Category:Baptism of Jesus (subject)

Baptism of Christ (1475 Verrocchio / Leonardo), art

Baptism of Christ (1905 Tiffany), art

The Baptism of Jesus refers to an event in the lives of Jesus of Nazareth and John the Baptist. The episode is narrated in the Synoptic Gospels (Mark 1:9-11; Matthew 3:13-17; Luke 3:21-22; cf. John 1:29-34), as well as in the Gospel of the Hebrews.

< Life of John the Baptist : Annunciation to Zacharias -- Visitation of Mary -- Birth of John the Baptist -- Child John the Baptist with Jesus -- Young John the Baptist in the Desert -- Preaching of John the Baptist -- Baptism of Jesus -- Question about Fasting -- Messengers from John the Baptist -- Death of John the Baptist -- Question about Authority -- Relics of John the Baptist >

Overview

Christian tradition shows growing embarrassment in relating the Baptism of Jesus. In the Gospels of Mark and Luke, the event is presented as a private mystical experience; the voice from heaven is heard by Jesus only and there is no interaction between Jesus and John the Baptist. In the Gospel of Matthew, John the Baptist protests, claiming that he is the one who needs to be baptized, not Jesus. In the Gospel of John the narrative of the baptism disappears and John the Baptist stands not as the one who performed the ritual but as the witness of the mystical experience of Jesus. In the Gospel of the Hebrews Jesus was baptized but did it only at the invitation of his family, not without remarking that he did not need it.

The growing embarrassment that Christian tradition shows in relating the Baptism of Jesus, makes it one of the most likely events in the life of Jesus of Nazareth.

Baptism of Jesus, in ancient sources

Gospel of Mark

Preaching of John the Baptist -> Baptism of Jesus -> Temptation of Jesus -> Beginning of Galilean Ministry -> Call of the First Disciples ->...

Mk 1:9-11 (NRSV) -- [9] In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. [10] And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. [11] And a voice came from heaven, "You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased."

Gospel of Matthew

... -> Massacre of the Innocents -> Flight into Egypt -> Preaching of John the Baptist -> Baptism of Jesus -> Temptation of Jesus -> Beginning of Galilean Ministry -> Call of the First Disciples -> ...

Mt 3:13-17 (NRSV) -- [13] Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. 14 John would have prevented him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?" [15] But Jesus answered him, "Let it be so now; for it is proper for us in this way to fulfill all righteousness." Then he consented. [16] And when Jesus had been baptized, just as he came up from the water, suddenly the heavens were opened to him and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. [17] And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased."

Gospel of Luke

Lk 3:21-22 (NRSV) -- [21] Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heaven was opened, [22] and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, "You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased."

Gospel of John

Jn 1:6-8.15.29-36 (NRSV) -- [6] There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. [7] He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. [8] He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light... [15] John testified to him and cried out, "This was he of whom I said, 'He who comes after me ranks ahead of me because he was before me'... [29] The next day he [i.e. John the Baptist] saw Jesus coming toward him and declared, "Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! [30] This is he of whom I said, 'After me comes a man who ranks ahead of me because he was before me.' [31] I myself did not know him; but I came baptizing with water for this reason, that he might be revealed to Israel." [32] And John testified, "I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. [33] I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water said to me, 'He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.' [34] And I myself have seen and have testified that this is the Son of God." [35] The next day John again was standing with two of his disciples, [36] and as he watched Jesus walk by, he exclaimed, "Look, here is the Lamb of God!"...

Gospel of the Hebrews

As quoted in Jerome, Against Pelagius III.2 -- The mother of the Lord and his brothers said to him, "John the Baptist baptizes for the forgiveness of sins; let us go and be baptized by him." But he said to them, "In what way have I sinned that I should go and be baptized by him? Unless, perhaps, what I have just said is a sin of ignorance."