D. The Messiah Revealed as the Son of God (3:13 17) Matthew 3:13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. Mark is even more specific and says he came from Nazareth. In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. (Mark 1:9, ESV) This is the first adult appearance of Jesus in the New Testament. The following map traces the possible route taken by Jesus to leave Nazareth, go to the site of John s baptisms, and then enter the wilderness of Judea. 1 1 Thomas Nelson Publishers. (1996). Nelson s complete book of Bible maps & charts: Old and New Testaments (Rev. and updated ed.). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson.
Jesus arrived from Galilee at the Jordan, to John, to be baptized by him then was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil (Mt 3:13, 4:1). The setting was most appropriate, full of associations with Moses, Joshua, Elijah and Elisha. Satan tried to derail Jesus messianic role from the start. Jesus was tried but found worthy; Satan withdrew until a more opportune time (Lk 4:13). 2 Matthew 3:14 John would have prevented him, saying, I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me? would have prevented 3 The word means that he tried to hinder Jesus by forceful and energetic action. John did not understand why Jesus was doing this. In terms of John s baptism, he knew that this was most inappropriate. Would have is an imperfect verb tense meaning that he aggressively tried but failed. I you A further contrast is brought out with the use of the emphatic pronouns for I and you. John sets himself over against Jesus and says that any baptism should be the other way around: he should be baptized by Jesus and not Jesus by him. 4 The fact that John so clearly understood this yet Jesus still demanded to be baptized confronts us with a conundrum. Earlier John had difficulty baptizing the Pharisees and Sadducees because they were not worthy of his baptism. Now he has trouble baptizing Jesus because his baptism is not worthy of Jesus. 5 His words perhaps imply, I need your Spirit-and-fire baptism, not you my water-baptism. 6 How should the one who prepares the way with a baptism of repentance baptize the one for whom preparation is made? 7 John recognized that this could not be done. Matthew 3:15 But Jesus answered him, Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness. Then he consented. Let it be so now Jesus answer is given with messianic authority: an imperative verb, permit (it), and an adverb, meaning at once or immediately. 8 it is fitting It is right or proper. But why? 2 Wright, P. H. (2012). Rose Then and Now Bible Map Atlas with Biblical Background and Culture (p. 187). Torrance, CA: Rose Publishing. 3 prevented διακωλύω to cause something not to happen to prevent, to hinder. Louw, J. P., & Nida, E. A. (1996). Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament: based on semantic domains (electronic ed. of the 2nd edition., Vol. 1, p. 164). New York: United Bible Societies. 4 Morris, L. (1992). The Gospel according to Matthew (pp. 63 64). Grand Rapids, MI; Leicester, England: W.B. Eerdmans; Inter-Varsity Press. 5 Carson, D. A. (1984). Matthew. In F. E. Gaebelein (Ed.), The Expositor s Bible Commentary: Matthew, Mark, Luke (Vol. 8, p. 107). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House. 6 France, R. T. (2007). The Gospel of Matthew (p. 119). Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publication Co. 7 Hagner, D. A. (1998). Matthew 1 13 (Vol. 33A, p. 55). Dallas: Word, Incorporated. 8 Donald A. Hagner, Matthew 1 13 (vol. 33A; Word Biblical Commentary; Dallas: Word, Incorporated, 1998), 55.
to fulfill all righteousness What is not so clear is how we should understand the words for us to fulfil all righteousness.. The expression is undoubtedly difficult and has aroused a great deal of discussion. 9 fulfill πληρόω To make full. 10 to make something total or complete to make complete, to complete the number of. 11 In the first two chapters of Matthew, we saw this word used four times (1:22, 2:15, 2:17, and 2:23). What we came to understand in those passages was that the word fulfill does not address predictions that have now come to pass, they address filling up historical incidents from the Old Testament with new meaning and thereby bringing these passages to a fuller understanding. The words increased understanding, filling up, completely filled up, fills up with additional meaning and bring to full significance appear to be close to the meaning of fulfill. To all this we now add the words all righteousness. righteousness δικαιοσύνη 12 The usage of dikaiosynē [righteousness] indicates a basic meaning of the conduct which God expects of his people. 13 It is right behavior. So fulfill all righteousness means to fill up with right behavior all of it. So, what right behavior was not yet fully present? Matthew 3:16 And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; behold, the heavens were opened to him Ezekiel had a similar experience. In the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, on the fifth day of the month, as I was among the exiles by the Chebar canal, the heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God. (Ezekiel 1:1, ESV) we should probably think that for a short time the barrier between this world and heaven was set aside. 14 9 Morris, L. (1992). The Gospel according to Matthew (pp. 64 65). Grand Rapids, MI; Leicester, England: W.B. Eerdmans; Inter-Varsity Press. 10 Zodhiates, S. (2000). The complete word study dictionary: New Testament (electronic ed.). Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers. 11 Louw, J. P., & Nida, E. A. (1996). Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament: based on semantic domains (electronic ed. of the 2nd edition., Vol. 1, p. 597). New York: United Bible Societies. 12 In both the OT and NT, righteousness is the state commanded by God and standing the test of His judgment (2 Cor. 3:9; 6:14; Eph. 4:24). It is conformity to all that He commands. Zodhiates, S. (2000). The complete word study dictionary: New Testament. Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers. 13 France, R. T. (2007). The Gospel of Matthew (p. 119). Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publication Co. 14 Morris, L. (1992). The Gospel according to Matthew (p. 66). Grand Rapids, MI; Leicester, England: W.B. Eerdmans; Inter-Varsity Press.
the Spirit of God descending like a dove The sight of the opened heavens and the visible manifestation of the Spirit would have been an encouragement to Jesus, and this is the way Matthew records it. Whether other people shared in the experience or not was apparently not so important to him, and he leaves us to puzzle about it. 15 The Spirit of God descending like a dove simile could mean either that the manner of the Spirit s descent was like a dove s or that the Spirit appeared in a dove s form. 16 The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; (Isaiah 61:1, ESV) Isaiah says the LORD has anointed me. When did that happen? But now as the Spirit comes upon him Jesus is visibly equipped and commissioned to undertake his messianic mission. 17 Matthew 3:17 and behold, a voice from heaven said, This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased. a voice from heaven This voice is God s ( from heaven ) and testifies that God himself has broken silence and is again revealing himself to men a clear sign of the dawning of the Messianic Age. 18 The voice will speak again in Matthew 17:5 and John 12:28. This is my beloved Son I will tell of the decree: The LORD said to me, You are my Son; today I have begotten you. (Psalm 2:7, ESV) Behold my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my Spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations. (Isaiah 42:1, ESV) Jesus dual role: one day a kingly messiah, but for now a Suffering Servant both appropriate to his unique identity as the divine son. 19 beloved ἀγαπητός pertaining to one who is the only one of his or her class, but at the same time is particularly loved and cherished. 20 15 Morris, L. (1992). The Gospel according to Matthew (p. 66). Grand Rapids, MI; Leicester, England: W.B. Eerdmans; Inter-Varsity Press. 16 Carson, D. A. (1984). Matthew. In F. E. Gaebelein (Ed.), The Expositor s Bible Commentary: Matthew, Mark, Luke (Vol. 8, p. 108). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House. 17 France, R. T. (2007). The Gospel of Matthew (p. 121). Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publication Co. 18 Carson, D. A. (1984). Matthew. In F. E. Gaebelein (Ed.), The Expositor s Bible Commentary: Matthew, Mark, Luke (Vol. 8, p. 109). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House. 19 Beale, G. K., & Carson, D. A. (2007). Commentary on the New Testament use of the Old Testament (14). Grand Rapids, MI; Nottingham, UK: Baker Academic; Apollos.
ἀγαπητός [beloved] should probably be allowed the connotation only, which it periodically has in the LXX. 21 ἀγαπητός [beloved] is the rendering of yĕḥîd ( only ) in, e.g., Gn. 22:2, 12; Jdg. 11:34; Je. 6:26. 22 Behold, my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved with whom my soul is well pleased. I will put my Spirit upon him, and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles. (Matthew 12:18, ESV) He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him. (Matthew 17:5, ESV) Understood as only or only beloved, the word identifies Jesus as co-equal with the Father. Why was Jesus baptized? This scene brings us to the question as to why Jesus was baptized. There are several possibilities. First, Jesus could be presenting himself for baptism because he too needs to repent of sin and experience a ritual purification as a demonstration of his commitment to a new and holy life. But this is foreign to the New Testament. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (2 Corinthians 5:21, ESV) He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. (1 Peter 2:22, ESV) For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. (Hebrews 4:15, ESV) Two, Jesus wants to be a disciple of John and this baptism was a necessary step in achieving this goal. John s deference to Jesus suggest otherwise. Third, through baptism Jesus is identifying himself with a fallen human race and he thereby shows his solidarity with his people in their need. 23 In one form or another, this is probably the most common explanation as to why Jesus was baptized. However, this was already done when Jesus took upon himself a human body. Baptism does not seem to add much to this. 20 Louw, J. P., & Nida, E. A. (1996). Vol. 1: Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament: Based on semantic domains (electronic ed. of the 2nd edition.) (590). New York: United Bible Societies. 21 Nolland, J. (2005). The Gospel of Matthew: A commentary on the Greek text. New International Greek Testament Commentary (158). Grand Rapids, MI; Carlisle: W.B. Eerdmans; Paternoster Press. 22 Nolland, J. (2005). The Gospel of Matthew: A commentary on the Greek text. New International Greek Testament Commentary. Grand Rapids, MI; Carlisle: W.B. Eerdmans; Paternoster Press. 23 Hagner, D. A. (1998). Matthew 1 13 (Vol. 33A, p. 57). Dallas: Word, Incorporated.
Fourth, The most immediate answer is found in verse 3:15. But Jesus answered him, Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness. Then he consented. (Matthew 3:15, ESV) But what does this mean? From our earlier study in verse 15 we saw that to fulfill all righteousness means to fill up with right behavior all of it. So, what right behavior was not yet fully present in Jesus life but needed to be? Fifth, in some sense our answer has to be in conformity with fulfill all righteousness as this is the answer given by Jesus to John. Calvin says this: When Christ was preparing to preach the Gospel, he was introduced by Baptism into his office. 24 Which office? Calvin does not say but he is hot on the trail to a sound answer. Another writer is more specific, Jesus baptism should be understood as His anointing to the threefold office of Prophet, Priest, and King. 25 Let us consider this answer. As prophet, Jesus spoke for the Father. As priest, he offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice. As king, he reigns over His creation and kingdom. anointed χρίω to assign a person to a task, with the implication of supernatural sanctions, blessing, and endowment to anoint, to assign, to appoint, assignment, appointment. 26 Jesus addressed Isaiah 61:1 in Luke: The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me. (Isaiah 61:1, ESV) The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, (Luke 4:18, ESV) This anointing took place at Jesus baptism but, what was the point of his anointing? Christ was baptized at this very point in His life because he was now entering into the office of high Priest, the primary reason He came to this earth. To enter this office, He had to be properly anointed for that position. In addition to Isaiah and Luke, the book of Acts (10:37-38) uses the word anointed to explain Jesus baptism. And keep in mind that the very word Christ means the anointed one. you yourselves know what happened throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism that John proclaimed: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and 24 Calvin, J., & Pringle, W. (2010). Commentary on a Harmony of the Evangelists Matthew, Mark, and Luke (Vol. 1, p. 204). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software. 25 Carpenter, E. E., & Comfort, P. W. (2000). In Holman treasury of key Bible words: 200 Greek and 200 Hebrew words defined and explained (p. 249). Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers. 26 Louw, J. P., & Nida, E. A. (1996). Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament: based on semantic domains (electronic ed. of the 2nd edition., Vol. 1, p. 483). New York: United Bible Societies.
healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. (Acts 10:37 38, ESV) Notice the relationship in Acts 10 between baptism and anointed. for truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, (Acts 4:27, ESV) You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions. (Hebrews 1:9, ESV) Acts 10:38-39 clearly says that Jesus was anointed and this is associated with Jesus baptism which was done with water depicting the coming of the Holy Spirit. So, Jesus was anointed. Why? Because he was entering into one or all of the offices of prophet, priest or king, otherwise there was no purpose in anointing him. Of course he was indeed the high Priest: Jesus, the Apostle and high Priest of our confession. Hebrews 3:1 we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God. Hebrews 4:14 Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things to come. Hebrews 9:11 But, a priest had to be consecrated and anointed to that office; he did not simply take it upon himself to be a priest. As such, three things were required for the anointing of a priest. A. He had to be thirty years old or older Count all the men from thirty to fifty years of age who come to serve in the work in the Tent of Meeting. from thirty years and upward even to fifty years old, you shall number them, everyone who enters the service to do the work of the tent of meeting. Numbers 4:3, 23 And when He began His ministry, Jesus Himself was about thirty years of age, Luke 3:23 B. He had to be called of God, as was Aaron Then bring near to yourself Aaron your brother, and his sons with him, from among the sons of Israel, to minister as priest to Me. Exodus 28:1 And no one takes the honor to himself, but receives it when he is called by God, even as Aaron was. So also Christ did not glorify Himself so as to become a high priest, Hebrews 5:4 5 C. He had to be sprinkled
Again the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, Take the Levites from among the sons of Israel and cleanse them. And thus you shall do to them, for their cleansing: sprinkle purifying water on them, Numbers 8:5 7 So Moses took some of the anointing oil and some of the blood which was on the altar, and sprinkled it on Aaron, on his garments, on his sons, and on the garments of his sons with him; and he consecrated Aaron, his garments, and his sons, and the garments of his sons with him. Leviticus 8:30 So, again, why was Jesus baptized? Christ s baptism was His priestly inauguration. John, himself an Aaronic priest, might naturally administer it. His age confirms it. A purification and anointing was a part of the original consecration of the Aaronic family. And in addition, Christ was anointed, at the same time, to His special office as prophet. THE Spirit of the LORD GOD is upon me, Because the LORD has anointed me To bring good news to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to captives, And freedom to prisoners; Isaiah 61:1 To anoint is to pour or sprinkle. Christ was consecrated by water and anointed by the Holy Spirit. The picture of Holy Spirit baptism is water baptism by pouring or sprinkling. There is no anointing by immersion in the Bible. I don t think Christ s baptism, and anointing by the Holy Spirit, can be fully understood if aside from his entry into his offices of prophet, priest and king. He certainly wasn t repenting of sin, as John s other candidates for baptism were. In being consecrated with water and anointed by the Holy Spirit to the office of priest, he fulfilled the requirements of the law for admission to that office. Notice that Christ was priest after the order of Melchizedek, which means King of Righteousness (Hebrews 7:1 2). In being anointed as priest after the order of King of Righteousness, Jesus fulfilled all righteousness. 27 In the context of the religion, culture and history of Jesus life, the purpose of his baptism may not have been as confusing to his contemporaries as it is to us. To be 30 years old, to be called by God, to be anointed all were common knowledge to that generation as to what were necessary elements to enter into an elevated office. Later, when this culture and priesthood passed from the scene, these points would not have been so self-evident. Earlier I asked the question, what right behavior was not yet fully present but needed to be in Jesus life and ministry; a behavior that his baptism brought to completion and resolved? The answer is found in his anointing to the office of high priest. There is a right process by which one proceeds in order to enter into that office. One does not simply start doing priestly functions at the temple without first demonstrating the 27 Bass, R. E. (1999). What About Baptism (p. 13). Greenville, SC: Living Hope Press.
necessary qualifications to do so. In his baptism Jesus fulfilled the last qualification for the office. In doing this, Jesus fulfilled all righteousness.