Matthew 3 - Introduction

Jesus Was Baptized By John

Matthew Three

Matthew was inspired by God to skip about thirty years in the life of Jesus between Matthew two and Matthew three. In Matthew three he introduced us to John by simply saying, “In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea.” (Matthew 1:1) Both the birth of Jesus and the ministry of John are a part of the story of the salvation of mankind.

God can always use fearless, dedicated men like John the Baptist. His mission was that of being a forerunner for Jesus. This common man had an uncommon influence for God's cause. In quiet solitude with God, this great man prepared to be a true and faithful servant of God. Jesus would later say of John, “Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.” (Matthew 11:11)

John was a public preacher and his message was a public proclamation of the need for all men everywhere to repent. It is of interest that John did much of his public preaching “in the wilderness of Judea.” This is an area that was not heavily populated, but many people passed through there.

John's message was simply, "Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." Repentance is one of the most misunderstood words in the Bible. Some confuse repentance with prayer or confessing sins. Repentance is not expressing regret for sin. It is a change of heart or a change of mind that leads to a change in one's actions.

Matthew described John as “the voice of one crying in the wilderness.” This was a fulfillment of the prophecy of Isaiah 40:3. John's work was to prepare the way for Christ. His dress and food was primitive. He was like Elijah, one of the great Old Testament prophets. Many people came to John to confess their sins and to be baptized by him.

The Pharisees and Sadducees came to check out John's baptism. He knew their lack of conversion so he said, “O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance.” (Matthew 3:7-8) He was not trying to be popular and he did not just want these people to be religious. He wanted them to be righteous.

Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist. John's baptism was a baptism growing out of repentance and it was for the remission. But Jesus was the sinless Son of God. (2 Corinthians 5:21) He had no need of repentance and forgiveness of sins. Jesus was baptized because that was the “proper way to fulfill all righteousness.” Jesus wanted to be baptized because that was God's will. He was willing to be baptized when he did not even need to be. The Pharisees and Sadducees were unwilling to repent and be baptized for the remission of sins when they very much needed to be!

At the baptism of Jesus it was verified from heaven that He is the Son of God. “And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:16-17)