Matthew 3:14

“But John forbad him, saying, etc.] It appears from hence, that John knew Christ before he baptized him, and before he saw the Spirit descending and abiding on him, (<430133>John 1:33) wherefore that was not a signal, whereby he should first know him but whereby his knowledge of him should be confirmed; which knowledge of him he had, not through his kindred to him, or by any conversation he had with him before, but by immediate, divine revelation: upon which account he “forbad him”; refused to administer the ordinance to him; earnestly entreated that he would not insist upon it; desired to be excused being concerned herein: and this he did, partly lest the people should think Christ was not…”

“But John forbade him--rather, "was (in the act of) hindering him," or "attempting to hinder him." saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?--(How John came to recognize Him, when he says he knew Him not, see Joh 1:31-34). The emphasis of this most remarkable speech lies all in the pronouns: "What! Shall the Master come for baptism to the servant--the sinless Saviour to a sinner?" That thus much is in the Baptist's words will be clearly seen if it be observed that he evidently regarded Jesus as Himself needing no purification but rather qualified to impart it to those who did. And do not all his other testimonies to Christ fully bear out this sense of the words? But…”

“John forbade him - Refused him. I have need - It is more suitable that I should be baptized with thy baptism, the Holy Spirit, than that thou shouldest be baptized in water by me. I am a sinner, and unworthy to administer this to the Messiah. return to 'Top of Page'”

“3:14 As John had already confessed (3:11-12), he was lesser than the Messiah, so he felt unfit to baptize him.”

“John: Luk 1:43; Joh 13:6-8 I have: Joh 1:16, Joh 3:3-7; Act 1:5-8; Rom 3:23, Rom 3:25; Gal 3:22, Gal 3:27-29, Gal 4:6; Eph 2:3-5; Rev 7:9-17 Matthew 3:15”