Bible Strands
Matthew 3:14
But John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — John speaks to Jesus at the Jordan River immediately after Jesus arrives from Galilee to be baptized. John attempts to stop Jesus, recognizing his own spiritual need for baptism by the one he is approaching.
The words — John uses διεκώλυεν (diekōlūen), literally "was hindering," to describe his active resistance. He also uses χρείαν (chreian), meaning "need," to state his own requirement for baptism by Jesus.
The thread — This pattern of reversal and spiritual necessity appears in John 13:6, where Peter questions Jesus about washing his feet, and Acts 1:5, which contrasts John’s water baptism with the coming Spirit baptism. John 3:3 similarly highlights the necessity of a spiritual transformation before entering God’s kingdom.
Why it lands — The text plainly records John's refusal to baptize Jesus and his declaration of personal need before the ritual proceeds. It requires a reader to acknowledge that approaching divine authority demands humility and the recognition of one's own spiritual deficit.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?
Cross-references
- John 3:3 Jesus replied, “Truly, truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.”
- John 13:6 He came to Simon Peter, who asked Him, “Lord, are You going to wash my feet?”
- Acts 1:5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”
- Luke 1:43 And why am I so honored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
- John 1:16 From His fullness we have all received grace upon grace.
- Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
- Romans 3:25 God presented Him as an atoning sacrifice in His blood through faith, in order to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance He had passed over the sins committed beforehand.
- Galatians 3:22 But the Scripture pronounces all things confined by sin, so that by faith in Jesus Christ the promise might be given to those who believe.
- Galatians 3:27 For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.
- Galatians 4:6 And because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!”