Matthew 3 13

Matthew 3:13 kjv

Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him.

Matthew 3:13 nkjv

Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him.

Matthew 3:13 niv

Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John.

Matthew 3:13 esv

Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him.

Matthew 3:13 nlt

Then Jesus went from Galilee to the Jordan River to be baptized by John.

Matthew 3 verses

Matthew 3 13 Meaning

Matthew 3:13 describes the pivotal moment when Jesus journeys from Galilee to the Jordan River to be baptized by John the Baptist. This act marks the commencement of Jesus' public ministry and signifies His intentional identification with humanity and submission to God's will, initiating His path of "fulfilling all righteousness." Though sinless, Jesus chose to align Himself with the repentant sinners whom John was baptizing, demonstrating humility and solidarity before His divine anointing and public proclamation.

Matthew 3 13 Context

Matthew Chapter 3 introduces John the Baptist as the prophetic forerunner of the Messiah, fulfilling the ancient prophecies (Isa 40:3, Mal 3:1). John's ministry is characterized by a call to repentance and baptism in the Jordan River, signaling a spiritual cleansing and preparation for God's impending judgment and the coming Kingdom. His baptism was for the remission of sins and attracted large crowds, including Pharisees and Sadducees, whom John sharply rebuked. This verse, Matt 3:13, marks a significant shift as Jesus, who has been living quietly in Galilee, now enters this scene. This entrance of the sinless Son of God into a baptism of repentance is profoundly significant, serving not for His own cleansing but to inaugurate His messianic mission and validate John's prophetic role. The immediate context of chapter 3 sets the stage for Jesus' public unveiling, a divine transition from preparation to fulfillment.

Matthew 3 13 Word analysis

• Then (Greek: τότε - tote): A conjunction indicating a specific point in time following the events just described (John's ministry and preaching). It signifies a climactic transition and marks the commencement of Jesus' active involvement.
• Jesus (Greek: Ἰησοῦς - Iēsous): The Greek form of the Hebrew "Yeshua" (Joshua), meaning "the Lord saves." His identity as the Messiah, God incarnate, makes His participation in John's baptism profoundly significant as He, the Savior, comes to a rite for sinners.
• came (Greek: ἔρχεται - erchetai): Present tense, conveying an immediate, intentional, and purposeful arrival. It underscores the deliberateness of Jesus' action.
• from Galilee (Greek: ἀπὸ τῆς Γαλιλαίας - apo tēs Galilaias): Galilee, particularly Nazareth, was considered a less esteemed region, somewhat distant from the religious center of Jerusalem (Jn 1:46). Jesus' journey from here highlights His humble origins and also sets up a connection to the prophecy of light coming to "Galilee of the Gentiles" (Isa 9:1-2).
• to the Jordan (Greek: ἐπὶ τὸν Ἰορδάνην - epi ton Iordanēn): The Jordan River holds immense biblical symbolism. It was the boundary between the wilderness and the Promised Land (Jos 3:14-17), representing a transition. It was also the site of prophetic healings and spiritual events (2 Ki 5:10-14). John the Baptist’s choice of this location for baptism further amplified its symbolic significance of purification and entering a new covenantal phase.
• to John (Greek: πρὸς τὸν Ἰωάννην - pros ton Ioannēn): This signifies a direct, personal encounter. John was the recognized prophet of the moment, the last of the Old Covenant prophets preparing the way for the New.
• to be baptized (Greek: βαπτισθῆναι - baptisthēnai): Passive infinitive, "to be immersed" or "to be submerged." For ordinary people, John’s baptism symbolized repentance from sin. For Jesus, being sinless (Heb 4:15), it represented an identification with humanity's sin, an act of humility, and His anointing for public ministry. It wasn't for cleansing, but for consecration.
• by him (Greek: ὑπ’ αὐτοῦ - hyp' autou): Underscores John's role as the instrument of this act. Despite John's awareness of Jesus' greater stature (Matt 3:14), Jesus deliberately subjected Himself to John’s ministry, validating John’s God-given commission.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Then Jesus came from Galilee": Highlights Jesus' purposeful movement from a known, less significant place to a central location for the unfolding of His divine mission. This geographical movement underscores the active beginning of His ministry, after decades of obscurity.
• "to the Jordan to John": Emphasizes the destination as both a significant physical location and a specific person. The Jordan River represents a transition point in salvation history, and meeting John signifies the convergence of prophetic anticipation and divine fulfillment. Jesus intentionally seeks out His divinely appointed forerunner.
• "to be baptized by him": Reveals the explicit purpose of Jesus' journey. This phrase holds the key to understanding why the sinless Son of God would undergo a baptism of repentance. It's an act of solidarity, identification with sinners, consecration for priestly ministry, and fulfillment of divine righteousness. It establishes the inauguration of Jesus' redemptive work in public, with divine affirmation to follow.

Matthew 3 13 Bonus section

• Messianic Reversal: This verse exemplifies a "messianic reversal," where the Greater One (Jesus) comes to be served by the lesser one (John), thereby validating John's divine commission even as John himself acknowledged Jesus' superiority (Matt 3:14). This humility foreshadows Jesus' ultimate act of service and sacrifice.
• Initiation of Kingship and Priesthood: In ancient Israel, kings and priests were typically consecrated with an anointing, often involving water or oil. Jesus' baptism by water and subsequent anointing by the Spirit (Matt 3:16) can be understood as His divine enthronement and priestly consecration for His unique role as both King and High Priest.
• Parallel to Israel's History: Jesus' passage through the Jordan echoes Israel's crossing into the Promised Land under Joshua's leadership. This event hints that Jesus, the greater Joshua (Yeshua), leads His people into a new spiritual covenant and the true spiritual promised land of God's Kingdom.

Matthew 3 13 Commentary

Matthew 3:13 serves as a pivotal hinge in the Gospel narrative, transitioning from John the Baptist's preparatory ministry to the unveiling of Jesus as the Messiah. The scene presents a moment of profound theological significance. Jesus, who knew no sin, willingly submits to a baptism designed for the remission of sins. This action is not for His own purification, but a deep act of identification with fallen humanity. It signifies His intent to step into the role of the spotless Lamb who would bear the sins of the world (John 1:29).

This verse also marks the solemn inauguration of Jesus' public ministry. It is His ceremonial anointing, much like Old Testament priests were consecrated for service. By receiving baptism "to fulfill all righteousness" (Matt 3:15), Jesus demonstrates His perfect obedience to the Father's will and establishes a foundational principle for His ministry: all aspects of the divine plan must be completely fulfilled. His journey from the humble region of Galilee to the symbolic Jordan also underscores the counter-cultural nature of His coming, aligning Himself with those seeking God's truth, rather than immediately appearing in centers of power. This event validates John's ministry, presents Jesus as the Servant-King, and paves the way for the divine voice and Spirit's affirmation in the subsequent verses, truly beginning the New Covenant era.