Paragraph 3:15

3:15a

There is a contrast between 3:14 and 3:15. The contrast is between John trying to prevent the baptism and Jesus telling him to allow it. Some English versions show this contrast with the conjunction “But” (English Standard Version). However, the Berean Standard Bible and some other English versions do not explicitly show the contrast.

Let it be so now: In this context, the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Let it be so refers to permitting something to happen. John had tried to prevent the baptism (3:14a). But Jesus told him to allow it.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

Permit it at this time (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
For now this is how it should be (Contemporary English Version)

now: In this context, the word now indicates that that particular moment in time was the right time for John to baptize Jesus.

Here is another way to translate this word:

at this time (New American Standard Bible)

Jesus replied: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as replied sometimes introduces an answer to a question. In this passage, it introduces a response to a rhetorical question, not a real question.

The Berean Standard Bible places the words Jesus replied at the end of what Jesus said. This is good English style. However, in some languages, it may be more natural to follow the Greek and place these words at the beginning of the sentence. For example:

But Jesus answered him… (English Standard Version)

If you translated 3:14c as a question, you may want to use a word here meaning “answered.” But if you translated it as a statement, you may need to use a different word meaning something like “said” or “stated.”

3:15b

The Greek of 3:15b begins with a conjunction that is often translated as “for.” It introduces the basis for Jesus’ command in 3:15a. The Berean Standard Bible omits this conjunction. Here is another way to translate this conjunction:

because (Contemporary English Version)

In some languages, it will be more natural to put 3:15b before 3:15a. For example:

15bIt is proper for us to do this ⌊in order⌋ to do what God wants. 15a⌊So⌋ for now, let it be so.

It is fitting for us: The word fitting refers to something being morally right or correct. It was proper or correct for John to baptize Jesus.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

it is right for us (NET Bible)
-or-
we must do (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
it is proper for us (New International Version)

to fulfill all righteousness: The phrase to fulfill all righteousness indicates that when John baptized Jesus, they would accomplish God’s will. The word righteousness refers here to doing the right/good things that God requires. It was God’s will at that moment for John to baptize Jesus, and it was God’s will for Jesus to undergo John’s baptism.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

do all that God requires (Good News Translation)
-or-
to do the right/good things that God wants

This phrase probably refers only to the baptism. It does not refer to all the things that God wanted Jesus to do. Your translation should not indicate a general reference for all time.

in this way: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as in this way can also be translated as “thus” or “this.” For example:

it is proper for us to do this (New International Version)
-or-

This is the proper way to do everything that God requires of us. (God’s Word)

General Comment on 3:15a–b

Verse 3:15a–b is a direct quote. In some languages, it is more natural to translate this as an indirect quote. For example:

15aBut Jesus told him to allow it at that time 15bbecause it was proper for them to do it ⌊in order⌋ to do what God wanted them to do.

3:15c

Then John permitted Him: The word permitted indicates that John agreed or accepted. For example:

So John agreed (Good News Translation)

It is implied that John agreed to baptize Jesus. In some languages, it may be natural to make this information explicit. For example:

So John agreed to baptize Jesus (New Century Version)

-or-

So John accepted ⌊to baptize Jesus⌋

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