Matthew 3:15

“And Jesus answering, said unto him, etc.] This is an Hebrew way of speaking, often used in the Old Testament, and answers to rmayw ˆ[y; (see <180301>Job 3:1). He replied to John, who had made use of very forbidding words, after this manner, suffer it to be so now; let me have my request; do not go on to object, but comply with my desire; let it be done now, immediately, directly, at this present time; do not put me off with any excuse; it is a proper season for it, even “now”, since the time is not yet come that I am to baptize with the Holy Ghost; and besides, thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness. It became John to administer the ordinance of baptism to Christ, as he was his…”

“And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now--"Let it pass for the present"; that is, "Thou recoilest, and no wonder, for the seeming incongruity is startling; but in the present case do as thou art bidden." for thus it becometh us--"us," not in the sense of me and thee," or "men in general," but as in Joh 3:11. to fulfil all righteousness--If this be rendered, with SCRIVENER, "every ordinance," or, with CAMPBELL, "every institution," the meaning is obvious enough; and the same sense is brought out by "all righteousness," or compliance with everything enjoined, baptism included. Indeed, if this be the meaning, our version perhaps best brings out the force of the opening word…”

“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,” here, is the same as a righteous institution or appointment. Jesus had no sin. But he was about to enter on his great work. It was proper that he should be set apart by his forerunner, and show his connection with him, and give his approbation to what John had done. He submitted to the ordinance of baptism, also, in order that occasion might be…”

“It becometh us to fulfil all righteousness - It becometh every messenger of God to observe all his righteous ordinances. But the particular meaning of our Lord seems to be, that it becometh us to do (me to receive baptism, and you to administer it) in order to fulfil, that is, that I may fully perform every part of the righteous law of God, and the commission he hath given me. Matthew 3:16”

“3:15 for we must carry out all that God requires: Or for we must fulfill all righteousness. This statement refers to accomplishing what the Old Testament demanded or foreshadowed (e.g., Jer 31:31-34). “Righteousness” in Matthew refers to behavior that conforms to God’s will (see Matt 5:20; 6:1, 33; 21:32).”

“Suffer: Joh 13:7-9 for: Psa 40:7, Psa 40:8; Isa 42:21; Luk 1:6; Joh 4:34, Joh 8:29, Joh 13:15, Joh 15:10; Phi 2:7, Phi 2:8; Heb 7:26; Pe1 2:21-24; Jo1 2:6 Matthew 3:16”