Overview

Jesus’ baptism in Matthew 3 is not an isolated event but a theologically rich act that anticipates his death and resurrection and establishes the pattern later explained in Romans 6.[1][2][3] In Reformed and Reformed Baptist interpretation, Jesus’ baptism shows his representative obedience, identification with sinners, and public inauguration as the beloved Son anointed by the Spirit.[4][5][6]

Main Thesis

Jesus was baptized to “fulfill all righteousness,” and this baptism prefigures his death and resurrection through a pattern of descent and ascent that Romans 6 later applies to believers united to Christ.[7][8][2][9]

Matthew 3:13–17

1. Jesus comes with purpose

Greek: Τότε παραγίνεται ὁ Ἰησοῦς ... πρὸς τὸν Ἰωάννην τοῦ βαπτισθῆναι ὑπ’ αὐτοῦ.[1]

• παραγίνεται — present middle indicative, 3rd singular, “comes/appears.”[10]
• τοῦ βαπτισθῆναι — aorist passive infinitive of βαπτίζω, expressing purpose: “in order to be baptized.”[7][8]
• Jesus comes deliberately to receive baptism, not by accident or mere example.[1][5]

Teaching note: The passive infinitive highlights Jesus’ willing submission to a divinely appointed act.[7][8]

2. John’s resistance

Greek: ὁ δὲ Ἰωάννης διεκώλυεν αὐτὸν...[1]

• διεκώλυεν — imperfect active indicative, 3rd singular, “kept trying to prevent.”[10]
• John’s ongoing resistance shows that Jesus’ baptism was surprising even to the Baptist because John recognized Jesus’ superiority.[1][11]

Teaching note: John’s objection sharpens the question: why would the sinless Messiah receive a baptism linked to repentance?[12][13]

3. “To fulfill all righteousness”

Greek: Ἄφες ἄρτι· οὕτως γὰρ πρέπον ἐστὶν ἡμῖν πληρῶσαι πᾶσαν δικαιοσύνην.[7][8]

• Ἄφες ἄρτι — “Allow it now.”[7][8]
• πρέπον ἐστίν — “it is fitting/proper.”[7]