Baptized in Jordan

The words

1. Baptized

   Matthew brings Jesus from Galilee to John at the Jordan; after John’s objection and Jesus’s reply, John consents and Jesus comes up from the water.

   Matthew 3:13–16 (opens a new tab)

2. Becometh

   In Matthew, Jesus answers John’s objection by saying that fulfilling all righteousness is fitting for them; John then allows the baptism to proceed.

   Matthew 3:14–15 (opens a new tab)

3. Beloved Son

   Matthew gives the heavenly voice’s words as “This is my beloved Son”; Luke gives them as “Thou art my beloved Son,” addressing Jesus directly.

   Did you know?

   Matthew later repeats “my beloved Son” in a mountain scene with Peter, James and John; there the voice comes from a cloud and adds “hear ye him.”

   Matthew 3:17 (opens a new tab) · Luke 3:22 (opens a new tab) · Matthew 17:1–5 (opens a new tab)

4. Descending

   Matthew describes the Spirit descending like a dove upon Jesus; in John’s Gospel, John the Baptist reports seeing the descent and the Spirit remaining on Jesus.

   Matthew 3:16 (opens a new tab) · John 1:32 (opens a new tab)

5. Dove

   Matthew describes the Spirit descending like a dove; Luke uses the fuller phrase “in a bodily shape like a dove” as the Spirit comes upon Jesus.

   Matthew 3:16 (opens a new tab) · Luke 3:22 (opens a new tab)

6. Forbad

   Matthew records John’s initial objection: he says he needs to be baptized by Jesus. Jesus replies about fulfilling all righteousness, and John then consents.

   Matthew 3:14–15 (opens a new tab)

7. Heavens

   Matthew describes the heavens opening as Jesus comes up from the water; Luke includes Jesus praying when the heaven opens, before the Spirit descends.

   Matthew 3:16 (opens a new tab) · Luke 3:21–22 (opens a new tab)

8. Jordan

   Matthew names the Jordan as the place where Jesus comes to John for baptism, after traveling from Galilee; John initially objects before allowing it.

   Did you know?

   Joshua 3 also places a major scene at the Jordan: Israel crosses on dry ground while the priests carrying the ark stand in the river’s midst.

   Matthew 3:13–15 (opens a new tab) · Joshua 3:14–17 (opens a new tab)

9. Lamb of God

   In John’s Gospel, John the Baptist sees Jesus approaching and calls him the Lamb of God, saying that he takes away the sin of the world.

   Did you know?

   The next day in John’s account, the Baptist repeats “Lamb of God” while standing with two disciples; they hear his words and follow Jesus.

   John 1:29 (opens a new tab) · John 1:35–37 (opens a new tab)

10. Lighting

    Matthew describes the Spirit of God descending like a dove and “lighting upon” Jesus, immediately after Jesus comes up from the water.

    Matthew 3:16 (opens a new tab)

11. Manifest

    Made known.

    In John’s Gospel, John the Baptist explains his water baptism as serving to make Jesus known to Israel; this follows his declaration about the Lamb of God.

    John 1:29–31 (opens a new tab) · NET Bible: John 1:29-34 (opens a new tab)

12. Record

    In John’s Gospel, John the Baptist bears record of seeing the Spirit descend like a dove from heaven and remain on Jesus.

    John 1:32 (opens a new tab)

13. Sin of the World

    In John’s Gospel, John the Baptist declares that the Lamb of God takes away the sin of the world as Jesus comes toward him.

    John 1:29 (opens a new tab)

14. Spirit of God

    Matthew uses “Spirit of God” for the Spirit descending like a dove upon Jesus; Luke describes the descent with the KJV’s wording “Holy Ghost.”

    Matthew 3:16 (opens a new tab) · Luke 3:22 (opens a new tab)

15. Well Pleased

    Matthew and Luke both include “well pleased” in the heavenly voice’s declaration about Jesus, joining the words with the designation “my beloved Son.”

    Matthew 3:17 (opens a new tab) · Luke 3:22 (opens a new tab)