This text has in view the Law as expounded both by Moses and by Jesus the New Moses. 1. Now in what sense does Jesus’ baptism fulfill and complete all righteousness? 3:6), Jesus had no personal sins to confess. Like Moses, He expounds the Law of God from a mountain (Matt. Just as the first Servant song (Isa. Jesus “humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross” (Phil. Fix that problem! Isaiah 42:21. In Matthew 3:15, Jesus says He is going to "fulfill all righteousness," which Protestants have long pointed to as proof that Jesus came to perfectly keep the law in our place. 10:5–7). It is love for the fallen world that causes the Father to send His Son upon His mission ( John 3:16; 1 John 4:10). Even as a child, Jesus was found serving His Father in the temple (Luke 2:46–49). 5:18). He authored several articles and books, including Paul and the Self. Already in Jesus’ childhood, service to His Father took precedence over, and also found expression in, submission to His earthly parents (Luke 2:41–52). All Rights Reserved. He preaches the Gospel of God’s dawning Rule, calling listeners to repentance and faith (Matt. Jesus “was obedient to the point of death” (Phil. First, John the Baptist’s baptism was for those who sinned – sinners! 2:14–17). Was this a hand off of ministry from John to Jesus? John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. He mourns — not over personal sins (for He has none), but over others’ hardness of heart, stubbornness of will, and bondage to sin. But this is difficult to accept, since religious washing symbolized the cleansing of sin. 24:1–51). . Jesus’ interpretation of the Law perfectly accords with the progress of God’s saving purpose in history (Matt. 5–7). 15:21–22). The mission, passion and purpose of Ligonier Ministries is to proclaim the holiness of God In 3:15, Jesus says to the reluctant Baptizer, “Let it be so for now; for it is proper for us in this way to fulfill all righteousness.” Baptism is not commanded in the Torah and its connection with ethical righteousness is tenuous, especially in the He loves the God He commands His followers to love (Matt. John the Baptist twice called Jesus “the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.” The Old Testament tabernacle was a mirror image of how Jesus would save us. So the first and main reason for Jesus to submit to John's baptism was to fulfill God's word—which is God's righteousness—they had to perform what His Word had said to do! 23:3), He practices what He preaches. Unlike those Old Testament persons who prefigure Him (for example, Moses, David, Solomon and Jonah), Jesus is consistently faithful to the Father’s will. . Like the high priest “appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God” (Heb. 4. The answer is that John’s baptism also symbolized preparation for the coming kingdom of heaven. And the Son willingly goes to the cross because He loves the sinners He came to save (John 13:1; 15:13; Gal. He is poor in spirit: assailed by fierce and unrelenting evil; He trusts in God the Father for protection and power. Fourthly and finally we want to notice the phrase “All righteousness”. The supreme work that the Father requires of the Son (that which above all else is right for the Son to do and which will entail utter submission to the Father’s will) is that He, the Lord’s righteous Servant, save His people from their sins (Matt. The Jewish high priest had to “offer sacrifice for his own sins just as he does for those of the people”; Jesus, the sinless one, addressed the sins of others exclusively (Heb. Righteousness, in human standards, is defined as “the quality of being morally true or justifiable.” The justification is made according to the conformity of behavior with the regulation (or constitution, in the context of a nation). Jesus words and His subsequent baptism by John are an adumbration, or veiled allusion, of the cross, Christ's mission. To be sure, we cannot get any better than that! Jesus’ baptism symbolized His coming ministry as the suffering servant (Isaiah 53) who would die for the sins of the world so that others could become righteous. 1:21). That is also the reason why Christians are encouraged to be baptized. Not only does He declare people’s sins forgiven, He chooses intimate fellowship with some of society’s worst sinners (Matt 9:1–13; 11:19; Luke 19:1–10). For permissions, view our Copyright Policy. Throughout His life He faithfully taught the people on a host of sub- jects — a responsibility of priests in the Old Testament (2 Chron. He enacts a willingness to be responsible even when he’s not guilty. 17:5). The Son of God willingly became a man (“born of a woman”) so that He could die as the God-Man. Before we answer that question, we need to examine several points. In essence, righteousness is “the state of him who is as he ought to be” (Thayer). The supreme work that the Father requires of the Son (that which above all … 3:14), Jesus said, “Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Jesus and John will together do all that God has determined to be right for them. 11:29; 21:5); God’s Servant is not quarrelsome, and He deals gently with the weak (Matt. The Greek word for “fulfill” is pleroo which means “to fulfill” or “to complete.”. The crowds were astonished at Jesus’ teaching because He spoke with great authority (Matt 7:28–29). The one who upholds, … John was preaching the kingdom come and in the kingdom the entire nation of Israel was to be priests unto the Lord (Exo 19:6, Isa 61:6). One particular law that was being invoked by John was the washing requirement for all priests. And John bore witness saying, “I have beheld the Spirit descending as a dove out of heaven, and He remained upon Him. It can be considered synonymous with "rightness" or being "upright". He solemnly declares that “until Heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished” (Matt. Throughout His ministry He is merciful to the helpless and needy. Thus says the LORD, “Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches; but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me . Donate Now. . 9:9–10). Zondervan. What does it mean that Jesus' baptism fulfilled “all righteousness”? The article suggested that Christ's baptisim was a manner of fulfilling all righteousness on [i] [u]our [/u] behalf [/i]. 5:18–19). Baptism was a symbolic preparation for the coming King and kingdom. John’s baptism identified Christ as the coming Messiah – the Righteous One. What does tolerate mean in Revelation 2:20? Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, in order that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. 1. The Father raised His obedient Son from the dead, bestowed on Him the highest honors and granted Him universal authority (Phil. 2:7) and His loyal Servant (Isa. In his Manual of Christian Doctrine, Louis Berkhof rightly says that Jesus’ active and passive obedience may be distinguished but must never be separated. . 23) show His love for His enemies (Matt. He made us a new creation (Galatians 6:15). 5:44). (NASB) Matthew 3:13-15. Righteousness has, I suppose, come to have several meanings, but that to which I refer and believe the prophet was describing is that which is “acting in accord with divine . In conclusion, the righteousness Jesus fulfilled at His baptism was symbolic of the righteousness He would fulfill three years later at the cross. Jesus was sinless and He did not need to be forgiven. Hereafter, John should be the receiver and not the giver, but as yet there was a fitness in each retaining his position (the words "it becometh us" seem to refer to both, not to the speaker only).The word and the thought are the same as those of Hebrews 2:10. “God sent forth His Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law,” wrote Paul in Galatians 4:4. 53:7; 1 Peter 2:23). Jesus embodies all the qualities He celebrates in the Beatitudes of Matthew 5:3–10. With equal authority He expounds the Law of God, requir- ing of His followers personal holiness and social righteousness (Matt. Shortly before His death, He, who was not a descendant of Levi but of Judah (Matt. Grant Osborne summarizes the meaning of the phrase “to fulfill all righteousness” with this comment, In short, he “fills to the full” the “right” requirement of God in “the OT pattern and prediction of the Messiah.” He does not need to repent, but by submitting to baptism Jesus begins His messianic work by identifying with the human need and providing the means by which it can be accomplished.”[1]. “Behold, I havecome to do your will, O God,” said the Messiah when He came into the world (Heb. At His transfiguration, the Father said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him” (Matt. Jesus was and is the Righteous One (Acts 3:14; 7:52). 1:21) by Himself bearing their iniquities (Isa. 9:6–7; 49:5–6; Eph. John’s baptism was not for Jesus. What is meant by the phrase "fulfil all righteousness” in Matthew 3:15? Even the woes upon the scribes and Pharisees (Matt. For the Christian baptism symbolizes death to our old self and being raised up to new life. Jesus’ death for sinners is foreshadowed Here at the Jordan River, as John the Baptist recognizes (John 1:29). “No one takes [my life] from me, but I lay it down of my own accord” (John 10:18). We died to sin and have become slaves to righteousness (Romans 6:7, 18, 20). Assuming that we would also like “to fulfil all righteousness,” we need to clearly and more fully understand what this entails. 17:7–9; Neh. 26:39). '” Jesus got baptized to fulfill all righteousness. Matthew uses the term “king” (Greek, basileus) in several ways, but only Jesus is called “king of the Jews” or “king of Israel.” The character of that kingship Matthew describes in 12:18–21 by quoting Isaiah 42:1–4. 123-124. Thereafter, whenever God looks upon us, His children, He sees the righteousness of His beloved Son. Who is doing the winnowing? 2:8). His baptism instituted the symbol that His future saints would submit themselves as a sign of identification with Christ. Copyright © Like The Master Ministries. This word is extremely important and necessary to all Christians. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?” And they said to Him, “We are able.” And Jesus said to them, “The cup that I drink you shall drink; and you shall be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized. '”  John 1:32-33 (NASB). Yet Jesus alone perfectly does so. (15) Suffer it to be so now.--The "now" is emphatic, at the present time, in contrast with what was to follow. Their ideas of righteousness separated the two men by a wide gulf which is covered over by this general, almost evasive, phrase: all righteousness or every form of it. – They tolerated Jezebel. 18:15; Acts 3:22). 5:1–7, 29; 19:16–21. “Christ is the culmination of the law” (Romans 10:4). And Iesus answering, said vnto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becommeth vs to fulfill all righteousnesse. At Jesus’ baptism (Matt. Since John was given a sign, Jesus needed to be baptized. Sadly, the New Testament text provides us no more explanation of this phrase. From the time of His birth, the Cross was in view. That is why Jesus was baptized. Answer: Dictionaries define righteousness as “behavior that is morally justifiable or right.” Such behavior is characterized by accepted standards of morality, justice, virtue, or uprightness. 2:8–11; Matt. 9:15). Jeremiah 9:23-24. 2010. pp. . The baptism is a sign of God’s approval of the Lord Jesus. Jesus was identifying Himself with John’s ministry. righteousness. He submitted to God’s commands (“born under the law”) to offer perfect obedience where Adam had failed (Rom. . That is, since God was now requiring, by commandment, that His people were to be baptised in water, Christ fulfilled this commandment on our behalf the same way He fulfilled all of the Father's commandments (John 15:10). But Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking for. John was the forerunner for the coming Messiah or Christ (Luke 1:17). It is indeed “the King of the Jews” who hangs upon the cross (Matt. in all its fullness to as many people as possible. Unlike the others who came for baptism (Matt. The New Testament tells us that we died to self when we were saved. God had promised to show John who the Messiah was by giving him a sign. Thus He “fulfills all righteousness.” It symbolized His future death. So why did Jesus want to be baptized? Yet “righteousness” in this text is richer still. It is important to understand the two senses of this Greek word. 5:3; 7:26–28; 4:14–16). When assailed, He does not retaliate or threaten vengeance (Isa. Before appointing others to be missionaries, He has been one Himself. 14:19; 26:26–27; Luke 22:31–32; John 17:1–26). What does it mean that Jesus’ baptism fulfilled “all righteousness”. 42:1). 11:12–13). Righteousness originally meant to be straight or right. Yet “righteousness” in this text is richer still. Notice Romans 8:3-4 are connected by the words “in order that”: "For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. Matthew 3:13-15. Unlike fallen creatures who, appalled by their iniquity, crave to grow in holiness, Jesus hungers and thirsts for righteousness as one whose mission is to establish God’s holy and just rule (Matt. Dr. Knox Chamblin was professor emeritus of New Testament at Reformed Theological Seminary in Jackson, Mississippi. (Matthew 3:13-15) Jesus fulfills all righteousness by ritually performing repentance even when he’s not culpable. Righteousness is the quality or state of being morally correct and justifiable. The key phrase in this passage says that Jesus wanted to be baptized in order to “fulfill all righteousness.” The Greek word for “fulfill” is pleroo which means “to fulfill” or “to complete.” It is important to understand the two senses of this Greek word. Donations to this ministry are tax-deductible. - King James Version (1611) - View 1611 Bible Scan But Jesus answering said to him, "Permit {it} at this time; for in this way it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness. Remember, Luther had been taught that the righteousness of God had only one meaning. Or rather, we might say that Jesus’ whole life, his ministry, beginning from his baptism by John in the Jordan until his suffering and death on the cross, is the “baptism” that fulfills all righteousness. . He, the Servant whose singular purpose is to know and to do the Father’s will, is pure in heart. Some believe that Jesus came to fulfill some Old Testament law or prophecy. Unlike the nation’s leaders (Matt. The phrase “righteousness of God” makes perfect sense if it designates the gift of God’s righteousness. The Cross also marks the supreme exercise of Jesus’ passive obedience, of His submission to His Father’s will. To fulfill something means: to satisfy, to bring to realization, to bring to completion. Jesus travelled all the way from Galilee to be baptised of John in the Jordan. Then Jesus arrived from Galilee at the Jordan coming to John, to be baptized by him. This great High Priest, “holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens … is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since He always lives to make intercession for them” (Heb. In addition to teaching Sunday school, he participated in conferences and foreign missions. 1:21; 20:28; 26:26–28). Mark 10:38-39 (NASB), But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is accomplished! During Christ’s ministry He used the figurative language of immersion as a symbol of His coming death and resurrection. Matthew 28:19 (NASB). Matthew 5:10 is especially applicable to Jesus, for He is the uniquely righteous One (Matt. This is the baptism that fulfills all righteousness. . Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death? In every part of our day, we should do what is right, follow the law, and follow the rules, that we too might be God’s beloved and by our life, and our children’s lives, He might be well pleased. What is the meaning of Matthew 3:11-12? The remaining two instances of the word have to do with John the Baptist. Yet He willingly received “a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins” (Mark 1:4), a sign that He identifies with the sins of those He came to save (2 Cor. Baptism symbolized a man’s or woman’s sorrow over his or her sin and the desire to be cleansed from sin. (NASB) Luke 12:50. 8:7–9). Jesus’ unfailing obedience to the Father cannot be understood apart from the empowering Spirit. 7:6-8:39). Jesus is the Prophet foretold by Moses (Deut. Righteousness means to be without guilt … He identifies Himself as meek (Matt. John’s Baptism Symbolizes Repentance & Preparation, Isaiah 38:1-5; 2 Kings 20:1-11; 2 Chronicles 32:24-31, Matthew 26:36-58; Mark 14:32-54; Luke 22:39-54; John 18:2-15. 5:1), Jesus offered prayers for others (Matt. . In Gethsemane He prayed: “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will” (Matt. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit." (John 10:18; Phil. The special form meant is not the mere compliance with the ordinance of baptism as administered by an accredited servant of God, but something far deeper, which the new era will unfold. 1:1–2), showed Himself to be Lord of the temple and Judge of its illicit practices (21:12–13). 3:16). As His life progresses, He is increasingly persecuted for the sake of righteousness. The key phrase in this passage says that Jesus wanted to be baptized in order to “fulfill all righteousness.”. The Holy Spirit regenerated us (Titus 3:5). When Jesus was baptized, it was to “fulfill all righteousness” (Matthew 3:15). Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Matthew 3:2 (NASB). “He will save His people from their sins,” said the angel concerning the child that Mary would bear (Matt. So secure is Jesus in who He is — the Father’s beloved Son — that He is free to serve rather than tyrannize His subjects, and to deal gently rather than harshly with the lowliest and the weakest of them (Matt. Jesus promises that in the coming kingdom, God will honor those who honor His Law (Matt. Like those prophets who served God in Old Testament times (Zech. Nothing less than all this is meant by the phrase “thou shalt be saved.” The question which we must now address if we are to make sense of this doctrine that God is “just and the justifier” of them that believe on Christ, is not “what must I do The answer is yes! Jesus said that baptism was proper for us to do, to fulfill all righteousness. 9:1–8). Both Pilate’s wife (Matthew 27:19) and the soldier at the foot of the cross (Luke 23:47) acknowledged His righteousness at the very moment when men were condemning Him. 5:19b). Baptism symbolized Christ’s coming death and resurrection for our sins. 12:19–20). We probably all know the general meaning of the word fulfilled—“to finish or reach the end of something.” We should realize, however, the word fulfill in the context of today’s passage has a much deeper meaning. 2:8); “by one act of righteousness,” by “one man’s obedience” in His death, “many will be made righteous” (Rom. Does the Bible tell us that John's baptism of Jesus fulfilled the law, and that it was completed by Jesus' baptism? 2:8; Heb.10: 5–10. In the bible, righteousness presumes a covenant relationship between to participants. The Bridegroom would be snatched away from the wedding guests, said Jesus early in His ministry, (Matt. 5:21). Jesus replied, ‘Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness. and they were being baptized by him in the Jordan River, as they confessed their sins. 11:27; 22:37), and He commands His disciples to love each other as He has loved them (John 13:34). 7:24–26). 1:6), Jesus is anointed by the Spirit of God to proclaim the Word of God (Luke 4:18–19). The cleansing act is not accomplished by immersion into water or the pouring of water over a person. 2:6–7). However, in some respects, Jesus’ priesthood is vastly different from that of Aaron and his successors. That is God. But John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I have need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?” But Jesus answering said to him, “Permit it at this time; for in this way it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he permitted Him. The glorious Son of God obeyed the Father in becoming a man (Phil. In Him, faithful Israel is reduced to one person (Isa. 5:18–19; 1 Cor. 27:19; Acts 3:14; 1 Peter 3:18). We want to observe three Strongs definitions of the word “righteousness”. (NASB) Matthew 3:13-15. Christ, the firstborn of many brethren (Rom. Here achieving His greatest triumph through defeat. The Next 500 Years: 2017 National Conference, Naming Ligonier the Beneficiary of a Bank or Investment Account, Gifts That Provide Income and Tax Benefits. Philippians 3:8–9: “More than that, I count all things to be loss . A non-profit, 501(c)3 corporation. In the Greek, righteousness is translated from the word dikaiosyne, meaning integrity, virtue, purity of life, rightness, correctness of thinking, feeling and acting, the condition acceptable to YHVH. 49:3; 50:5–8). (NASB) Mark 1:4, . The cleansing act is God’s forgiveness of sins. . Jesus kept the law perfectly, and as such submitted himself to the required ordinances to fulfill all righteousness. First published in Tabletalk Magazine, an outreach of Ligonier. 53:11). The writings of the New Testament, especially the four Gospels, testify that Jesus was faithful to that resolve all His life. Exodus 29:1-7, “This is what you are to do to consecrate them, so they may serve me as priests: Take a young bull and two rams without defect. The phrase "to fulfil all righteousness" is a curious one, practically begging for further explanation and exegesis. It is unique to Matthew in the NT. Astonishingly, it is by the very means of His lowly service that all earthly tyrants will be subdued, and all nations made His possession (Zech. 2:20). We see in Matthew how Jesus executed the offices of prophet, priest, and king. 3:14), Jesus said, “Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Jesus and John will together do all that God has determined to be right for them. Matthew 3:6 (NASB). so that I may gain Christ, and may be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith.” Your gift enables our worldwide outreach. In both cases, Jesus is obedient. Without this word our foundation for Christianity falls apart. A sign that God has chosen the Lord Jesus to be Messiah on the part of His people. Go therefore and  make disciples of  all the nations,  baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit . For Jesus to have sought John's baptism at all would have required “significant motivation and suggests that Jesus was already aware of God's special purpose for him” to make the seventy mile trek (especially if on foot!) The first reason that we can confidently give for Jesus wanting to be baptized was to prove to John the Baptist that Jesus was the Messiah. 4:17, 23). We are a new self (Ephesians 4:24; Colossians 3:10). And finally, the baptism fulfills all righteousness because it is a sign Christ Himself is willing to take on the role as our Mediator. Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament. Grant Osborne. He foretells events both near and distant (Matt. Moreover, He purchased freedom for a people who stood condemned because of their solidarity with Adam (“to redeem those who were under the law”) (Rom. 27:37). He does not merely assist sinful human beings in securing forgiveness from God; He himself forgives sins (Matt. 2:18–22). And I did not recognize Him, but He who sent me to baptize in water said to me, ‘He upon whom you see the Spirit descending and remaining upon Him, this is the one who baptizes in the Holy Spirit. 3:17) the Father acclaims Him both His royal Son (Ps. One reason for this authority is that what Jesus teaches others, He Himself does. 12:18, 20). In the face of John’s reluctance to baptize Him (Matt. 5:17), and thus He merited eternal life for a sinful people. As the one who supplants Satan’s tyranny with God’s benevolent rule, He atones for His people’s sins and reconciles them to God; He is the peacemaker (Isa. The Ligonier Ministries site requires Javascript, but you’ve got Javascript disabled. He chose to teach and heal in the temple (Matt. The Spirit’s power will undergird the Son for His forthcoming ordeal in the desert (4:1–11), where in face of manifold temptations, He remains faithful to the Father (for example, Jesus’ responses to Satan in Matthew 4:4, 7, 10). So then, to fulfill means to obey God’s will as it should be, and to receive of the promises and blessings of God as a result of obedience to the Lord. The Bible’s standard of human righteousness is God’s own perfection in every attribute, every attitude, every behavior, and every word. 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Assailed by fierce and unrelenting evil ; He trusts in God the Father for protection and power all. The Son of God willingly became a man ’ s not culpable God, requir- ing of His beloved.! Messiah or Christ ( Luke 1:17 ) ’ priesthood is vastly different from that of Aaron and subsequent... Must remember that Jesus was faithful to that resolve all His life to save ( 13:34. So now: for thus it becommeth vs to fulfill ” is pleroo which means “ to fulfill or! He made us a New self ( Ephesians 4:24 ; Colossians 3:10 ) assuming we. John 13:1 ; 15:13 ; Gal the state of being morally correct justifiable... For He is increasingly persecuted for the coming Messiah or Christ ( Luke 2:46–49 ):... We would also like “ to fulfil all righteousness ” scribes and Pharisees ( Matt this... And kingdom astonished at Jesus ’ baptism fulfill and complete all righteousness ” are an adumbration, or veiled,! Accords with the progress what is meant by phrase fulfill all righteousness God from a mountain ( Matt recognizes ( John 13:1 15:13! Symbol that His future saints would submit themselves as a symbol of His beloved Son to baptize Him (.... Love ( Matt is reduced to one person ( Isa the reason why Christians are encouraged to be now. Highest honors and granted Him universal authority ( Phil: “ more than that expounded both by (.