Matthew 3:13 17
Target year level: Year 4
Scripture text
Matthew 3:13-17
The Baptism of Jesus
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. 16And 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.”
New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition
World behind the text
Scripture scholars agree that Matthew's gospel was written second. It uses Marks gospel as a source and expands on it.
The gospel of Matthew is the most Jewish of the gospels and he is very keen to show Jesus as fulfilling the promises of the Old Testament. Even in this very short narrative Jesus claims to 'fulfill all righteousness'.
See RESource for more background information for the Gospel of Matthew.
World of the text
A close reading of the Baptism of Jesus, in both the gospels of Mark and Matthew will show evidence of how Matthew expanded on the material in the gospel of Mark.
It is inferred that the voice from heaven is from God the Father since he calls Jesus 'my Son'. The Spirit of God is like a dove.
A dove is a familiar species of pigeon that was domesticated from early times and was known as being gentle and faithful to its mate. It is an image of the Spirit of God in Jewish Writings.
World in front of the text
Imagery from this text is often used in Christian art that depicts the Trinity and the relationship between God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.