my website: • www.drsamlam.com • Click on the right hand “Sunday School” link for easy access • I usually run about a week to a week and a half behind

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