Why did Jesus say, “For thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness,” when he came to be baptized by John?
Here’s the scripture:
Matthew 3:13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to Jordan to be baptized by John. But John refused, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and you come to me?” Jesus replied, “Let it be so now. For thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.”
Some people today, who haven’t told the truth, have made water baptism a requirement for receiving the righteousness of God.
If you carefully examine this scripture, you’ll see that God’s word must be fulfilled. John didn’t know Jesus was the Messiah, but God gave him a sign to recognize him. God said, “Whom you shall baptize, and the Holy Spirit will descend upon him, that is the one you are looking for.”
If John hadn’t baptized Jesus, he would have refused to obey God. God’s word had to be fulfilled.
John didn’t even know who the Messiah was, but God gave him a sign that he would recognize him when he baptized him.
Here’s what John said:
John 1:33 “I didn’t know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The one you see the Spirit descending upon and remaining on is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’” And I saw it and reported it, saying, “This is the Son of God.”
John had to baptize Jesus in order for God’s word to be fulfilled. If he had refused, he would have denied what God had instructed him to do.
The water baptism had two meanings. First, John was sent to baptize the people to teach them about being cleansed from their sins. It was a sign for Israel. He told them, “I baptize you with water, but the one who comes after me, Jesus, will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.” The first purpose was to teach the people. As Paul wrote, Israel always needed a sign to understand.
(See the comment for the rest)
