William Burkitt's Expository Notes

Matthew 3:16

Here we have the solemn inauguration of Christ into his prophetic office, accompanied with. threefold miracle.

1. The opening of the heavens.

2. The descent of the Holy Ghost upon him, like as. dove descends.

3. God the Father's voice concerning his son.

The heavens were opened to shew that heaven, which was closed and shut against us for our sins, is now opened to us, by Christ's undertaking for us. As the first Adam shuts us out of heaven, the second Adam lets us into it; he opened heaven, to us by his meritorious passion, and he keeps it open by his prevailing intercession.

Next, the Holy Ghost descends like. dove upon our Savior: here we have an evidence of the blessed Trinity; the Father speaks from Heaven, the Son comes out of the water,

Hence we gather, That the Holy Ghost is not. quality, or an operation, but. person, and. person really distinct from the Father and the Son.

But why did the Holy Spirit now descend upon Christ, seeing he was mow truly and really God?

Answer The divinity of Christ was quiescent in him, till he entered upon his prophetic office at thirty years old, and after.

And the Holy Ghost now descends, first, for the designation of his person, to shew that Christ was the person set apart for the work and office of. mediator.

Secondly, For the qualification of his person for the performance of his office. This was Christ's unction, Isaiah 61:1 when he was anointed above his fellows, to be the king, priest and, prophet of his church.

Last of all, We have the audible voice of God the Father pronouncing,

1. The nearness of Christ's relation to himself, This is my Son, not by adoption, but by eternal generation.

2. The endearedness of his person, This is my beloved Son.

3. The fruit and benefit of this near and dear relation unto us; In him. am well pleased.

Note, 1. That there is no possibility for any person to please God out of Christ; both our persons and our performances find acceptance only for his sake.

2. That in and through Christ, God is well pleased with all believers: This is my beloved Son, in whom. am well pleased, &c.

Lord! what revivng news is this to thy church, to hear that her head and husband, her surety, mediator, and intercessor, is that only Son of God in whom his soul is delighted and ever well pleased! That Son who always pleased thee, and by and through whom thou art well pleased with, and reconciled to, thy offending creatures!

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William Burkitt's Expository Notes

Matthew 3:16

Old Testament

New Testament