Section 3:13–17

John baptized Jesus

In this section, Jesus came to John the Baptist and asked John to baptize him. John thought that the man who was greater (Jesus) should baptize the man who was not as great (John). This is why John at first did not think that it was right for him to baptize Jesus. But Jesus said that it was the right thing at that time. So John agreed to do it.

Here are some other possible headings for this section:

The Baptism of Jesus (New International Version)
-or-
Jesus is Baptized by John (New Century Version)
-or-
John baptizes Jesus (God’s Word)

There are parallel passages for this section in Mark 1:9–11 and Luke 3:21–22.

Paragraph 3:13–14

3:13a

At that time: The events in this paragraph happened after John talked to the crowds in 3:11–12.

Here are some other ways to connect this paragraph to the previous one:

Then (English Standard Version)
-or-
Shortly after that
-or-
Next

Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan: This clause indicates that Jesus left his home area in the district of Galilee and went to the Jordan River. In some languages, it may be more natural to translate the verb came as “went” or “left.” For example:

Then Jesus went from Galilee to the Jordan River (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
Jesus left Galilee and went to the Jordan River (Contemporary English Version)

Galilee: Galilee was the name of a district or area in the north part of Israel.

Here are some other ways to translate this name:

⌊the district of⌋ Galilee
-or-

⌊the region of⌋ Galilee

to the Jordan: The phrase the Jordan refers to the Jordan River. For example:

the Jordan River (New Living Translation (2004))

3:13b

to be baptized by John: The purpose of Jesus’ coming was for John to baptize him.

Here are some other ways to indicate this purpose:

in order to be baptized by John
-or-

for the purpose of being baptized by John

The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as to be baptized is passive. Here are some other ways to translate this verb:

• As a passive verb. For example:

to be baptized by him (Revised Standard Version)

• As an active verb. For example:

so that John would baptize him

baptized: See how you translated this word in 3:6.

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