Matthew 3:13–17 (ESV) —
13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by
him. 14 John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be
baptized by you, and do you come to me?” 15 But Jesus answered
him, “Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all
righteousness.” Then he consented. 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; 17 and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my
beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”
NOTE: Jesus does not
dispute John's profession that Jesus was the great figure, because Jesus knew
who he was, the son of God. The baptism reinforces John's astute observation.
Additionally, this is an important event because it bestows authority on Jesus.
Later, Jews would ask for his authority, i.e., the two required rabbis who
could vouch for his teachings (usually his teachers). Jesus authority is much
higher than a couple of rabbis, but is God the Father and God the Holy Spirit.
The Father speaks and the Holy Spirit descends upon him, thus firmly
establishing his authority as none other than God himself. There is no greater
authority. In the OT, God would use his word as the guarantee of his portion of
a covenant or promise. Most people swear by something higher, but for God there
is nothing higher. However you might want to reinterpret the story, from a
Jewish point of view, the conclusion is clear--Jesus' authority rests on the
absolute authority of God himself. To ignore Jesus, is to ignore God.
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