Matthew 3:16-4:11

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 3:16

And Jesus, when he was baptized ,.... Christ, when he was baptized by John in the river Jordan, the place where he was baptizing, went up straightway out of the water . One would be at a loss at first sight for a reason why the Evangelist should relate this circumstance; for after the ordinance was administered, why should he stay in the water? what should he do there? Everyone would naturally and reasonably conclude, without the mention of such a circumstance, that as soon as his... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 3:16

The heavens were opened unto him - That is, to John the Baptist - and he, John, saw the Spirit of God - lighting upon him, i.e. Jesus. There has been some controversy about the manner and form in which the Spirit of God rendered itself visible on this occasion. St. Luke, Luke 3:22 , says it was in a bodily shape like to a dove: and this likeness to a dove some refer to a hovering motion, like to that of a dove, and not to the form of the dove itself: but the terms of the text are too... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 3:16

Verse 16 16.And, lo, the heavens were opened to him. The opening of the heavens sometimes means a manifestation of heavenly glory; but here it means also a cleft, or opening, of the visible heaven, so that John could see something beyond the planets and stars. The words of Mark can have no other meaning, he saw the heavens cleft asunder (296) An exact inquiry into the way in which this opening was made, would be of no importance, nor is it necessary. It is sufficient for us to believe, that it... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 3:13-17

THE BAPTISM OF JESUS . 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

And Jesus, when he was baptized . Combining the statements of the synoptists, we may conclude that Jesus went up from the water at once, praying as he went, and that, while he was going up and praying, the heavens opened. Out of ; from '(Revised Version); ἀπό ; for, as it seems, he had not gone fully out of the water. The heavens were opened unto him . So also the Revised Version, but the Revised Version margin, with Westcott and Herr, rightly omits "unto him." The words were... read more

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