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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Matthew 3:13-17

Our Lord Jesus, from his childhood till now, when he was almost thirty years of age, had lain hid in Galilee, as it were, buried alive; but now, after a long and dark night, behold, the Sun of righteousness rises in glory. The fulness of time was come that Christ should enter upon his prophetical office; and he chooses to do it, not at Jerusalem (though it is probable that he went thither at the three yearly feasts, as others did), but there where John was baptizing; for to him resorted those... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Matthew 3:13-17

3:13-17 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John to be baptized by him. But John tried to prevent him. "It is I," he said, "who need to be baptized by you, and are you coming to me?" Jesus answered him, "Let it be just now, for so it befits us to fulfil all righteousness." Then he allowed Jesus to be baptized. After Jesus had been baptized he came up immediately from the water and, lo, the heavens were opened for John, and he saw the Spirit of God descending, like a dove, and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 3:13

Then cometh Jesus ,.... That is, when John had been some time preaching the doctrine of repentance, and administering the ordinance of baptism; for which, time must be allowed, since he went into all the country about Jordan, and preached unto them, and baptized such large numbers: very probably it might be six months from his first entrance on his ministry; since there was this difference in their age, and so might be in their baptism and preaching. Now when John had given notice of the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 3:14

But John forbad him, saying ,.... It appears from hence, that John knew Christ before he baptized him, and before he saw the Spirit descending and abiding on him, John 1:33 wherefore that was not a signal, whereby he should first know him but whereby his knowledge of him should be confirmed; which knowledge of him he had, not through his kindred to him, or by any conversation he had with him before, but by immediate, divine revelation: upon which account he "forbad him"; refused to... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 3:14

John forbad him - Earnestly and pressingly opposed him: this is the proper import of the words διεκωλευεν αυτον . I have observed that δια , in composition, most frequently, if not always, strengthens the signification in classic authors. - Wakefield. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 3:13

Verse 13 Matthew 3:13.That he might be baptized by him. For what purpose did the Son of God wish to be baptized? This may be learned, in some measure, from his answer. We have already assigned a special reason. He received the same baptism with us, in order to assure believers, that they are ingrafted into his body, and that they are “buried with him in baptism,” that they may rise to “newness of life,” (Romans 6:4.) But the end, which he here proposes, is more extensive: for thus it became him... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 3:14

Verse 14 14.I have need to be baptized by thee. It is certain, that John acknowledged Christ to be not only a distinguished prophet, as many foolishly dream, but the Son of God, as he really was: for otherwise he would have dishonored God by lowering his holy calling to a mortal man. How he came to know this, the reader will learn by consulting John’s Gospel, (John 1:15) There was, no doubt, plausibility in this ground of refusal, that Christ had no need of his baptism: but John was mistaken in... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 3:1-15

The appearance of John the Baptist. The interval between the last verse of the second chapter and the first verse of this chapter measures the period of the life of Christ stretching from his earliest childhood to his entrance on his public ministry, or close thereupon. Meantime we are here brought to the time when appeared one of the most distinctly marked, most honoured, characters of all history. John the baptist, son of Zacharias and Elisabeth, was the child of prophecy. He was one of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 3:13

Then ; temporal ( Matthew 3:5 , note). When John was preaching and baptizing. Cometh (verse 1, note). From Galilee . Mark adds, "from Nazareth of Galilee" (for this is his first historical mention of our Lord), thereby implying that our Lord had lived in Nazareth since our Matthew 2:22 , etc. In contrast to the representative teachers from Jerusalem, and the crowds both from there and from the Jordan valley ( Matthew 2:5 ), this Stranger came from Galilee. To Jordan . It is hard... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 3:13-15

The baptism of Jesus by John. The baptisms of Jesus at the Jordan were two, viz. that ministered by John and that ministered by the Holy Ghost. The former now claims attention. Jesus himself sought this baptism. Why? I. WHY DID JESUS COME TO THE JORDAN ? 1 . That the Scripture might be fulfilled. 3 . Both authentications took place at the same spot. John baptized at Bethabara ( John 1:28 ). This place had its name, the "House of passage," from the passage of... read more

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