The Spirit of God descending as a dove (πνευμα θεου καταβαινον ωσε περιστεραν). It is not certain whether Matthew means that the S…

Out of the water. This shows that he had descended to the river. It literally means, "he went up directly FROM the water." The or…

The heavens were opened — The narrative implies that our Lord and the Baptist were either alone or that they alone saw what is rec…

Then he suffered him. And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he s…

St. Ambrose of Milan: For, as we have said, when the Savior was washed, the water was cleansed for our baptism, so that a wa…

“As soon as” not only suggests that Jesus left the water immediately after his baptism but that the Spirit’s witness was equally prompt. “He saw” m…

And, behold, the heavens were opened to him. The opening of the heavens sometimes means a manifestation of heavenly glory, but he…

And Jesus, when he was baptized

Christ's gracious condescensions are so surprising that even the strongest believers at first can hardly believe them; so deep and mysterious that …

The Evangelist introduced John baptizing; now he introduces Christ coming to John’s baptism. Regarding this, he does two things:

1. He sets…