Who Gave Baptism to Jesus?
The baptism of Jesus is one of the most important events in the Gospels. All four Gospel accounts—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John—mention it, showing its central role in the life and ministry of Christ. The one who gave baptism to Jesus was John the Baptist, a prophet sent by God to prepare the way for the Messiah. John baptized Jesus in the Jordan River, marking the beginning of His public ministry and fulfilling God’s plan of salvation.
Yet this event was more than a simple washing with water. Baptism in Judaism was often connected to purification or repentance, but Jesus’ baptism redefined its meaning. It was not simply a declaration of repentance but an act of righteousness, an identification with sinners, and a moment where the Spirit of God descended on Jesus, affirming His identity as the Son of God. In this way, Jesus’ baptism pointed forward to the new baptism He would later establish: one of regeneration by the Spirit and allegiance to Him as Lord.
This article will explore who baptized Jesus, why it mattered, and what this event means for the Gospel and for the church today.
1. John the Baptist and the Practice of Baptism
John the Baptist was the forerunner of Jesus, preaching repentance in preparation for the kingdom of God. Matthew 3:1–2 records his message: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Crowds came to him in the wilderness, confessing their sins and being baptized in the Jordan River.
Baptism was not unknown in Judaism. Ritual washings were common for purification, and groups such as the Qumran community practiced baptism-like rites as signs of commitment. But John’s baptism was distinctive. It was not only about ritual purity but about radical repentance and readiness for the coming of the Messiah.
When Jesus came to John to be baptized, John was astonished. Matthew 3:14 records his protest: “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” But Jesus insisted, saying, “Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness” (Matthew 3:15).
2. Why Jesus Was Baptized Despite Being Sinless
The baptism John offered was for repentance, yet Jesus was without sin (Hebrews 4:15). Why, then, was He baptized? The answer lies in the phrase “to fulfill all righteousness.” Jesus’ baptism was not a confession of personal sin but an act of obedience to God’s plan.
By receiving baptism, Jesus identified Himself with sinners, entering into their condition and taking their place. This act pointed forward to the cross, where He would fully bear the sins of the world. His baptism was vicarious—undertaken on behalf of others, showing that He stood with His people in their need.
In this way, the baptism of Jesus reveals the heart of the Gospel: the sinless Son of God enters into the brokenness of humanity to bring salvation.
3. The Spirit Descending at Jesus’ Baptism
At the moment of Jesus’ baptism, the heavens were opened, and the Spirit of God descended on Him like a dove. A voice from heaven declared, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:16–17).
This moment fulfilled Old Testament prophecy. Isaiah 42:1 spoke of the servant of the Lord: “I have put my Spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations.” The descent of the Spirit marked Jesus as the Spirit-anointed Messiah who would accomplish God’s mission.
The Father’s voice affirmed His sonship, and the Spirit’s presence equipped Him for His messianic task. Jesus’ baptism was therefore both a commissioning and an assurance. It revealed Him publicly as the beloved Son who would bring salvation to the world.
4. The Contrast Between John’s Baptism and Jesus’ Baptism
John himself declared that his baptism was incomplete compared to what Jesus would bring. In Matthew 3:11 he says, “I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me… will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.”
John’s baptism was preparatory. It called people to repentance and symbolized cleansing. But Jesus’ baptism is transformative. Through faith in Him, believers receive the Holy Spirit, who regenerates hearts, renews lives, and incorporates them into the body of Christ.
This shift shows how Jesus redefined baptism. It was no longer just a sign of repentance or group membership but a participation in the life of Christ, a declaration of allegiance to Him, and a testimony of regeneration through the Spirit.
5. Baptism as Spiritual Warfare
The baptism of Jesus also reveals the theme of spiritual warfare. Immediately after His baptism, Jesus was led into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil (Matthew 4:1). Baptism marked the beginning of His public ministry, and it initiated direct confrontation with the powers of darkness.
Early Christian baptismal practices reflected this reality. Candidates would renounce Satan and all his works before being baptized, signifying that baptism is an act of allegiance to Christ and rejection of the devil’s rule. In this sense, Jesus’ baptism foreshadowed the spiritual battle He would wage, culminating in His victory at the cross.
For believers, baptism is likewise a declaration of war against sin and Satan. It is a visible sign of transferring allegiance from the dominion of darkness to the kingdom of Christ.
6. The Gospel Meaning of Jesus’ Baptism
The baptism of Jesus is not only a historical event but also a theological declaration. It teaches that:
Jesus identified with sinners though He was sinless.
He fulfilled God’s plan of righteousness through obedience.
The Spirit anointed Him as the promised Messiah.
The Father affirmed Him as the beloved Son.
His baptism anticipated the greater baptism He would give—baptism with the Spirit and incorporation into His body.
In all of this, the baptism of Jesus points to the Gospel. It proclaims that salvation comes through Christ, who shares our humanity, bears our sin, and gives us new life in the Spirit.
7. Why the Baptism of Jesus Still Matters
For the church today, the baptism of Jesus remains profoundly relevant. It shows that baptism is more than ritual—it is about obedience to God, identification with Christ, and empowerment for mission. Just as Jesus’ baptism launched His ministry, so the baptism of believers marks the beginning of a life of discipleship.
Baptism today carries the same meaning: it is a declaration of allegiance to Christ, a rejection of the devil, and a sign of new life. It unites believers to Christ’s death and resurrection (Romans 6:3–4) and equips them for the mission of the Gospel until Christ returns.
Conclusion: The One Who Baptizes with the Spirit
The one who gave baptism to Jesus was John the Baptist. But Jesus Himself redefined baptism, making it not just a sign of repentance but a participation in the life of the Spirit. His baptism marked Him as the beloved Son and Spirit-anointed Messiah who would bring salvation through His death and resurrection.
For believers, baptism means dying to sin, rising to new life, and living in allegiance to Christ. It is both a personal confession and a cosmic declaration of victory over the powers of darkness. The baptism of Jesus was the beginning of His ministry, but through His Spirit, He continues to baptize His people into new life today.
Bible Verses about the Baptism of Jesus
Matthew 3:13–17 – Jesus baptized by John in the Jordan.
Mark 1:9–11 – The Spirit descends on Jesus like a dove.
Luke 3:21–22 – The heavens open, and the Father speaks.
John 1:32–34 – John testifies that Jesus is the one who baptizes with the Spirit.
Isaiah 42:1 – “I have put my Spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations.”
Matthew 3:15 – “Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.”
Matthew 3:11 – “He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.”
Romans 6:3–4 – Baptism into Christ’s death and resurrection.
Colossians 2:12 – “Buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith.”
Acts 2:38 – “Repent and be baptized… and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
