Bible Strands
Matthew 3:15
“Let it be so now,” Jesus replied. “It is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness in this way.” Then John permitted Him.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Jesus speaks to John the Baptist at the Jordan River immediately after John objects to baptizing Him. The exchange occurs at the precise moment Jesus prepares to submit to John’s baptismal rite.
The words — ἄφες (aphes) translates literally as “do permit” or “let it be,” directing John to allow the action to proceed. Jesus deploys this imperative to override John’s hesitation and authorize the baptism.
The thread — The pattern of submitting to divine obligation appears in John 4:34, where Jesus identifies doing the Father’s will as His sustenance, and in Isaiah 42:21, where God’s righteousness drives the magnification of His law. John 13:15 later frames this act as a concrete pattern for disciples to replicate.
Why it lands — The text requires readers to recognize that obedience to God’s appointed order supersedes personal preference or perceived unworthiness. It demands immediate compliance when divine purpose is explicitly stated.
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
And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.
Cross-references
- John 4:34 Jesus explained, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to finish His work.
- Isaiah 42:21 The LORD was pleased, for the sake of His righteousness, to magnify His law and make it glorious.
- John 13:15 I have set you an example so that you should do as I have done for you.
- John 15:10 If you keep My commandments, you will remain in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and remain in His love.
- Luke 1:6 Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and decrees of the Lord.
- Philippians 2:7 but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in human likeness.
- Psalms 40:7 Then I said, “Here I am, I have come—it is written about me in the scroll:
- John 8:29 He who sent Me is with Me. He has not left Me alone, because I always do what pleases Him.”
- John 13:7 Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”
- 1 Peter 2:21 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His footsteps: