Attributed commentary excerpt
John Gill's Exposition on Matthew 3:15
A historical reference excerpt for this verse. Read it alongside the biblical text and other available sources.
Exposition of the Old and New Testament
John Gill (1697–1771) · 18th-century historical commentary
Source: BibleWord.ai's local reference edition of this named work.
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 forerunner, and the only administrator of it, and that he might fulfill the ministry which he had received; and as it became Christ to fulfill all righteousness, moral and ceremonial, and baptism being a part of his Father’s will, which he came to do, it became him to fulfill this also. And since it became Christ, it cannot be unbecoming us to submit to this ordinance; and since he looked upon it as a part of righteousness to be fulfilled by him, it ought to be attended to by all those who would be accounted followers of him. Christ having strongly urged the conveniency and equity of the administration of baptism to him, which showed his eager desire after it, and the lowliness of his mind; and John being convinced, and overcome by the force of his reasoning, agrees to his baptism; then he suffered him, i.e. to be baptized in water by him, as he had requested, and accordingly did administer it to him.
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