Charles Spurgeon Commentary Matthew 3:15

"But Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer [it] now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffereth him." — Matthew 3:15 (ASV)

Jesus answered John so completely that he ceased his opposition at once. It was fitting for both John and Jesus that our Lord should be baptized by him. This assurance satisfied the Baptist so far that, still under protest, he suffered him.

Baptism was fitting even for our Lord, who needed no personal purification, for He was the Head over all things to His Church, and it was fitting that He should be as the members should be. Baptism beautifully sets forth our Lord's immersion in suffering, His burial, and His resurrection. Thus, as a type, it fulfills all righteousness.

The ordinance is richest in meaning when rightly observed, and it is to be most reverently regarded, since our Lord Himself submitted to it. Shall I refuse to follow my Lord? Shall I think that there is nothing in an ordinance of which He said, Thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness?

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.

This means the Teacher must Himself obey the laws that He is about to establish; and since He is going to command others to be baptized, He will set the example and be baptized Himself.

I also think that the baptism of Christ was the picture, the type, the symbol of the work that He later accomplished. He was immersed in suffering; He died and was buried in the tomb; He rose again from the grave; and all this is symbolized in the outward symbol of His baptism in the River Jordan.

And Jesus answering said to him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness.

Nothing that pertains to righteousness must be neglected; the little as well as the great must be observed.

And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness. Then he suffered him.

We are never to be so modest as to become disobedient to Christ's commands. We have known some who have allowed their humility to grow alone in the garden of their heart without the other sweet flowers that should have sprung up side by side with it, and thus their very humility has developed into a kind of pride. John was easily persuaded to do what his feelings at first seemed to forbid: Then he suffered him.