Matthew 3:13 Then comes Jesus from Galilee to Jordan to John, to be baptized of him. I. The circumstance of TITLE. 1. Seasonable. Men were at this time being baptized and confessing their sins. People were expecting the Christ (John 1:19). Let man be diminished, but let God arise. The truth is revealed that the servant may not rob the Master of His honour. 2. This adverb of time points to the age of Christ. Mature age. He taught the need of well-seasoned timber to make pillars for the Church of God. As Christ attained perfect age in nature, His servants should be perfect in grace and glory. II. After WHAT MANNER HE WOULD BE BAPTIZED. 1. Upon what ground did John begin this new ceremony: It betokened the end of the old ceremonies. Superstitions turned into a blessing. Heathen used washings. Turned into an immortal laver. 2. The dignity of John's baptism. It was the baptism of repentance. It did not lack grace. But Christ's ministry is better than man's.Distinctions between the two baptisms. 1. John baptized in the name of the Messiah. Christ bade His disciples use another form. 2. They differ in extent — John baptized in the regions of Judaea, Christ bade His disciples to except none. 3. Christ's baptism transcends John's in the variety of persons. 4. Christ's baptism is more operative since He has gone to His Father. 5. John's baptism was good, Christ's is necessary to the end of the world. (Hacket.) 1. John was jealous of our Saviour's honour. 2. He confesses his vileness and inferiority. (Hacket.)Faith is nothing else but a long-continued astonishment, which knows not how to utter itself, because the Lord hath done such marvellous things for us. (Hacket.) Parallel Verses KJV: Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him.WEB: Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. |
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