Why Did Jesus Undergo Baptism?

John’s baptism clearly revolved around the two related practices of repentance and confession of sins. Since that’s the case, then why did Jesus submit to baptism? Since he had no sin to confess and repent of, then why did he identify with a practice he did not need to participate in? This is a perplexing question, but Danny Akin’s volume on Mark in the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary helps show us what Jesus’ baptism is all about. Here’s what he has to say about this unique event at the beginning of Jesus’ ministry.

A Declaration of Sonship

Jesus comes to John probably in the middle or latter days of John’s ministry. He comes to be baptized, an event so significant that it is recorded in all four Gospels (cf. Matt 3:13–17; Luke 3:21–22; John 1:28–34). Mark uses the word baptize/baptism six times in the first nine verses of the book. Still, this act is surprising: Why was He baptized? Matthew tells us that John the Baptist was opposed to baptizing Christ, and he had a pretty good argument (Matt 3:14; cf. Mark 1:7). Jesus, however, says it must take place “for us to fulfill all righteousness” (Matt 3:15). But then, what does that mean?

I believe we can tease out the answer as we look at seven truths His baptism teaches us. The baptism is the beginning of His humiliation as He faithfully submits to the Father’s will and willingly identifies Himself with sinful humanity. It is no more odd for Jesus to be baptized in the Jordan River than for Him to hang on the cross at Calvary as the sinless and spotless Son of God.

Jesus’ Baptism Inaugurated His Public Ministry

Jesus came from Nazareth, a small town in the middle of nowhere. The region of Galilee was despised because of its distance from Jerusalem and for its infestation of Gentiles. The town of Nazareth was even worse—unknown and unmentioned. Jesus was a nobody from nowhere! But He comes to John and thereby begins His public ministry. He was probably in His early thirties. His public ministry would last only three years or so. The time has come for the Servant King to ascend to the public stage.

Why in the wilderness? God has often met with His people there. Recall the exodus, when God brought His children out of Egypt into the wilderness where He would give them His law, feed them, and lead them by cloud and fire. Again in Hosea 2:14–15 He promised His presence: “Therefore, I am going to persuade her, lead her to the wilderness, and speak tenderly to her. . . . There she will respond as she did in the days of her youth, as in the day she came out of the land of Egypt.”

Jesus’ Baptism Identified Him with Sinful Humanity

In His baptism Jesus joins those who seek a baptism of repentance and who are confessing their sins. Jesus neither repents of sin nor confesses His sin because He had no sin (2 Cor 5:21; Heb 4:15). Still, He aligns Himself with those He came to save. Like Moses in the first exodus (Exod 32:23), He does not set Himself apart from their sins.

Jesus’ Baptism Associated Him with John’s Ministry

Jesus does not hesitate to connect Himself to John the Baptist regarding the fulfillment of prophecy and his message of repentance (cf. 1:15!). No one had higher praise for John than Jesus. As the Christ, the Servant King, He makes His public appearance. He endorses the ministry of His cousin John (Luke 1:36).

Jesus’ Baptism Demonstrated His Approval by His Father

Immediately—an important word in Mark’s Gospel (here translated “as soon as”)—the Holy Spirit descends on Jesus through an opening in the sky. Jesus sees the heavens being “torn open.” The word occurs only one other time in Mark’s Gospel, when God the Father tears the temple curtain in two from top to bottom! At His baptism and at His crucifixion the Father intervenes supernaturally, eschatologically, declaring that Jesus is the Son of God.

Isaiah 64:1 had predicted this: “If only You would tear the heavens open and come down, so that mountains would quake at Your presence.” The tearing apart of the heavens signals a significant moment in history and in the life of the Servant King. In this way the Father first gives His approval through action.

A Revelation of the Triune God

Adrian Rogers said, “The doctrine of the Trinity is not beyond logic and reason—just above it!” And as difficult as it can be to wrap our minds around the concept of a triune God, we clearly see all three persons of the Godhead at Jesus’ baptism. The Son is baptized, the Father speaks, and the Spirit descends into (eis) Jesus “like a dove.” Like the ending of Matthew’s Gospel (28:19–20), the beginning of the Gospel of Mark gives us a brief glimpse into the nature of our God, the great Three in One. It also serves as a confirming witness concerning the identity of Jesus the Son.

Jesus’ Baptism Showed His Total Dependence on the Holy Spirit

The presence of the Spirit on the Messiah was promised in Isaiah 42:1. “This is My Servant; I strengthen Him, this is My Chosen One; I delight in Him. I have put My Spirit on Him; He will bring justice to the nations.” The prophet elaborates on this promise in Isaiah 11:2: “The Spirit of the LORD will rest on Him—a Spirit of wisdom and understanding, a Spirit of counsel and strength, a Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD.”

Jesus is the fulfillment of these promises. Like a dove (it was not literally a dove), in gentleness and purity, the Spirit came into Jesus, and He was equipped for His ministry. Even though the Spirit came into Jesus (Gk eis), this is no “adoptionistic” Christology. He did not become the Son of God at the moment of His baptism. No, He was declared to be and empowered as the Son of God for the Suffering Servant ministry. John Piper says,

When Jesus was baptized along with all the repenting people who wanted to be on God’s side, it was as though the commander-in-chief had come to the front lines, fastened his bayonet, strapped on his helmet, and jumped into the trench along with the rest of us. And when he did that, his Father in heaven, who had sent him for this very combat, signified with the appearance of a dove that the Holy Spirit would be with him in the battles to come.

Christ in Combat

Jesus’ Baptism Declared the Type of Messiah He Would Be

Mark 1:11 is surely one of the most important verses in the Bible! It is echoed again at the transfiguration in 9:7, along with the admonition for the disciples to “listen to Him.”

The verse is a combination of three massively significant Old Testament texts. The phrase, “You are My Son” comes from Psalm 2:7, and in quoting this Davidic psalm, the Father announces, “You are the Messiah-King, the greater Son of David who will rule the nations.” In calling Christ “beloved,” we are reminded of the way Abraham saw Isaac, the son he was called to sacrifice (Gen 22:2). It bears the weight of Christ being the “One and Only” Son of the Most High God. The third phrase, “I take delight in You,” comes from Isaiah 42:1, which is the first of Isaiah’s Suffering Servant songs. These passages climax in the great Isaiah 53 text where the Servant is crushed by God as He bears the sins of the world!

This declaration of the Father’s love for His Son cannot be overstated and must not be overlooked. No prophet ever heard words like these! Abraham was a friend (Isa 41:8). Moses was a servant (Deut 34:5). Aaron was a chosen one (Ps 105:26). David was a man after God’s own heart (1 Sam 13:4). But only Israel (Exod 4:23) and the king of Israel (as their representative; Ps 2:7) were called God’s sons. Now they are united in the person of the Servant King, Jesus of Nazareth! James Edwards says, “Jesus is Israel reduced to one.” As the Messiah and Son of God, Jesus is a second Adam, a new Israel, and a perfect King who will succeed where they each failed!

The Eternal Son

That we must accept “Son of God” as a declaration of deity is easily demonstrated by the actions of this Son: He forgives sins (2:5), heals the sick (1:40), casts out demons (1:24; 5:1–20), is Lord of the Sabbath (2:28), raises the dead (6:35–43), and ultimately rises from the dead Himself (16:1–8). This declaration coupled with Jesus’ life, ministry, miracles, and resurrection make His deity undeniable.

So the Father has attested, “You are the promised Messiah-King—My Son and My delight. But You will realize Your kingdom by being a faithful Servant to Your Father even to the point of a crushing, painful, and humiliating death.” Would Jesus accept such an assignment? In light of this lingering question, it is no coincidence that “immediately” Satan came to tempt Him, trying to divert the Savior from His mission.

Keep Reading the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary

As you can see, the volumes in the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary contain rich and digestible expositions of the biblical text. These are perfect for reading for small group study, personal devotion, and sermon preparation. Pick up the set today and start learning more about Christ!