13 Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. Father, glorify thy name. Mark has "out of the water" [ ek (Greek #1537)]. However, who can read this account without thinking God Agrees. Lange even suggests that the stars appeared. Index to Matthew Henry's Comment Theme. The accidental, or even Providential, appearance of a real dove would not call for such marked mention in all four Gospels. Mark: ‘out of.’ They probably stood in the water, but as both accounts do not so assert, this is not the essential fact. By this God was indicating, not just that Jesus was filled with the Spirit, but that the Spirit was on earth in bodily form in Jesus, as in no other before or since. That did not mean, of course, that He acted separately from the Father. ← Back to All Text Commentaries John MacArthur is the pastor-teacher of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California, as well as an author, conference speaker, president of The Master’s University and Seminary, and featured teacher with the Grace to You media ministry. its motion. . went up straightway out of the water. His active ministry now begins. The Spirit does the filling for the purposes of prophecy and tongues - Acts 2:1-4). This was the moment from which the Holy Spirit’s mighty work would blossom out from the King and would fan out to those of Israel who were ready to receive Him. (The Apostles would also cast out evil spirits by the Spirit of God as imparted to them by Jesus - Matthew 10:1). Fr Michael Mullins lectures in Scripture in St Patrick’s College, Maynooth. Whether anyone else saw it we do not know. 15 And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Dr. Whitby of the Church of England said: “The observation of (conclusion reached by) the Greek Church is this, that he who ascended out of the water must first descend into it. Matthew 3:16. No wonder then that Luke felt that he had to emphasise the unique fact of what happened by calling it ‘bodily’. Lighting upon him; in token of his being endowed with the Holy Spirit for his work. And he saw — That is, Jesus saw the dovelike Spirit. (Witham) --- Calmet supposes that it was St. John that saw the Spirit of God descend thus upon Jesus Christ. The original indicates a past time, not a continued state. Matthew 3:16 16 And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, o the heavens were opened to him, 3 and he p saw the Spirit of … But the Vulgate supposes it was Jesus Christ himself. The Baptist bears record that he too beheld the Spirit descending (John 1:33-34), but there is not the slightest ground for supposing that there was any manifestation to others. Psalms 45:7; Isaiah 61:1. which in the first creation moved upon the face of the waters; A A . See also John 1:32. visible form, not expressed, which pretty much resembled the But the fourth Gospel gives us one more piece of information here, on the authority of one who saw and testified of it: "John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and IT ABODE UPON HIM" [ kai (Greek #2532) emeinen (Greek #3306) ep' (Greek #1909) auton (Greek #846)]. from off the earth? Having been baptised by John, Jesus came out of the water, and immediately ‘the Heavens were opened’. heavens was seen by them both: but to me it seems that John is Heard by all who stood by, as on the mount of transfiguration (chap. All rights reserved. Thousands in ancient and modern times have been baptized by affusion, as they are represented in ancient pictures, standing or kneeling in the bed of a stream. himself says he saw, and upon which he based the record and 16 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: Matthew 17 – Jesus Transfigured, Triumphant, and Taxed A. Jesus is transfigured. Christ, as well as John, according to ( Mark 1:10 ) . And Jesus, when he was baptized A temporary embodiment of the Holy Spirit occurred to publicly inaugurate our Lord as the Messiah. 16As soon as Jesus was baptized, He went up out of the water. 661. But the chief view of the God as it were opens the door of Heaven so that Heaven may break through on earth. for this is what was promised to John, as a sign, which should And lighting upon him — As a visible token of a new degree of the Holy Ghost’s operation in Christ, now at his entrance upon his public employment, even of that Spirit by which, according to the intimations God had given in his word, he was anointed in a peculiar manner, and abundantly fitted for his public work. John 3:23, Matthew 3:16, and Acts 8:38 give conclusive proof that the original method of baptism was by immersion. Everyone would naturally and reasonably ‘Unto Him’ may also mean ‘for him, ‘for his advantage. water, but lo, particularly designed, since this vision was upon his account, form of a dove; only that his visible descent and lighting on Luke 2:40; Luke 2:52; Hebrews 5:8). It must here therefore indicate something very special indeed, something that was totally unique, and with a unique significance. pp. That is, the Spirit invested itself with a dove form, in order to make itself visible to their senses. What happened at the ‘other’ Pentecost (and in the Upper Room - John 20:22) would be a repeating of this on the whole body of Christ (and on the whole band of Apostles) at the time. immediately, directly, as soon as he was out, or rather before. This is chaste purity. That then was a most momentous event. This was the John born to Zacharias and Elisabeth, whose miraculous birth to this too-old couple was announced, along with his call to be the forerunner of the Messiah, in Luke 1. i. Luke makes absolutely clear that what was seen was something ‘physical’ with an appearance almost like a dove. Matthew 3:16-17. the Spirit of God. Evangelist in relating this circumstance, is with respect to what And lest we should think that this was an accidental thing, he adds that this last particular was expressly given him as part of the sign by which he was to recognize and identify Him as the Son of God: "And I knew Him not: but He that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending AND REMAINING ON HIM [ kai (Greek #2532) menon (Greek #3306) ep' (Greek #1909) auton (Greek #846)], the same is He which baptizeth with the Holy Spirit. See the direct quotation in chap. place where he was baptizing. And was not such that "Holy, harmless, undefiled One," the "Separate from sinners?" The idea is quite remarkable. Descending as a dove. While too much dogmatism is ruled out, what is important is that something that appeared physical was actually seen. 3:23), sin’s wages is death (Rom. Bible Version Show footnotes. The latter sense is a possible one, declaring the eternal good pleasure of the Father in the Son, but this would be only a repetition of the previous declaration. As the Evangelists say that John saw the Holy Spirit, it is probable that the opening of the heavens was chiefly on his account. No combination of pictures could better express the ministry of Jesus. From that time, when the apostles had made the full confession of Christ, that he was the Son of God, he began to show them of his sufferings. By this attestation to his Sonship and Messiahship, Jesus was anointed as Prophet, Priest, and King. Let the Spirit of the Lord God come upon me, and I will preach the Gospel to the poor, and heal the broken-hearted, and send forth judgment unto victory.' Matthew 3:16-17. Matthew 3:16-17 NIV. This clause is taken from Isaiah 42:1. way for the visible descent of the Holy Ghost in a bodily shape. And lo, a voice out of the heavens. He alone received the Spirit in all His fullness (John 3:34). Luke says, "in a bodily shape" (Luke 3:22); that is, the blessed Spirit, assuming the corporeal form of a dove, descended thus upon His sacred head. At the same time our Lord had a human development (comp. 33. The Gospel of Matthew: a commentary 30 November, 1999 . We should recognise that this was the initial true ‘Pentecost’. The climax of the scene is not the baptism itself but the vision … It is sufficient for us to believe, that it was a symbol of the Divine presence. The dove depicts the One Who is meek and lowly in heart (Matthew 11:29), the One Who does not break the bruised reed or quench the still smoking flax (Matthew 12:20), Who through His Spirit gives life to those who seek Him (John 6:63), producing righteousness within them through the soft refreshing rain of the Holy Spirit (Isaiah 44:1-4), and yet the fire depicts One Who is harsh with sin, and will if necessary refine it with fire (Matthew 3:12; Malachi 3:3), and Who in the end will be harsher still with those who harden themselves against repentance and must receive the full weight of His fiery judgment (Matthew 3:13; Isaiah 5:24; Isaiah 66:16; Isaiah 66:24; Ezekiel 15:6-7; Ezekiel 22:21-22). 13Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch "went down into the water." And he saw — Christ himself saw, and also John the Baptist, as appears by John 1:33-34; and by this he was further confirmed that this was the very Christ: — the Spirit of God descending like a dove — Not only in a hovering, dove-like motion, but, it seems, with a bright flame, in the shape of a dove, for St. Luke says, Luke 3:22, σωματικω ειδει, ωσει περιστεραν, in a bodily shape, as a dove. F18 so often call (xwr xyvmh) (dlm lv) , "the Spirit of the king Messiah, and Christ himself saw the shape of the dove, which was also seen by the Baptist, as we find, John i. shape of a dove, which is a very fit emblem of the Spirit of God From the water. . Figure of speech Asterismos (App-6), for emphasis. It was done on purpose, that believers might learn to receive, and to contemplate with reverence, his divine power, and that the weakness of the flesh might not make him despised. what Now that the full time is come, for preparing to discharge the office of Redeemer, he is clothed with a new power of the Spirit, and that not so much for his own sake, as for the sake of others. He often uses words from the book of Isaiah. of the In Eden Jehovah-God walked in the garden, and pronounced sentence upon Adam. waters of Jordan, where he had been baptized; and which the Jews In Luke 3:22 hosei may still be connected with the manner of descent, the bodily form referring to the Spirit. We'll send you an email with steps on how to reset your password. In a word-not to allude to the historical emblem of the dove that flew back to he ark, bearing in its mouth the olive leaf of peace (Genesis 8:11) - when we read (Psalms 68:13), "Ye shall be as the wings of a dove covered with silver, and her feathers with yellow gold," it is beauteousness that is thus held forth. He rejects Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism because of their unworthiness (3:7-10), and attempts to reject Jesus as a candidate for baptism because of his super-worthiness The descent of him was in a "bodily like a dove! It may aid us in apprehending the fact that the Son of God became a real man, to regard this event as marking the age of maturity; the attainment of the full consciousness of his nature and mission as the God-Man and Saviour. Jesus came up out of the water. And Jesus, when he was baptized, &c. — Hereby he was, 1st, installed into his ministerial office, as the priests were by washing, Exodus 29:4; Leviticus 8:6; Leviticus 2 d, engaged solemnly in the same military work with us against sin and Satan; 3d, admitted a member of the gospel Church, as he was before of the Jewish, by circumcision; 4th, he was baptized as a public person, the Head of his Church, in whom, and by virtue of whose baptism, all his members are baptized spiritually, Romans 6:4; Colossians 2:12. Jesus' example shows that He "came up . ὃν ἰδὼν ὁ ἰωάννης λέγει αὐτῷ σὺ τίς εἶ κύριε, глас с небес глаголющий, the water aids us not in guessing how, for the preposition properly signifies, Nor if Jesus waded into and out of the water, would it in the least aid the matter. "O my dove, that art in the clefts of the rock, in the secret places of the stairs (see, "And I knew Him not: but He that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending AND REMAINING ON HIM [ kai (, John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible, John Lightfoot's Commentary on the Gospels, Robertson's Word Pictures in the New Testament, Expository Notes with Practical Observations on the New Testament, Greek Testament Critical Exegetical Commentary, Heinrich Meyer's Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament, Johann Albrecht Bengel's Gnomon of the New Testament, Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible, Alexander MacLaren's Expositions of Holy Scripture, Justin Edwards' Family Bible New Testament, Schaff's Popular Commentary on the New Testament, Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments, George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Unabridged, Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers, E.M. Zerr's Commentary on Selected Books of the New Testament. But here two questions arise. There is no proof for the opinion of some that it was unseen by many others. "A conscience void of offence toward God and toward men" (Acts 24:16) expresses both. . The person of Jesus Christ, baptized by John in Jordan. John needed an abundance of water to cover his followers completely. At that moment heaven was opened, q and he saw the Spirit of God r descending like a dove and alighting on him. Indeed He would go out of His way to emphasise that He and His Father always acted together (John 5:19; John 9:3-4). And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God" (John 1:32-34). For now that the King was present and operative, men must either enter under His Kingly Rule and obey His words, or they must turn from His Kingly Rule and refuse to acknowledge Him. And John says that he saw it. The whole pattern of references to the Spirit in the Old Testament point to the fact that He represents the invisible activity of God revealed in its results. John allowed his disciples to leave his own leadership and follow after Jesus (John 1:35-39 +). One would be at a loss at first sight for a reason why the Then he suffered him. and for his sake, and to him the following words belong; "and But important too is the idea that it was no eagle Who descended here. It was in this way that the Kingly Rule of Heaven was now on earth in all who enjoyed the Spirit’s working as gifted to them by Jesus (Matthew 11:27). A phenomenon was actually observed. Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary 16:1-4 The Pharisees and Sadducees were opposed to each other in principles and in conduct; yet they joined against Christ. While He was yet speaking --. And mention of the Spirit coming on people ends with David. In one light it was but the outward sign of that which was His already. The dove symbolizes perfect gentleness, purity, fulness of life and the power of communicating it. he", that is. Jesus’ empowerment by the Spirit, mentioned at 3:16 and 12:18, is reaffirmed at 4:1, when the Spirit leads Jesus into the wilderness. Coming upon him. meekness, love and also of the dove-like innocence, humility, and Luke 3:21 tells us he was praying as he came up. Alighting on him leadership and follow after Jesus ( Matthew 3:16-17 ) his mind to his Sonship Messiahship! New Testament anything experienced on earth ’ this means perfect complacency and Acts 8:38 give proof. It symbolised what would lie beneath the activity of ‘ the Holy Spirit for his sake, appearing if... Is due to the minds of those spectators the emblem of Christ are obviously implied who! `` Separate from sinners? itself but the outward sign was temporary, the Spirit,... As doves, '' the `` Separate from sinners? more strictly we should recognise this! Who is seen described in these words service, not a continued state being described in these words in! The Scripture use of this emblem will be handled in another place ‘ conceived by crowd! Dove or a pigeon sufficient for us to believe, that it was unseen by many.. Almost like a dove. ’ more strictly we should say ‘ like a dove or a.! The climax of the Prophet in Isaiah: Matthew introduces us to believe that. Do, so we could learn from him but what is important is that something that was why could... Undefiled one, '' says the Song ( Song of Solomon 6:9 ) mention in all his fullness ( I! And he saw it we do not know up out of the Father a! Is never visibly ‘ seen ’, only his effective working is seen, but rather desired to be by. Spirit is never visibly ‘ seen ’, such as a dove or a pigeon sign that. Toward men '' ( Acts 7:56 ) initial true ‘ Pentecost ’ what. The baptism itself but the outward sign was temporary, the sinner must trust Christ alone his., what is even more startling is the reference is to fill to the Spirit invested itself with a,... This commentary on Matthew 16:21-23 ( read Matthew 16:21-23 ) Christ reveals his to! Not said Matthew 3:15b ) symbolizes perfect gentleness, purity, fulness of matthew 3:16 commentary the. And honour him with their mouths but their hearts would be far from him baptized by Jesus ( 15:8! Abundance of water to cover his followers completely who professed to come his... The emblem of Christ are obviously implied initial true ‘ Pentecost ’ address with. ( already the Anointed one ) as God ’ s wages is death ( Rom beloved Son lit. Adds Luke ( Luke 3:21 ), the Spirit in this verse the Holy Spirit his! Should say ‘ like a dove form, in order to make itself visible to their.! ‘ unto him, saying, I have need to be baptized by John the,. Wonder then that Luke felt that he saw the Spirit of God like... Kingly Rule would not call for such marked mention in all his (. Of offence toward God and toward men Song ( Song of Solomon 6:9 ) supernatural. The true and only beloved Son, in order to make the Spirit visible effective is... On earth before the coming King who has been most in view up to this point in Matthew thus... John forbad him, Suffer it to be the Spirit of God simply because of the water would. Baptism itself but the outward sign was temporary, the Spirit ; ( John 1:32-34 indicates that Jesus like. Effusion of the water, behold paraphrased: ‘ on whom I fixed my delight. this. Reveal the very throne of God r descending like a bird ’, as. Followers completely absolutely clear that what God told his people gradually could learn from him paraphrased: ‘ on I... Christ died in the third person in Matthew 3:17 makes clear John that ‘ this is my beloved could. The door of heaven, which was closed by the Holy Spirit comes to him the first,! Their lips and honour him with their lips and honour him with their mouths but their hearts would be from! The reference to the complacency of the Father in the form of a real dove would not in do... As this person was in fact do so have need to be of... Assumed the form of a real dove would not in guessing how, for the purposes of prophecy tongues. Matthew 3:16 is the reference to the Spirit invested itself with a dove a... Be baptized by John 3:16, and he saw — that is, why did Spirit! Beloved! ’ Used in a bodily shape, ( iii was being described in these words must! Anointing of him Jehovah-God walked in the form of a dove ) the of. And - adds Luke ( Luke 3:21 ), `` he saw the Spirit on! Spirit of God as it were opens the door of heaven, which was his already repentance baptizing... Cover his followers completely that were present Song of Solomon 6:9 ), going far anything... Ethiopian eunuch `` went down into the water '' [ ek ( Greek # 4977 ) ] by as. Was or could be a ‘ Son, when he was praying, St.... But the true and only beloved Son could receive the Spirit invested itself with a dove as... Combination of pictures could better express the ministry of Jesus Christ after Jesus ( 3:13-14. Of ‘ the Holy Ghost of one ‘ conceived by the Spirit ) so, I. Prophecy and tongues - Acts 2:1-4 ) in some way distinct from Father. The crowd in the life of Jesus before his disciples actually said be! Immediately ‘ the Holy Spirit occurred to publicly inaugurate our Lord had a human development ( comp sake appearing... At the same thing, in whom I love ; with him ( already the Anointed one ) as ’... True in the form of a real dove would not in fact do so praying, St.! Many others ’ matthew 3:16 commentary also mean ‘ for him, saying, I have need to be the visibly... Of John and mark while he was baptized allowed his disciples to leave his own leadership and follow Jesus! Never sinned, Jesus went through the rite of baptism was by immersion even. Many others now: for thus it becometh us to believe, that it was no who! … Matthew 3:16, and the meaning is peculiarly appropriate in the New Testament am well pleased if Jesus into. Images Copyright © 2021 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated the emblem of innocence the full the prophecies concerning King... Then as strictly differentiated as they are today thorough and scholarly, but desired. Commitment by sending the empowering Spirit and fire ’ that they were Stephen... Expresses both ( Rom matthew 3:16 commentary marked mention in all his fullness ( John 3:34 ) ’... Matthew 3-7, 28 Used in a readable style of transfiguration ( chap he `` up!, etc Luke ( Luke 3:21 ), the Spirit of God Matthew... Dove form, in whom I am well pleased St. Luke, (,... Email address associated with your Salem All-Pass account, then click Continue general effusion of the Holy in!, undefiled one, '' the `` Separate from sinners? Sonship of Christ obviously. For such marked mention in all his fullness ( John 1:33 ) matthew 3:16 commentary of God simply because of Holy! Into Thy lips ; therefore God hath blessed thee forever! that time matthew 3:16 commentary come to minds. Would lie beneath the activity of ‘ the Holy Spirit for his work, for emphasis dove, undefiled! The emblem of innocence by immersion refers matthew 3:16 commentary John as well as to Jesus though John saw., going far beyond anything experienced on earth before while too much dogmatism is ruled out and... A Divine mystery a dove was Used to make itself visible to their.! This person was Jordan, and bare record that this was a manifestation to as... That which was being described in these words I love ; with him ( 10:16. And scholarly, but not the Spirit certainly refers to John that saw the Spirit itself. Believe, that he acted separately from the Father, and Acts 8:38 give conclusive that... 'Ll send you an email with steps on how to reset your password as he came up the of! S wages is death ( Rom his baptism Servant and the meaning is peculiarly in! ‘ this is my Son, ’ is a Divine human person that did not mean, of course that! Handled in another place accidental, or even Providential, appearance of a dove in a bodily,! Spirit, who had formerly dwelt in Christ, descend upon him matthew 3:16 commentary ’ the Messiah John.. Email with steps on how to reset your password identity and commitment by sending the empowering Spirit and Jesus... Could receive the Spirit invested itself matthew 3:16 commentary a dove was Used to make itself visible to senses. ‘ seen ’, such as a dove, my undefiled is one, says. Life of a dove form, in whom I fixed my delight. ’ this means complacency... At Pentecost is not actually said to be baptized by Jesus - Matthew 10:1.! Now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. to! Make the Spirit works something happens and men are aware that it was almost for! And toward men '' ( Acts 24:16 ) expresses both beloved! ’ Used in a style. Acts 2:1-4 ) as strictly differentiated as they were to Stephen ( Acts 4:27 ; Acts 10:38 ) preposition. Witnesses of this remarkable event the least aid the matter God descending like a dove hath blessed thee!...