Bible Question:
Does the Bible tell us that John's baptism of Jesus fulfilled the law and that it was completed by Jesus' baptism?
Bible Answer:
Matthew 3:13-15 contains an unusual statement that says Jesus’ baptism fulfilled all righteousness. Here is the verse,
Then Jesus arrived from Galilee at the Jordan coming to John, to be baptized by him. But John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I have need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?” But Jesus answering said to him, “Permit it at this time; for in this way it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he permitted Him. Matthew 3:13-15 (NASB)
What does it mean that Jesus’ baptism fulfilled “all righteousness”? That is the purpose of this article. The Greek word for “fulfill” is pleroo which means “to fulfill” or “to complete.” It is important to understand the two senses of this Greek word. Jesus was fulfilling and completing all righteousness. Now in what sense did Jesus’ baptism fulfill and complete all righteousness? Before we answer that question, we need to examine several points.
Possible Location For Baptism in the Jordan River
First, when Jesus was baptized it symbolized his own death and resurrection. For in Luke 12:50 Jesus said,
But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is accomplished! Luke 12:50 (NASB)
Then later Matthew 20:17–22 and Luke 18:31–34 reveal that He referred to His death and resurrection for the forgiveness of our sins.
Second, Jesus symbolically identified Himself with every sinner when He was baptized. For He would bear our sins in His own body (1 Peter 2:24; 3;18). John’s baptism symbolized a man’s or woman’s sorrow over his or her sins and the desire to be cleansed from sin. But it did not actually cleanse or forgive sins. The cleansing of sins is not accomplished by immersion into water, the pouring of water over a person, or sprinkling with water.
John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. Mark 1:4 (NASB)
. . . and they were being baptized by him in the Jordan River, as they confessed their sins. Matthew 3:6 (NASB)
John’s baptism was not for Jesus. Matthew 3:14 tells us that John the Baptist tried to stop Jesus from being baptized. For John knew that Jesus did not need to be baptized. Jesus was sinless (2 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 4:15; 1 Peter 2:22; 1 John 3:5).
Third, by being baptized Jesus established the pattern that every believer should be baptized as a symbolic act that they have died to self and became a new person (Romans 6:1-4; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 6:15; Ephesians 4:24; Colossians 3:10).
Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death? Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, in order that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. Romans 6:3-4 (NASB)
Baptism symbolizes the doctrinal reality. The Holy Spirit regenerated us (Titus 3:5). We are no longer slaves to sin and we are now slaves to righteousness (Romans 6:7, 18, 20). Believers are new creatures in Christ.
Fourth, Jesus also affirmed John’s baptism was a symbol of preparation for the coming of the messianic kingdom over which He would rule as king. John was the forerunner for the coming Messiah or Christ (Luke 1:17).
Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Matthew 3:2 (NASB)
By submitting to John’s baptism, Jesus symbolized His coming ministry as the suffering servant (Isaiah 53) who would die for the sins of the world so that others could become righteous. Thus He “fulfills all righteousness.” It symbolized His future death. During Christ’s ministry, He used the figurative language of immersion as a symbol of His coming death and resurrection.
But Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking for. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?” And they said to Him, “We are able.” And Jesus said to them, “The cup that I drink you shall drink; and you shall be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized. Mark 10:38-39 (NASB)
Fifth, Jesus needed to be baptized to prove to John the Baptist that He was the Messiah. God had promised John that He would be given a sign that revealed the Messiah.
And John bore witness saying, “I have beheld the Spirit descending as a dove out of heaven, and He remained upon Him. And I did not recognize Him, but He who sent me to baptize in water said to me, ‘He upon whom you see the Spirit descending and remaining upon Him, this is the one who baptizes in the Holy Spirit.'” John 1:32-33 (NASB)
So, Jesus needed to be baptized as a sign to John. Doing the baptism the Holy Spirit descended upon Him.. Jesus was and is the Righteous One (Acts 3:14; 7:52).
Conclusion:
Grant Osborne summarizes the meaning of the phrase “to fulfill all righteousness” with this comment,
In short, he “fills to the full” the “right” requirement of God in “the OT pattern and prediction of the Messiah.” He does not need to repent, but by submitting to baptism Jesus began His messianic work by identifying with the human need and providing the means by which it can be accomplished.”[1]
John’s baptism identified Christ as the coming Messiah – the Righteous One. Baptism was a symbolic preparation for the coming King and kingdom. Baptism symbolized Christ’s coming death and resurrection for our sins. His baptism instituted the symbol that His future saints would submit themselves as a sign of identification with Christ.
Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit . . . Matthew 28:19 (NASB)
References:
1. Grant Osborne. Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament. Zondervan. 2010. pp. 123-124.