The baptism of Jesus

1. All the synoptic gospels reported the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist, thus their account were very identical.

2.According to the gospels, Jesus came down from Nazareth of Galilee to be baptised by John the Baptist in the river Jordan.

3. Matthew records that John recognised Jesus as the expected Messiah when he saw Him.

4. He wondered why Jesus should come to him for baptism since Jesus was superior to him.

5. John therefore became hesitant in baptizing Jesus and said “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?”

6.However, Jesus persuaded John to baptize him saying, let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfil all righteousness

7.John then agreed and had Jesus baptised.

8. As Jesus came out of the water, the heavens opened and the Spirit of the Lord descended upon Him like a dove.

9. Then a voice was heard from heaven saying “this is my beloved son, with whom I am well pleased”.

10. The text above alluded to the baptism of Jesus as an event that marked Jesus’ call into the ministry.

11.There is disparity among the synoptic gospels about the time the dove descended on Jesus, while Matthew and Mark said that this happened as Jesus was being baptized, Luke said it happened after the baptism. Similarly, only Matthew reported John’s reluctance to baptize Jesus.