Sermons by the Monday Club Matthew 3:13 Then comes Jesus from Galilee to Jordan to John, to be baptized of him. We can only allude to meanings which have been discovered in it; all of them, it may be, parts of its largest import. It "was to ratify the mission of John; it was to purify the water of baptism. Christ .was ceremonially unclean, as representing sinners. St. Bernard sees in the baptism the exhibition of perfect humility; and Meyer, of perfect obedience. Still others look upon the baptism as an inaugural announcement, a formal identification, of His Person as the Messiah — an inauguration of His Messianic ministry. It is important to notice certain respects in which the baptism was unlike that of the people. 1. It was at the close of the day. He waited until all the penitents of that day had been baptized; in this, as in all else involving sin, separate from sinners. 2. John did not treat Christ as a sinner. He gave Him the remarkable testimony, "I have need to be baptized of Thee." 3. At Jesus' baptism there was no confession of sin. In the place of confession was a prayer. 4. The promised token, the descent of the Spirit as a dove, which abode upon Him, while a voice from heaven said, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." (Sermons by the Monday Club.) Parallel Verses KJV: Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him.WEB: Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. |
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