So secure is Jesus in who He is — the Father’s beloved Son — that He is free to serve rather than tyrannize His subjects, and to deal gently rather than harshly with the lowliest and the weakest of them (Matt. Unlike those Old Testament persons who prefigure Him (for example, Moses, David, Solomon and Jonah), Jesus is consistently faithful to the Father’s will. During Christ’s ministry He used the figurative language of immersion as a symbol of His coming death and resurrection. When assailed, He does not retaliate or threaten vengeance (Isa. For the Christian baptism symbolizes death to our old self and being raised up to new life. 1:6), Jesus is anointed by the Spirit of God to proclaim the Word of God (Luke 4:18–19). “He will save His people from their sins,” said the angel concerning the child that Mary would bear (Matt. John was the forerunner for the coming Messiah or Christ (Luke 1:17). 2:7) and His loyal Servant (Isa. The Bridegroom would be snatched away from the wedding guests, said Jesus early in His ministry, (Matt. 2:6–7). 12:19–20). 9:15). Before appointing others to be missionaries, He has been one Himself. 42:1). Already in Jesus’ childhood, service to His Father took precedence over, and also found expression in, submission to His earthly parents (Luke 2:41–52). Jesus is the Prophet foretold by Moses (Deut. (15) Suffer it to be so now.--The "now" is emphatic, at the present time, in contrast with what was to follow. righteousness. The first reason that we can confidently give for Jesus wanting to be baptized was to prove to John the Baptist that Jesus was the Messiah. We probably all know the general meaning of the word fulfilled—“to finish or reach the end of something.” We should realize, however, the word fulfill in the context of today’s passage has a much deeper meaning. 5:18). Jesus says that He came to fulfill the Law and the Prophets. and they were being baptized by him in the Jordan River, as they confessed their sins. It is love for the fallen world that causes the Father to send His Son upon His mission ( John 3:16; 1 John 4:10). In Matthew 3:15, Jesus says He is going to "fulfill all righteousness," which Protestants have long pointed to as proof that Jesus came to perfectly keep the law in our place. Matthew uses the term “king” (Greek, basileus) in several ways, but only Jesus is called “king of the Jews” or “king of Israel.” The character of that kingship Matthew describes in 12:18–21 by quoting Isaiah 42:1–4. Mark 10:38-39 (NASB), But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is accomplished! But this is difficult to accept, since religious washing symbolized the cleansing of sin. Baptism symbolized a man’s or woman’s sorrow over his or her sin and the desire to be cleansed from sin. Even the righteousness of God - That method of saving sinners which is not of works, but by faith in Christ Jesus; and it is not restrained to any particular people, as the law and its privileges were, but is unto all mankind in its intention and offer, and becomes effectual to them that believe; for God hath now made no difference between the Jews and the Gentiles. Even as a child, Jesus was found serving His Father in the temple (Luke 2:46–49). “Christ is the culmination of the law” (Romans 10:4). 17:7–9; Neh. Before we answer that question, we need to examine several points. “Behold, I havecome to do your will, O God,” said the Messiah when He came into the world (Heb. '” Jesus got baptized to fulfill all righteousness. In that same capacity, He prophesied that the temple would be destroyed (24:1–2, 15–21) and replaced by a temple of living stones (John 2:21; Eph. In his Manual of Christian Doctrine, Louis Berkhof rightly says that Jesus’ active and passive obedience may be distinguished but must never be separated. Who is doing the winnowing? Jeremiah 9:23-24. In conclusion, the righteousness Jesus fulfilled at His baptism was symbolic of the righteousness He would fulfill three years later at the cross. 123-124. When Jesus was baptized, it was to “fulfill all righteousness” (Matthew 3:15). 2:8). (NASB) Matthew 3:13-15. The Holy Spirit regenerated us (Titus 3:5). Righteousness is the quality or state of being morally correct and justifiable. 23) show His love for His enemies (Matt. 1. The Cross also marks the supreme exercise of Jesus’ passive obedience, of His submission to His Father’s will. Hereafter, John should be the receiver and not the giver, but as yet there was a fitness in each retaining his position (the words "it becometh us" seem to refer to both, not to the speaker only).The word and the thought are the same as those of Hebrews 2:10. We see in these definitions from both the Hebrew and the Greek that righteousness is synonymous with virtue. As His life progresses, He is increasingly persecuted for the sake of righteousness. Your gift enables our worldwide outreach. He authored several articles and books, including Paul and the Self. In the Greek, righteousness is translated from the word dikaiosyne, meaning integrity, virtue, purity of life, rightness, correctness of thinking, feeling and acting, the condition acceptable to YHVH. Dr. Knox Chamblin was professor emeritus of New Testament at Reformed Theological Seminary in Jackson, Mississippi. (Matthew 3:13-15) Jesus fulfills all righteousness by ritually performing repentance even when he’s not culpable. He preaches the Gospel of God’s dawning Rule, calling listeners to repentance and faith (Matt. (John 10:18; Phil. This word is extremely important and necessary to all Christians. 42:1–4) prepares for the fourth (52:13–53:12), so Matthew 3:17 and 12:18–21 prepare for 20:28 and 26:26–28, where Jesus speaks of the Son’s ultimate obedience and of the Servant’s supreme sacrifice. He made us a new creation (Galatians 6:15). 2:20). What is the meaning of Matthew 3:11-12? One reason for this authority is that what Jesus teaches others, He Himself does. It can be considered synonymous with "rightness" or being "upright". So why did Jesus want to be baptized? in all its fullness to as many people as possible. Then he permitted Him. 5:44). In Gethsemane He prayed: “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will” (Matt. Grant Osborne. The New Testament tells us that we died to self when we were saved. John the Baptist twice called Jesus “the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.” The Old Testament tabernacle was a mirror image of how Jesus would save us. John’s baptism was not for Jesus. from Nazareth (France, 119)1. John’s Baptism Symbolizes Repentance & Preparation, Isaiah 38:1-5; 2 Kings 20:1-11; 2 Chronicles 32:24-31, Matthew 26:36-58; Mark 14:32-54; Luke 22:39-54; John 18:2-15. The Son of God willingly became a man (“born of a woman”) so that He could die as the God-Man. Jesus’ death for sinners is foreshadowed Here at the Jordan River, as John the Baptist recognizes (John 1:29). The special form meant is not the mere compliance with the ordinance of baptism as administered by an accredited servant of God, but something far deeper, which the new era will unfold. Moreover, He purchased freedom for a people who stood condemned because of their solidarity with Adam (“to redeem those who were under the law”) (Rom. Again, we must remember that Jesus was sinless! Yet “righteousness” in this text is richer still. Nothing less than all this is meant by the phrase “thou shalt be saved.” The question which we must now address if we are to make sense of this doctrine that God is “just and the justifier” of them that believe on Christ, is not “what must I do Even the woes upon the scribes and Pharisees (Matt. Exodus 29:1-7, “This is what you are to do to consecrate them, so they may serve me as priests: Take a young bull and two rams without defect. This is the baptism that fulfills all righteousness. Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Matthew 3:2 (NASB). Yet “righteousness” in this text is richer still. With equal authority He expounds the Law of God, requir- ing of His followers personal holiness and social righteousness (Matt. '”  John 1:32-33 (NASB). Was this a hand off of ministry from John to Jesus? Jesus was identifying Himself with John’s ministry. Like Moses, He expounds the Law of God from a mountain (Matt. Then he suffered him. Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented. He enacts a willingness to be responsible even when he’s not guilty. Does the Bible tell us that John's baptism of Jesus fulfilled the law, and that it was completed by Jesus' baptism? 3:14), Jesus said, “Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Jesus and John will together do all that God has determined to be right for them. 1:21). The supreme work that the Father requires of the Son (that which above all … 1:21; 20:28; 26:26–28). Throughout His life He faithfully taught the people on a host of sub- jects — a responsibility of priests in the Old Testament (2 Chron. Jesus’ interpretation of the Law perfectly accords with the progress of God’s saving purpose in history (Matt. 2:8–11; Matt. 26:39). The article suggested that Christ's baptisim was a manner of fulfilling all righteousness on [i] [u]our [/u] behalf [/i]. 4:17, 23). He mourns — not over personal sins (for He has none), but over others’ hardness of heart, stubbornness of will, and bondage to sin. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit." 7:24–26). Shortly before His death, He, who was not a descendant of Levi but of Judah (Matt. Righteousness means to be without guilt … Matthew 28:19 (NASB). Sadly, the New Testament text provides us no more explanation of this phrase. 28:18–20). He chose to teach and heal in the temple (Matt. But John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I have need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?” But Jesus answering said to him, “Permit it at this time; for in this way it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he permitted Him. At His transfiguration, the Father said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him” (Matt. All Rights Reserved. 5:21). For Jesus to have sought John's baptism at all would have required “significant motivation and suggests that Jesus was already aware of God's special purpose for him” to make the seventy mile trek (especially if on foot!) Just as the first Servant song (Isa. Remember, Luther had been taught that the righteousness of God had only one meaning. 7:6-8:39). 5:19b). Thereafter, whenever God looks upon us, His children, He sees the righteousness of His beloved Son. Matthew 3:6 (NASB). (NASB) Romans 6:3-4. The mission, passion and purpose of Ligonier Ministries is to proclaim the holiness of God He foretells events both near and distant (Matt. (NASB) Matthew 3:13-15. . God had promised to show John who the Messiah was by giving him a sign. The cleansing act is God’s forgiveness of sins. . Jesus “humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross” (Phil. Yet He willingly received “a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins” (Mark 1:4), a sign that He identifies with the sins of those He came to save (2 Cor. 9:1–8). Donate Now. In every part of our day, we should do what is right, follow the law, and follow the rules, that we too might be God’s beloved and by our life, and our children’s lives, He might be well pleased. 5:1), Jesus offered prayers for others (Matt. What does it mean that Jesus' baptism fulfilled “all righteousness”? Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death? – They tolerated Jezebel. Astonishingly, it is by the very means of His lowly service that all earthly tyrants will be subdued, and all nations made His possession (Zech. Unlike the others who came for baptism (Matt. Assuming that we would also like “to fulfil all righteousness,” we need to clearly and more fully understand what this entails. - King James Version (1611) - View 1611 Bible Scan But Jesus answering said to him, "Permit {it} at this time; for in this way it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness. Looks upon us, His children, He has loved them ( John 13:34 ) published in Tabletalk Magazine an! The forgiveness of sins subsequent baptism by John was the forerunner for the baptism! Magazine, an outreach of Ligonier singular purpose is to know and to do Father. Not guilty is pure in heart commands His followers personal holiness and righteousness. 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