Mat 3:13-17; 15 But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now …”

Command: 

Mat 3:15  But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now; for thus it is fitting for us to fulfil all righteousness.”

Context:

13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, 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 thus it is fitting for us to fulfil all righteousness.” Then he consented. 16 And when Jesus was baptized, he went up immediately from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and alighting on him; 17 and lo [behold], a voice from heaven, saying, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”

GREEK VERBS: 

Mat 3:15 But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now; for thus it is fitting for us to fulfil all righteousness.”  
V-AMA-2S = Verb – Tense: Aorist/Mood: Imperative/Voice: Active – Person: 2nd Person Singular
 863 [e]  Aphes  Ἄφες  Permit [it]  V-AMA-2S
 
Mat 3:15  But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now; for thus it is fitting for us to fulfil all righteousness.” Then he consented.

Reflection:

The point is to follow the plan. This is not about who is greater.  Baptism is not about submission to John or who is superior. It is a part of the plan that Jesus is to follow, as Jesus understands it.

It is connectional. Jesus connects himself with the Ministry of John. He is not independent and without any connection to others, doing his own thing and expressing his individuality. He partners with others, including John.

John represents the tradition of the Hebrew religion. While Jesus is going to do something new, something innovative, he does so as one who is connected to the tradition. He is not a rebel, he is an innovator. Jesus builds something new on the foundation of those who have gone before.

Jesus has worked out the plan in advance. He understands what he has to do from God. God is well pleased with his following the plan.

 
 
 
Questions
What is the meaning of “fulfill all righteousness”?
 
REFLECTION
1. Do God’s will even when it doesn’t make sense to you  … obedience leads to an example of the Trinity.
2. Holy Spirit descending  … so is this a model for us? As the Spirit descends today? Is Jesus the first Christian?
 

 Mat 3:14  John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?”
(Logical, worldly “banana brain” thinking … evaluation of good and evil.)

 

Mat 3:15  But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now; for thus it is fitting for us to fulfil all righteousness.” Then he consented.

(Simple obedience trumps logic.)
S.O.W. QUESTIONS
S. What does it say?
O. What does it say that I need to obey?
W. Who needs to hear this? Generally? Specifically?
S. While the result of baptism is the washing of what we have sinned, the purpose of baptism is obedience. Submitting to God’s will.
O. No command except for the example. Do God’s will even when it doesn’t make sense to you  … obedience leads to an example of the Trinity.
W. People who delay baptism, such as the Emperor Constantine.

S.O.W. QUESTIONS
S. What does it say?
O. What does it say that I need to obey?
W. Who needs to hear this? Generally? Specifically?

Mat 03:8  Bear fruit that befits repentance, 9  and do not presume to say to yourselves …

S. John says that Jesus is going to raise the bar on repentance. His standards are even higher.
O. Get ready.

W. Those who think they need no repentance because they are better than other people, in their opinion.

How did Jesus fulfill this?

RESOURCES

S.O.W. QUESTIONS
S. What does it say?
O. What does it say that I need to obey?
W. Who needs to hear this? Generally? Specifically?
.
DISCERNMENT QUESTIONS
What gets your attention?
What human needs or problems relate to the text?
What is it like to have that problem?
What other resources connect to this idea?
What is the solution suggested in the text, if there is one?
What would a camera see if the solution was implemented in my life, in my family’s life, or in my church or community?
What are the steps that I would take on Monday to implement that solution?
.
CONTEXTUALIZING QUESTIONS What does this say to my context as a ……. person?… follower of Jesus? … to a church? … to a community – my neighbors?

Footnotes:
[1]
[2]
[3]
[4]
[5]

All Scripture quotations are from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © 1946, 1952, and 1971 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
This is an Anchor Post. Please see How and Why We Use Quotes.

A sermon was preached on this text:

01-21-18
“Let it be so now…” Matthew 3
Audio
Slides

Last post review/revision: 11:18 AM 11/3/2022

Imperative:

Context:

GREEK VERBS:

NOTE (my commentary)

DISCERNMENT QUESTIONS
What does this quote say?
What does it say that I should obey?
What is the wish? What are the outcomes?
What are the basic steps?
What are the obstacles?
Who needs to hear this?

RESOURCES

SOURCE – Footnotes:
Link to text:
Link to Greek Interlinear text: https://biblehub.com/interlinear/matthew/5.htm

What are the commands of Jesus Christ which we need to obey? In disciple-making, Jesus commanded the following in Matthew 28:20: “teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you…” What are the commands that we are to follow and teach others as identified by Jesus’ use of the imperative mood in the Greek?

Please review the page How and Why We Use Quotes.
Key: Origin: Last Revision:

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