“When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: ‘You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.'” (Luke 3:21-22 NIV)
The baptism of Jesus was one of the historical events described in the three Synoptic Gospels of the New Testament (Matthew, Mark, and Luke). It marked the starting point of His ministry. Other significant events include the Transfiguration, Crucifixion, Resurrection, and Ascension. Baptism, however, was a ritual of purification performed by John the Baptist.
In the Gospel of Luke, the event is assumed to have occurred around AD 28–29. Jesus’ baptism is believed to have taken place at Al-Maghtas or “Bethany Beyond the Jordan” (John 1:28), also called Bethabara in Perea, on the eastern bank of the Jordan River, near Jericho.
This event is interpreted differently across Christian denominations, yet it remains one of the most significant moments in the foundation of Christian life.
The Synoptic Gospels depict the baptism in parallel passages. In all three, the Spirit of God—the Holy Spirit in Luke, “the Spirit” in Mark, and “the Spirit of God” in Matthew—is shown descending upon Jesus immediately after His baptism, accompanied by a voice from Heaven. In both Luke and Mark, the voice addresses Jesus, saying, “You are my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased,” while in Matthew, it says, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:13–17; Mark 1:9–11; Luke 3:21–23).
Following the baptism, the Synoptic Gospels describe the temptation of Jesus, where He withdrew to the Judean desert to fast for forty days and nights.
During St. Paul’s ministry in Ephesus, he performed a baptism of the Holy Spirit in addition to the baptism by John the Baptist. The account is written in Acts 19:1-7:
1 While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus. There he found some disciples
2 and asked them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” They answered, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.”
3 So Paul asked, “Then what baptism did you receive?” “John’s baptism,” they replied.
4 Paul said, “John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus.”
5 On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
6 When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied.
7 There were about twelve men in all.
Reflecting on the baptism of Jesus, we should remember that it did not require repentance, as Jesus stated in Mark 1:15: “The time has come,” He said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!” Jesus did not perform penance because He was sinless. Instead, He took our sins upon Himself, as St. Paul says: “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21 NIV). He humbled Himself, identified with sinners, and obediently subjected Himself to baptism, just as He submitted to circumcision and presentation in the Temple.
In His baptism, Jesus taught us humility and obedience. He showed us that we, too, must obey all the ordinances of God.
Through His baptism, Jesus sanctified the water, which symbolizes the power to purify and sanctify a human being. In doing so, He instituted the Sacrament of Baptism, whereby, under the outward sign of water, we receive the remission of our sins.
Consider the powerful moment when Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist in the River Jordan. Think of Jesus, who grew up in the small town of Nazareth, and likely apprenticed as a carpenter, like Joseph. Though those closest to Him knew there was something different about Him, that God had a unique path for Him to follow. Jesus grew up with the weight of the world on His shoulders, whether He knew it or not. Finally, at thirty years old, He began His path of redeeming His people. He journeyed to the River Jordan to be baptized by His relative, John. This moment marked the beginning of His earthly ministry.
John had been preparing the way, telling the crowds that came to be baptized that another, more powerful than he, was coming. John declared that he was not worthy to untie this person’s sandals. And then Jesus came, ready to be baptized by John. It was the beginning of His public ministry.
What a powerful moment it was—for Jesus, for John, and for all those present.
Before He began His public ministry, Jesus was baptized. And as He was, He heard a voice from heaven say: “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.” As the Son of God, He overcame the devil’s temptations in the wilderness. As the Son of God, He proclaimed the kingdom of God through word and deed. As the Son of God, He called disciples to follow Him. Finally, as the Son of God, He died on the cross for the sins of the world.
But what does Jesus’ baptism mean for us? And what does it mean that we are baptized?
Baptism is the first act of Christian public life. Like Jesus, His disciples present themselves to be baptized. This act teaches us that those commissioned in the work of God should carry with them pure, uncorrupted hearts. We must adopt the humility of the Son of God and believe that humility is the best preparation for great works.
Jesus came to fulfill all righteousness, which included being baptized. Consider the people who were baptized. “When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too.”
Jesus came to be in the midst of the people. He came to dwell among us. Remember, He went to John the Baptist, His servant, to be baptized by him, standing among common sinners, including tax collectors, prostitutes, soldiers, and the lowest in society.
Jesus knew who the people were during His baptism. These people became His people—His sheep. Jesus Himself tells us in the Gospel of John 10: “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me—just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have the authority to lay it down and the authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father” (John 10:14-18 NIV).
Let us repeat: Jesus’ baptism is a manifestation of His nature. Jesus is fully divine—the Son of God, perfect and without sin—yet He chose to be baptized. He chose to become one of us, fully and completely human. He took on our sin and the sin of the world.
As the Son of God, He was baptized to truly become one of us, to share our pain, suffering, struggles, and even our death. So that He, the Son of God, could say to us, “My fellow humans,” and even, “My fellow sinners.”
Jesus’ baptism is important because it shows us how far He is willing to go to identify with us. But it is also important for another reason—it shows us that Jesus is fully human. His task was difficult. He was going to face opposition from many and eventually be killed. None of it would be easy. That is why His baptism provided a crucial foundation for His mission.
Jesus courageously carried out His work, no matter the cost. He has encouraged us to live with Him, to teach and preach with Him, and if necessary, to give our lives for Him and His people. This message gives us a firm foundation that no storm in life can crack. What challenge is too great to face when we truly believe that we are God’s beloved?
The problem is that we don’t always believe the message of God, as taught by Jesus. We all doubt God’s love for us, especially when we feel powerful over our Creator. Due to painful experiences, we doubt or forget this fundamental truth that we are beloved children of God.
We are God’s beloved. No matter what. But this doesn’t mean we can live as we wish, disregarding God’s commands. In fact, the more we remember that we are God’s beloved, the more we want to live according to His will. It is only when we question that love that we are tempted to live in ways that do not please God.
Believing we are God’s beloved gives us the courage and desire to face down temptations and selfish desires and live in a way that pleases God. It also comforts us in times of trial while challenging us to live out this love. And it helps us see everyone around us, especially the poor, oppressed, exploited, and marginalized, as God’s beloved.
Surely, all of God’s children are beloved. And that means everyone, doesn’t it? It’s why Jesus urged us to repent (Mark 1:15). Jesus certainly thought so, as He treated everyone as God’s beloved. He taught us, and even commanded us, to love one another. He even said: “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (John 15:13).
All of God’s children are beloved by God. But many have forgotten it. This leads to oppression and exploitation. Jesus’ word to us now is to repent and be baptized.
And that is really all that God wants to say to us today: We are God’s beloved. This should comfort and inspire us—to share this message with our siblings in Christ, just as Jesus taught us to do. The voice that Jesus heard from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you, I am well pleased,” is now spoken to us and through those who follow, die, and resurrect with Him. Many people in our world may not hear this word of love unless they hear it from us. Let us be faithful in sharing this message with all of God’s beloved world. Again, share God’s beloved message.
