When new believers receive baptism, it is a public declaration of their faith in Jesus’ death and resurrection. However, when we read about Jesus’ baptism, we may wonder about the purpose of His baptism or how this event is significant in His life.
Most of us can readily agree with John the Baptist’s reaction when Jesus went to him to receive baptism. As John the Baptist said, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” (Matthew 3:14). To understand the importance of this event, we need to start with the gospels, where each record Jesus’ baptism.
The Event of Jesus’ Baptism
Matthew, Mark, and Luke all include the event of Jesus’ baptism. Each of these gospel accounts records John the Baptist’s ministry in baptizing people. Numerous people traveled to the Jordan River to receive baptism, as Luke details in his gospel (Luke 3:7).
When Jesus received John’s baptism, the Holy Spirit descended on Him in the form of a dove, and the Father’s voice was heard (Matthew 3:13-17; Mark 1:9-11; Luke 3:21-22).
At the moment of baptism, the Father announced: “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17). This was a significant moment in Jesus’ earthly life, for the event held meaning in multiple areas.
Obeying the Father and Confirming John’s Role
In Matthew’s gospel, he records John the Baptist’s statement about needing to be baptized by Jesus. Although we can identify with John the Baptist’s statement and question, Jesus provides an answer.
He said, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness” (Matthew 3:15). Thus, based on Matthew’s gospel, Jesus willingly submitted to baptism for a purpose.
Luke reminds us that John the Baptist was “preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins” (Luke 3:3). Jesus had no sin and was incapable of sinning as the perfect Son of God (2 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 4:15).
His baptism was not about receiving forgiveness from sins or as a sign of repentance. Instead, Jesus willingly submitted to the baptism of John the Baptism because it was the Father’s will for Him to do so.
By submitting to baptism, Jesus also confirmed John the Baptist’s role as the one who prepared the way for the Lord (Isaiah 40:3; John 1:23). John had already stated that he was not the Messiah, but that another was coming who would baptize with the Holy Spirit (Mark 1:8).
The person whom John waited for was Jesus, the promised Messiah. He is the one whose sandals John was unworthy to untie (Mark 1:7). Therefore, when Jesus received baptism, He supported the unique role of John the Baptist.
Testifying Jesus’ Identity as the Son of God
In John’s gospel, he does not specifically include the event of Jesus’ baptism. Instead, he records the testimony of John the Baptist: “I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. And I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ I have seen and I testify that this is God’s Chosen One” (John 1:32-34).
Aware of his special role, John the Baptist acknowledged that he was there to reveal Jesus to Israel as the “Chosen One” (John 1:31).
Depending on the specific translation, many versions of the Bible render the last words of John 1:34 as “Son of God” (ESV). Based on this rendering, we understand that John the Baptist testified to the truth that Jesus is the Son of God, the Chosen One.
Furthermore, John the Baptist’s words reveal that Jesus’ baptism fulfilled the Old Testament prophecy. Isaiah 42:1 says, “Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will bring justice to the nations.”
Jesus is this “Chosen One of God,” as we saw from John the Baptist’s testimony (John 1:34, NLT). The Holy Spirit was present at the baptism: “I will put my Spirit on Him.” Also, the Father’s declaration about His pleasure with Jesus, the Son, matches the declaration: “in whom I delight.”
In thinking about John the Baptist’s testimony about Jesus as the Chosen One, Son of God, and Messiah, we need to remember that baptism did not give these identities to Him. The belief that Jesus became the Son of God at His baptism is heretical teaching known as Adoptionism.
Jesus was already the Son of God and the Christ (Matthew 1:21-23; Luke 1:31-33). The Gospel of John stands out because he explicitly mentions that Jesus is God, always existing from eternity (John 1:1).
Thus, believers should not confuse the significant event of Jesus’ baptism with the idea that He “became” divine with baptism.
The Beginning of His Public Ministry
In addition to fulfilling the will of the Father and revealing His identity as the Son of God, Jesus’ baptism also serves as the start of His public ministry. Luke immediately mentions the start of Jesus’ earthly ministry, which began when Jesus was about 30 years old (Luke 3:23).
After being tempted in the desert for 40 days, He began to preach about the kingdom (Matthew 4:1-2,17).
When the 11 disciples were searching for Judas’ replacement, the prerequisite was that the person had to “have been with us the whole time the Lord Jesus was living among us” (Acts 1:21).
So, the new apostle had to be present from the time of Jesus’ baptism to His ascension (Acts 1:22). Hence, this was the timeframe of Christ’s ministry on earth before He returned to heaven.
An Affirmation of the Trinity
The baptism of Jesus is also significant because it shows and affirms the Trinity. Each member of the Godhead was present at the baptism. The Father declared His pleasure with His Son (Matthew 3:17).
Obviously, God the Son was present since He submitted to John’s baptism (Mark 1:9). Finally, the third member of the Trinity was also present when the Holy Spirit descended on Jesus in the form of a dove (Luke 3:22).
This event is significant because it affirms the doctrine of the Trinity, which teaches that the Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit are three persons, but one God.
Reading about this event in the Bible allows believers to think about the glorious reality of God revealing Himself when “heaven was opened” (Luke 3:21). The doctrine of the Trinity is not man-made teaching but a biblical truth, as shown in the event of Jesus’ baptism.
Connection to Humanity
The baptism we receive as believers are different from Jesus’ baptism. He never sinned and did not have to submit to John’s baptism of repentance.
However, submitting to baptism showed His empathy toward humankind. He identified Himself with us, sinners unworthy of His love and salvation, although He never sinned (2 Corinthians 5:21).
By being baptized, He exercised His full humanity. As God the Son, He did not need baptism, but as the perfect God-man who came to die for the sins of the world, He needed to identify Himself with those He came to save.
As Hebrews 2:14-16 says, “Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death —that is, the devil — and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham’s descendants.”
When Jesus came into the world, He chose to relate to us. His incarnation enabled Him to enter humanity and empathize with our experiences, including our suffering and temptation (Hebrews 4:15). As part of His purpose to empathize with us, He submitted to baptism.
Why Does This Matter?
Although people may experience confusion about the need for Jesus’ baptism, this event is a significant part of His life on earth.
When He requested for John the Baptist to baptize Him, Jesus followed the will of the Father, confirmed John’s role, revealed Himself as the Son of God, started His public ministry, and related to humankind.
Furthermore, Jesus’ baptism also affirms the doctrine of the Trinity because of the presence of all three members of the Godhead at the event. In studying Jesus’ baptism, we not only learn more about the event that took place but also more about our Savior’s purpose and heart.
For further reading:
What Does Jesus’ Baptism Tell Us about Our Baptism?
What Is the Purpose of Baptism in the Christian Life?
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