Matthew 3:15Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

He remarked, “Allow it to be so now,” so that He would not intrude like a thief into the fold of the sheep, and to expose the Pharisees, who arrogantly dismissed John's baptism, while simultaneously honoring the humility of His messenger, as it is written, “Everyone who humbles himself will be exalted.”

“Allow... that we may accomplish all that is righteous,” for in a manner, John served as a part of the law, as “the law and the prophets were until John,” Christ marking the commencement of the New Covenant. Thus, through baptism, Christ embraced the essence of the Old Testament in order to receive the complete and unblemished anointing, which He bestowed upon His disciples. He concluded John's baptism alongside the law. Christ underwent baptism in truth, having no sin, while He baptized in grace, recognizing that others were sinners. He abolished the law through His truth and concluded the baptism of John through His own baptism. Moreover, when He says, “that we may accomplish all that is righteous,” this indicates that John functioned as the enclosure for the sheep, where the people of Israel were gathered and united. Therefore, the Lord did not approach the flock forcibly, but rather through righteousness.

Every decree that the Law demanded, I have accomplished; there remains but one: that I should be baptized. Thus, it is right to fulfill all righteousness, which signifies baptism, so that, just as the old Adam failed to obey one commandment, I, the new Adam, accomplish them all on his behalf, establishing his future and liberating My disciples from the judgment to which he brought upon all his descendants. John's baptism, too, was a command from God, for he stated: He that sent me to baptize with water, he spake unto me, etc.

The sacrament serves not to meet My needs, but to think of healing the wounded. It is intended to reveal in these waters the heavenly sources of human life. Allow it. When you witness Me, who, with divine authority, produces what I will within My creation, then compose fitting hymns in response to what has taken place; when you see Me cleansing the lepers, then name Me the Observer of Creation; when you see Me enabling the lame to walk, then, with well-prepared feet, proclaim with your voice My praises; when you see Me casting out demons by My word, then exalt My kingdom; when you see Me calling forth the dead from their graves through My command, then join in praise with those who have been raised, acknowledging Me as the Source of life; when you witness Me seated at the right hand of the Father, then reflect on My unity with the Father and the Holy Spirit. Allow it now, for thus must we fulfill all righteousness. I am the Lawgiver and the Son of the Lawgiver, and I must first fulfill all that is established, then authenticate My gift in all places. I must fulfill the law and subsequently extend grace. I must reveal the shadow before the truth. I must abolish the old covenant and proclaim the new covenant, inscribing it on the hearts of humanity, sealing it with My blood and My Spirit. I must ascend the cross and be pierced by nails, enduring all that is possible to endure, using My suffering to heal human passions, and by the tree reconcile the wounds caused by the tree of knowledge. I must descend to the very depths of hell for the sake of those held there. I must, through the death of My body for three days, dismantle the dominion of enduring death. I must illuminate the darkness for those who dwell in the shadow of death. I must ascend, in the flesh, to where I am God. I must bring forth Adam, who reigns in Me, to the Father. This is My purpose among My creation. I am to be baptized with this baptism now, and then grant to all humanity the baptism of the consubstantial Trinity. Extend to Me, O Baptist, your right hand for this ministry, just as Mary offered her womb for My birth. Immerse Me in the waters of the Jordan, as she wrapped Me in swaddling clothes at My birth. Provide Me with baptism as the Virgin provided nourishment; touch My head, which the seraphim revere; touch My head, which is like your right hand; touch My head, which may be held by nature; touch My head, which I and the Father have prepared for this moment; touch My head, which, when touched in reverence, leaves no burden upon the soul. Baptize Me, who has the authority to baptize believers with water, with the Spirit, and with fire—with water that cleanses the stains of sin, with the Spirit that renders the earthly spiritual, with fire that consumes the thorns of wickedness. Upon hearing these words, the Baptist halted in his thoughts regarding the path to salvation, holding within himself the sacrament he had received. In obedience to God's instruction, he, being pious and faithful, extended his trembling yet joyous right hand and baptized the Lord.

The charge to uphold the truth equates to genuine, heartfelt obedience and submission to the divine law, imbued with reverence for God, as truth resides within the law while wickedness embodies a falsehood. Recognizing that truth is found in the Law of God, a Christian should refrain from questioning the reasons behind prohibitions and commandments but should rather, with unwavering obedience of mind and heart, strive to fulfill what is commanded and abstain from what is forbidden. This significant virtue draws the attention of the Lord Himself, who declares, ‘On whom shall I look but on the meek and humble, and he who trembles at My word!’ (Isaiah 66:2). How great is God's mercy towards the devoted Christian who is obedient to His law! Yet, acquiring this admirable virtue is challenging and not easily achievable. Our inquisitive nature yearns to understand the reasons and purposes behind every command and restriction - it seeks to adjudicate and define everything according to its perspectives. However, due to its limitations and frailties, it often becomes ensnared in untruths and falsehoods. How many are there among us who misguide themselves in this way! Thus, it is essential to petition the Lord: ‘Grant me, O Lord, obedience; grant me unwavering adherence to Your law, that I may not deviate from the path of truth to embrace falsehood!’

This is not the moment for My glorification, but for My humiliation, for it is essential that we fulfill all righteousness, completing the law and the will of God. The first Adam failed to uphold one command, leading to the condemnation of all humanity; I, as the new Adam, must obey not just the commands of God but also the laws of men that align with those commandments, thereby granting salvation to all. Set this aside for now, John; there will come a time when you will see Me as you wish: you will witness Me vanquishing the power of Satan; you will observe all forces of heaven, earth, and hell bow before Me—this you will see, but for now, await it. For the time being, I must receive baptism from you, just as I once experienced circumcision. God, My Father, has appointed you to baptize others; having taken on human form, I must be baptized by you. If tax collectors and sinners glorify God by receiving baptism from you, should I not follow suit? If I refrain, would I not be akin to the Pharisees and scribes, who, refusing your baptism, rejected God's purpose for their salvation? Let us therefore set this aside, for we must fulfill all righteousness. I am the Lawgiver and the Son of the Lawgiver; consequently, I must first fulfill what I have commanded and then demonstrate My authority. First, I must uphold the Law, only then to impart grace. I need to complete the Old Covenant and proclaim the New Covenant, inscribing it on the hearts of humanity, sealing it with My blood and My Spirit. I must ascend the cross and be crucified, so that through My sufferings I may bring healing to the suffering of others. I must descend into the depths for the sake of the deceased there. Through My three-day death in the flesh, I must eradicate the longstanding dominion of death. I will ascend with the flesh where I am present in the Godhead. I will bring Adam to the Father. I must now undergo this baptism and subsequently offer to all the baptism of the one and only Trinity. Place your right hand upon Me, O Baptist. Submerge Me now in the waters of the Jordan, just as she who bore Me wrapped Me in swaddling clothes. Touch My head, before which the Seraphim bow in reverence. And the Forerunner, no longer obstructing the fulfillment of Divine truth, then performed the act. He looked on in amazement as Jesus Christ removed His garments like any other sinner. John himself led Him into the water, placed his trembling hand upon Him, and immediately immersed Him in the waters of the Jordan.