Gospel of Matthew Chapter 3 Vs. 15

 The Baptism of Jesus

Matthew 3:15 “And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer [it to be so] now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.”

“Suffer it to... Means allow it to be or let it happen. Jesus sought this outward identification with John’s ministry “to fulfill all righteousness”. By identifying Himself with those He came to redeem, Jesus inaugurated His public ministry as the Messiah. In regard to the Jewish religious observances, such as synagogue worship, attendance at feasts, and payment of the temple tax, Jesus always met the duties of a faithful Jew.

us to fulfil... Both were sent by God and had to fulfill what they were sent to do.

Christ was here identifying Himself with sinners. He will ultimately bear their sins; His perfect righteousness will be imputed to them (2Cor. 5:21). This act of baptism was a necessary part of the righteousness He secured for sinners.

Jesus, in speaking to John, affirmed His authority; and John submitted to the higher authority. Jesus was telling John that the correct thing for everyone to do is to do everything righteous. Don’t give anyone the appearance of not fulfilling all righteousness.

The first public event of His ministry is also rich in meaning:

1. It pictured His death and resurrection (Luke 12:50);

2. It therefore prefigured the significance of Christian baptism;

3. It marked His first public identification with those whose sins He would bear (Isa. 53:11; 1Pet. 3:18);

4. It was a public affirmation of His messiahship by testimony directly from heaven.

Jesus’ response to John was that it was fitting for Him to take part in John’s baptism at this time in order to fulfill all righteousness. What did Jesus mean? The Law included no requirements about baptism, so Jesus could not have had in view anything pertaining to Levitical righteousness. But John’s message was a message of repentance, and those experiencing it were looking forward to a coming Messiah who would be righteous and who would bring in righteousness. If Messiah were to provide righteousness for sinners, He must be identified with sinners. It was therefore in the will of God for Him to be baptized by John in order to be identified (the real meaning of the word “baptized”) with sinners.