Why Was Jesus Baptized?

by Noble Harber

Three of the four gospels — Matthew, Mark, and Luke — record the baptism of Jesus by John (Matt 3:13-17; Mark 1:9-11; Luke 3:21,22). Matthew’s account provides the most definitive answer to the question, “Why was Jesus baptized?”  The following text is the account of Jesus’ baptism as recorded by Matthew:  

 Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. And John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?” But Jesus answered and said to him, “Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us  to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he allowed Him. When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My  beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” 

 Can you imagine being in the shoes, uh … sandals, of John when Jesus approached him on the shore of the Jordan river asking John to baptize him? John had come to prepare the way of the Lord (Matt 3:1-3). While preparing the way of the Lord, John told his followers that Jesus was mightier than he, so much so that John was not worthy to even carry Jesus’ sandals (Matt 3:11). Then came Jesus asking John to baptize him. It must surely have been a mixture of emotions — surprise, awkwardness, humility — felt by John upon Jesus’ request of him.  

 Today, we may experience somewhat similar feelings when considering the baptism of Jesus. If baptism is the avenue by which sins are washed away (Acts 22:16), then why was Jesus baptized? Aren’t we told that Jesus committed no sin? (Hebrews 4:15; I Peter 2:21,22).  

 The answer to our question is provided by Jesus Himself. He told John, “Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness” (Matthew 3:15). Even as a child, Jesus understood that He was on earth to do His Father’s will (Luke 2:49). Therein is the idea of “righteousness,” namely, conformity to the will of God. Jesus replied to John by saying “it is fitting” (i.e., appropriate) to conform to the will of God.  

 Note that Jesus said, “it is fitting for us….” Who is the “us” to whom Jesus refers? It is possible that Jesus was referring to Himself and John. Likely, however, Jesus was referring to all believers. Regardless, the point is that Jesus was compelled to “fulfill all righteousness” — to conform to the requirements of God. In being baptized, Jesus led the way for all believers to do the same — to fulfill all righteousness. Jesus had not sinned and never did sin, yet He understood that all believers needed to be baptized. Jesus was obedient to God’s will and received God’s expression of being “well pleased.” Why was Jesus baptized? Answer: “to fulfill all righteousness.” In order to be pleasing to God, we, too, must fulfill all righteousness; must conform to God’s will; … must be baptized.  

 Conformity to God’s will — righteousness — includes the prerequisites to baptism, namely, belief and repentance (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38). Baptism without these prerequisites is non-conformance. One who might be baptized without believing and repenting of one’s sins is not fulfilling righteousness. In order to be well pleasing to God, one must believe, repent, and be baptized.