The overruling reply. This overruling reply of Jesus to John the Baptist, who very naturally hesitated to administer baptism to him, teaches us a lesson of— I. THE MODESTY OF THOSE WHO ARE TRUE MASTERS — MASTERS BY UTTEREST RIGHT ; MASTERS BORN . II. THE NOBLENESS OF THAT OBEDIENCE TO DUTY WHICH LEADS A MAN , WHOEVER HE MAY BE , WHATEVER HIS PLACE MAY BE , TO SERVE , WITH SOVEREIGN SURRENDER OF SELF , ... read more
The claims of righteousness. "For thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness." The term "righteousness" here plainly means the lawful claims of the authority to which, at a given time, we are subject. It may be the Mosaic Law. It may be the Christian law. But the point of our Lord's answer is really this: "The Messianic lair is not yet come in; it is not yet established; I am still under the Mosaic Law; that requires my obedience to the Jehovah-prophets who may be raised up; I have no... read more
Thus it becometh us - It is suitable and proper. And though you may feel yourself unworthy, yet it is proper it should be done.All righteousness - There was no particular precept in the Old Testament requiring this, but he chose to give the sanction of his example to the baptism of John, as to a divine ordinance. The phrase “all righteousness,” here, is the same as a righteous institution or appointment. Jesus had no sin. But he was about to enter on his great work. It was proper that he should... read more
Matthew 3:15. Suffer it to be so now In this my state of humiliation: For thus By this appearance in the form of a sinner, and stooping to thee, my inferior; it becomes us Me, and my disciples according to my example, to fulfil all righteousness To do whatsoever is just, fit, and requisite in our circumstances. Or, it becometh every messenger of God, and even every follower of mine, to observe every divine appointment, and to honour every divine ordinance. I therefore offer myself to... read more
16. Baptism of Jesus (Matthew 3:13-17; Mark 1:9-11; Luke 3:21-22; John 1:29-34)In due course John publicly introduced Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of God, for whom he had prepared the way. John’s introduction contained none of the popular Jewish ideas of a political or military leader who would bring in a golden age for Israel. Instead it suggested that the Messiah would die, like a lamb offered in sacrifice for the cleansing of sin (John 1:29-30). John then pointed out that he himself was not... read more
it to be so: or, supply the Ellipsis by "[Me]". The Lord was now, and here, recognized by John (John 1:31-34 ). thus. In fulfilling this duty. it becometh us. This duty was incumbent on John as the minister of that Dispensation; likewise on the Lord: hence the word "thus". The reason is given in John 1:31 . all righteousness: or every claim of righteous duty. This was the anointing of Messiah (see note on Matthew 3:17 ), and anointing was accompanied by washing or immersion (Exodus 29:4-7 ;... read more
But Jesus, answering, said unto him, Suffer it now: for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness. Then he suffered him.This was equivalent to saying, "Yes, I know I have no sins to be repented of and that I might claim an exemption from this duty proclaimed by the authority of God and binding upon all men; but, since this is God's ordinance, I wish to honor it anyway and am delighted to do so by obeying the commandment now." read more
Matthew 3:14-15. But John forbad him, &c.— But John excused himself. See the note on John 1:31. Doddridge and others have it, Would have hindered or prevented him, saying, I have need to be baptized of you, and do you come to me? But Jesus was, in his own person, to pass through and sanctify all states; and, although the last stage wherein holiness and virtue attain their higher purity was his reserved province with regard to others, yet he himself began in the first; so that there was no... read more
15. And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now—"Let it pass for the present"; that is, "Thou recoilest, and no wonder, for the seeming incongruity is startling; but in the present case do as thou art bidden." for thus it becometh us—"us," not in the sense of "me and thee," or "men in general," but as in John 3:11. to fulfil all righteousness—If this be rendered, with SCRIVENER, "every ordinance," or, with CAMPBELL, "every institution," the meaning is obvious enough; and the same... read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 3:15
Suffer it to be so now ; suffer it now (Revised Version); "suffer me now"; ἄφες ἄρτι , only here (apparently) in the New Testament quite absolutely, but Matthew 7:4 slightly favours the Revised Version margin. Now ; at this special season ( ἄρτι ); in contrast to the more permanent relation which shall be recognized later. Our Lord thus slightly removes the trial to John's faith, which a mere refusal might have aggravated. Observe the implied consciousness of his... read more