Category:Baptism of Jesus (subject)

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The Baptism of Jesus refers to an episode 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.

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.

In Depth

• Baptism of Jesus (sources) -- survey of ancient sources

• Baptism of Jesus (arts) -- survey of fictional works

External links

• Wikipedia