¹³ Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him.
¹⁴ John would have prevented him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?"
¹⁵ But Jesus answered him, "Let it be so now; for thus it is fitting for us to fulfil all righteousness." Then he consented.
¹⁶ And when Jesus was baptized, he went up immediately from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and alighting on him;
¹⁷ and lo, a voice from heaven, saying, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased."

• (v.14) Matthew's account is based on Mark's rather straightforward and direct version. Mark's story was an embarrassment to the early church, because it was thought unsuitable that the sinless Jesus should be baptized for His sins. Matthew therefore omits the reference in Mark 1:4 to the forgiveness of sins and adds the dialogue.
• (v.15) "righteousness", this word recalls that of Isaiah 42:6 in today's first reading "I have called you in righteousness," that is, in order to fulfill my purpose in salvation history. Thus, Jesus' submission to John's baptism was part of God's plan, so that Jesus would be manifested as the servant of Yahweh.
• (v.16) That the Spirit descended on Him means that Jesus has been anointed as Messiah (Acts 10:37-38)
• (v.17) "voice" - In Mark, the voice says "You are" rather than "This is." Here the words are addressed to others present. Jesus is publicly acknowledged as the Son of God. This makes the event more clearly a manifestation of Jesus to the world, echoing the Epiphany.

Jesus is revealed by His Father to be the Son who alone knows God's will. He is the "servant," "beloved," "chosen one" with whom God was "well pleased."

1. Reflect on God's will for you throughout your life.
2. Recall an incident in your life when you felt deeply God's love for you.

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A synthesis by the Vietnamese Christian Life (Dong Hanh) Community