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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Matthew 3:13-17

Our Lord Jesus, from his childhood till now, when he was almost thirty years of age, had lain hid in Galilee, as it were, buried alive; but now, after a long and dark night, behold, the Sun of righteousness rises in glory. The fulness of time was come that Christ should enter upon his prophetical office; and he chooses to do it, not at Jerusalem (though it is probable that he went thither at the three yearly feasts, as others did), but there where John was baptizing; for to him resorted those... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Matthew 3:13-17

3:13-17 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John to be baptized by him. But John tried to prevent him. "It is I," he said, "who need to be baptized by you, and are you coming to me?" Jesus answered him, "Let it be just now, for so it befits us to fulfil all righteousness." Then he allowed Jesus to be baptized. After Jesus had been baptized he came up immediately from the water and, lo, the heavens were opened for John, and he saw the Spirit of God descending, like a dove, and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 3:17

And lo, a voice from heaven, saying ,.... At the same time the heavens were opened, and the Spirit of God descended as a dove, and lighted on Christ, and whilst it abode upon him, an extraordinary voice was heard; hence the note of attention and admiration, "lo", is prefixed unto it, as before, to the opening of the heavens; being what was unusual and surprising; and as denoting something to be expressed of great moment and importance. The Jews, in order to render this circumstance less... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 3:17

In whom I am well pleased - Εν ω ενδακησα in whom I have delighted - though it is supposed that the past tense is here used for the present: but see the note on Matthew 17:5 . By this voice, and overshadowing of the Spirit, the mission of the Lord Jesus was publicly and solemnly accredited; God intimating that he had before delighted in him: the law, in all its ordinances, having pointed him out, for they could not be pleasing to God, but as they were fulfilled in, and showed forth, the... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 3:17

Verse 17 17.And, lo, a voice from heaven From that opening of the heavens, which has been already mentioned, a loud voice was heard, that its majesty might be more impressive. The public appearance of Christ, to undertake the office of Mediator, was accompanied by this announcement, (300) in which he was offered to us by the Father, that we may rely on this pledge of our adoption, and boldly call God himself our Father. The designation of Son belongs truly and naturally to Christ alone: but yet... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 3:13-17

The baptism of Jesus. I. ITS REASON . 1 . He was made sin for us , though he was without sin. He came to be baptized; it was the purpose of his coming He would not have come that long journey from Galilee to Bethany beyond Jordan unless there had been some grave reason, some necessity, some deep meaning in his baptism. It was the baptism of repentance; he needed no repentance. It was accompanied with confession of sin; he could not confess, for he had no sin. But God had sent... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 3:13-17

The baptism of Jesus. This is a narrative which authenticates itself. No Christian writer of a later generation would have invented a story of the baptism of Jesus by John; nor could any current ideas have started a myth in this form. The very difficulties of the story prove its historicity. I. LET US INQUIRE WHAT WAS THE MEANING OF THE BAPTISM OF JESUS . 1 . Note some errors to be avoided. 2 . Consider the truths of the incident. Baptism has a double... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 3:13-17

Baptism of Jesus. I. ITS OCCASION . How long was Jesus to be known merely as the village carpenter of Nazareth? What is to transpire which shall show him that God's time has come for his public ministry? Ambition makes opportunities. In general, kings have only to wait the demise of their predecessors. To our Lord came at last a summons he could not misunderstand nor resist. John's hearers longed for that which only Jesus could give. He could no longer hide himself in Nazareth when a... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 3:16-17

The heavenly attestation of the Sonship of Jesus. The singular and thrilling event recorded in these verses is recorded also by St. Mark ( Mark 1:9-11 )and by St. Luke ( Luke 3:21 , Luke 3:22 ) in an equally full manner, while it is distinctly alluded to by St. John ( John 1:32 , John 1:33 ). It is remarkable that, though nothing is said either way, we are left to conclude that the vision was confined to the two only—Jesus himself and John the Baptist. From that time John, who had ... read more

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