Charles Spurgeon Commentary Matthew 3:14

"But John would have hindered him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?" — Matthew 3:14 (ASV)

This was very natural. John knew Jesus to be eminently more holy than himself, and therefore he protested against appearing to be His purifier. John was strong in this protest. He forbade him. It seemed to him to be out of order for him to baptize one so supremely good.

Although he was not yet assured from heaven that Jesus was the Messiah (for he had not yet seen the Spirit descending and resting upon Him), yet he shrewdly guessed that Jesus was indeed the Christ. He knew Him to be a very special favorite of heaven, superior to himself, and he therefore expected that sign by which he had been assured the Christ would be known.

John never shirked a duty, but he declined an honor. He would not even seem to be of any consequence as compared with his Lord. Blessed Jesus, teach us such humility!