Matthew 3:15-17
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Jesus’s phrase “fulfill all righteousness” isn’t just about obeying the law; it signifies an embrace of every righteous action God presents, even this unexpected one of being baptized by John. This shows Jesus’s commitment to perfectly align with God’s plan, setting the stage for His ministry in a way that honors every part of God's unfolding purpose.
But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented. And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
John the Baptist is baptizing people who are confessing their sins, but when Jesus approaches, John hesitates, recognizing Jesus’ divine purity and feeling unworthy to baptize Him. Jesus insists, explaining that it’s necessary for both of them to submit to this act to perfectly fulfill all God’s righteous requirements at this crucial moment. John then complies, leading directly into the account of Jesus' baptism and the Father's affirmation from heaven.
Jesus' baptism wasn't just another religious ritual. He explained it as fulfilling 'all righteousness.' What does that really mean for us today?
When Jesus told John the Baptist, 'it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness,' he wasn't just saying he was obeying a command. The scholars suggest that 'all righteousness' here refers to fulfilling every righteous ordinance, every divine appointment, and every aspect of God's will as it was presented. Jesus, though sinless, was entering his public ministry. Submitting to John's baptism was a way to:
Jesus’ decision to be baptized wasn't a matter of absolute duty or necessity for his own sin, but a profound act of 'fittingness.' What does this distinction teach us about divine action?
The Greek word used for 'fitting' (trepon) isn't the same as 'necessary' (dei) or 'duty' (opheilo). This means Jesus wasn't compelled to be baptized out of personal obligation, as he had no sin to confess or repent of. Instead, it 'befitted' or was morally appropriate for him to do so in his role as Messiah and for their respective positions:
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This 'fittingness' points to the perfect harmony and moral beauty in God's plan. Every action, even an outward ordinance like baptism, was perfectly placed and appropriate within the unfolding of salvation history.
Understand the original words
dikaiosynē · Greek Noun
A state of being in conformity with God's law, character, and will; it is the standard of moral perfection that God requires and provides through faith in Christ.
baptizō · Greek Verb
An act of ritual immersion in water, symbolizing purification, repentance, or identification with a specific teaching or figure. In the New Testament, it signifies union with Christ in his death and resurrection, and public profession of faith.
ouranos · Greek Noun
The expanse or firmament above the earth, often used in Scripture as the dwelling place of God, representing His authority, glory, and sovereign rule over creation.
pneuma Theou · Greek Noun
The third person of the Trinity, the active agent of God’s power, presence, and revelation in the world, who indwells believers and empowers them for ministry and holiness.
peristera · Greek Noun
A bird frequently associated in biblical typology with peace, purity, and the presence of the Holy Spirit. Here, it signifies the gentle, empowering, and distinctive descent of God's presence upon the Messiah.
phōnē · Greek Noun
A term denoting divine communication, often used in the context of prophetic revelation or a direct manifestation of God's authority and will to humanity.
huios · Greek Noun
A title denoting a unique, eternal relationship with God the Father, emphasizing the Messiah’s divine nature, authority, and role as the representative of the Father to humanity.
eudokeō · Greek Verb
A state of divine approval and delight; it refers to God's complete satisfaction in the character, identity, and redemptive mission of another, particularly the Messiah.
Jesus' baptism wasn't just another religious rite; it was a deliberate, divinely ordained step to publicly inaugurate His Messianic mission and publicly identify with humanity, even before His public ministry truly began.
c. 27 AD
John the Baptist's Ministry Begins
John the Baptist starts his public ministry in the Judean wilderness, calling people to repentance and baptizing them in the Jordan River.
c. 27 AD— this verse
Jesus Arrives at the Jordan
Jesus travels from Galilee to the Jordan River to be baptized by John, seeking to fulfill all righteousness in this significant act.
c. 27 AD
The Baptism of Jesus
John baptizes Jesus, and immediately after, the Holy Spirit descends like a dove, and a voice from heaven declares Jesus as God's Son.
c. 27 AD
Jesus Withdraws to the Wilderness
Following His baptism and the affirmation of His identity, Jesus is led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil for forty days.
This passage speaks to God's overarching plan working through all things, echoing Jesus' acknowledgment in Matthew 3:15 that His baptism is a necessary step in fulfilling divine purposes, even if not immediately understood.
Hebrews 2:10This verse highlights that it was fitting for God, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through suffering, mirroring Jesus' statement in Matthew 3:15 that it 'befitted' Him to fulfill all righteousness, implying a divine appropriateness in His actions.
Matthew 5:17Jesus' statement here, 'Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them,' directly connects to His purpose in Matthew 3:15 of fulfilling all righteousness, showing His intent to uphold and complete God's will.
Luke 3:21-22While Matthew focuses on Jesus' words to John, Luke provides the immediate aftermath of the baptism, showing the heavens opening and the Spirit descending, confirming that Jesus' submission to John's baptism was indeed a pivotal moment for fulfilling His righteous calling.
barnesMatthew 3:15: "And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him."
Thus it becometh us - It is suitable and proper. And though you may feel yourself unworthy, yet it is proper it should be done. All righteousness - There was no particular precept in the Old Testament requiring this, but he chose to give the sanction of his example to the baptism of John, as to a divine ordinance. The phrase "all righteousness," h…
pulpitMatthew 3:15: "And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him."
Verse 15. - Suffer it to be so now; suffer it now (Revised Version); "suffer me now" (Revised Version margin); ἄφες ἄρτι, only here (apparently) in the New Testament quite absolutely, but Matthew 7:4 slightly favours the Revised Version margin. Now; at this special season (ἄρτι); in contrast to the more permanent relation which shall be recognized…
Jesus’s phrase “fulfill all righteousness” isn’t just about obeying the law; it signifies an embrace of every righteous action God presents, even this unexpected one of being baptized by John. This shows Jesus’s commitment to perfectly align with God’s plan, setting the stage for His ministry in a way that honors every part of God's unfolding purpose.
John the Baptist is baptizing people who are confessing their sins, but when Jesus approaches, John hesitates, recognizing Jesus’ divine purity and feeling unworthy to baptize Him. Jesus insists, explaining that it’s necessary for both of them to submit to this act to perfectly fulfill all God’s righteous requirements at this crucial moment. John then complies, leading directly into the account of Jesus' baptism and the Father's affirmation from heaven.
John the Baptist is baptizing people who are confessing their sins, but when Jesus approaches, John hesitates, recognizing Jesus’ divine purity and feeling unworthy to baptize Him. Jesus insists, explaining that it’s necessary for both of them to submit to this act to perfectly fulfill all God’s righteous requirements at this crucial moment. John then complies, leading directly into the account of Jesus' baptism and the Father's affirmation from heaven.
"But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented. And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and…" — Jesus’s phrase “fulfill all righteousness” isn’t just about obeying the law; it signifies an embrace of every righteous action God presents, even this unexpected one of being baptized by John. This s…
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Last reviewed October 2026
