Why was Jesus Baptized?

[seakelp]

I was reading about the Pope’s visit to the Jordan, and the site where Jesus was baptized. I was reminded of a question I’d wondered about for a while: why was Jesus baptized?

Anyone know, or have any interesting / good explanations?

 

[FCEGM]

I was reading about the Pope’s visit to the Jordan, and the site where Jesus was baptized. I was reminded of a question I’d wondered about for a while: why was Jesus baptized?

Anyone know, or have any interesting / good explanations?

Jesus submitted to the baptism performed by John as a sign of His entry into His public life (and, as the Fathers teach, His entry into the water sanctified it as the sign it would be of Christian baptism).

 

[Catholic4Christ]

Here’s how I’ve always understood it.

1. Jesus told John he wanted to be baptized to “fulfill all righteousness.” I’m sure there’s plenty of ways to interpret that, but I would imagine that Jesus participated in any number of first century Jewish rituals that, as Son of God, he didn’t “need” to in the same way that regular people participated.
2. Jesus needed to provide an example of penitence and baptism to his followers - it’s one of the ways we know to be baptized. “What would Jesus do?” Jesus was baptized, therefore we should be baptized.
3. John’s baptism was not a Christian (Trinitarian) baptism, because Jesus and the Apostles were not yet practicing their “new” baptism. John’s baptism was a pious act of repentance. Jesus entered the waters to sanctify all water used in his new Christian baptism, which joins us to his life, death, and resurrection as Christians free from original sin.
4. This was part of his preparation to go out into the wilderness for forty days in prayer, fasting, and temptation. At this baptism the Spirit comes down upon him, and immediately after he is led by the Spirit into the wilderness.
5. The Messiah was to be the holy Anointed One of God. At his baptism, Jesus was anointed by the Holy Spirit of God.

Anyone feel free to correct any of this, I’m no theologian.

 

[PennyinCanada]

We say in the Eastern Rite that at the baptism of Jesus, the Trinity was revealed to the world. And, as already said, that He sanctified the waters of Christian baptisms.

 

[Vico]

An excerpt from the commentary in the NAB for Matthew 3:14-15 is that the fulfillment “is to submit to the plan of God for the salvation of the human race”.
Matthew 3:15 Jesus said to him in reply, “Allow it now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he allowed him.

To fulfill all righteousness: in this gospel to fulfill usually refers to fulfillment of prophecy, and righteousness to moral conduct in conformity with God’s will. Here, however, as in Mt 5:6; 6:33, righteousness seems to mean the saving activity of God. To fulfill all righteousness is to submit to the plan of God for the salvation of the human race. This involves Jesus’ identification with sinners; hence the propriety of his accepting John’s baptism.
​

 

[Bruce_Killian]

I was reading about the Pope’s visit to the Jordan, and the site where Jesus was baptized. I was reminded of a question I’d wondered about for a while: why was Jesus baptized?

Anyone know, or have any interesting / good explanations?

Jesus was baptized because at the start of the ordination of a Jewish priest the priest needed to be washed by a priest at the entrance to the temple. The candidate needed to be at least 30 years old and not yet 50. This washing was completed when Jesus’ feet were washed by Mary of Bethany, one who was clean needed only to have their feet washed. This occurred at the start of His last week the week of His full ordination. see my article on some of the other requirements. http://www.scripturescholar.com/JesusPriest.htm
Grace and peace,
Bruce

 

[sirach2v4]

The water baptism by immersion recalled the flood of Noah’s age where most of the population was put to death for sin.

But, the immersion was a symbol of the repentance which John was preaching. Repentance (teshuvah, if I’m not mistaken) is the ordinary pre-condition for going up to the Temple. But, John, a genuine priest, designates Jesus the lamb who takes away the sins of the world. So, the sins of the world are imputed to Jesus, for which the ceremonials at the temple by the high priest with the two goats is just a type for what occurs with John the B and Jesus.

Jesus fulfills role of the goat who is lead into the wilderness and only later becomes the goat/lamb of sacrifice, as well.

Jesus is annointed by the Father and then led by the Spirit into the wilderness. This shows Jesus readiness to die.