Epiphany Season · Year A
Baptism of the Lord
If Epiphany is celebrated on Sunday Jan. 7 or 8, then the "Baptism of the Lord" is the next day on Monday, and "Ordinary Time" starts Tuesday. · January 11, 2026
Overview & Insights
“This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:17)
Having narrated Jesus’ birth, Matthew fast-forwards to the events leading up to Jesus’ public ministry, including Jesus’ baptism by John (chap. 3). Matthew indicates that John the Baptist’s ministry prepares for that of Jesus (3:3; cf. Isa. 40:3) and also resonates with Jesus’ ministry, as themes of repentance, warnings of judgment, and Gentile inclusion in the coming kingdom of God resound. Jesus as God’s son has already been introduced at 2:15, where Jesus’ sonship is compared to that of Israel’s (“Out of Egypt I called my son”). Now the motif of Jesus as the faithful Son of God is highlighted at his baptism (3:13–17) and will be contrasted with Israel’s unfaithfulness in the temptation narrative that follows (chap. 4).
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Take it further: Matthew 3:13-17
Commentary
Commentary on Matthew 3:13-17 (Working Preacher)Commentary on Mt 3:13-17 (Working Preacher) Working Preacher
Luther Seminary exegesis on Jesus fulfilling all righteousness and the voice from heaven naming him the beloved Son.
Matthew 3:13-17 CommentaryMt 3:13-17 Commentary Center for Excellence in Preaching
Reformed commentary on Jesus identifying with sinners in baptism and John witnessing the heavenly revelation.
Enduring Word Bible Commentary Matthew Chapter 3Enduring Word Bible Commentary Mt Chapter 3 Enduring Word · David Guzik
David Guzik's verse-by-verse notes on John's baptism and the descent of the Spirit at Jesus' baptism.
Matthew 3:13 CommentariesMt 3:13 Commentaries BibleHub
Classic commentators gathered on Jesus coming from Galilee to be baptized by John.
Matthew 3 Commentary (Precept Austin)Mt 3 Commentary (Precept Austin) Precept Austin
A deep resource hub collecting many commentaries, sermons, and word studies on the baptism of Jesus.
Background & Word Study
Gospel of Matthew Overview (BibleProject)Gospel of Mt Overview (BibleProject) BibleProject
Animated book overview mapping the literary design and theology of Matthew's Gospel.
Matthew 3:13 InterlinearMt 3:13 Interlinear BibleHub
Greek word-by-word interlinear with parsing for Jesus coming to be baptized, including the verb to fulfill.
The baptism of Jesus in Matthew 3 as fulfilment of the Old TestamentThe baptism of Jesus in Mt 3 as fulfilment of the Old Testament Psephizo · Ian Paul
Ian Paul's Anglican study reading the baptism against its Old Testament and Isaianic servant background.
Sermons & Reflections
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