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Epiphany Season · Baptism of the Lord · Year C

Luke 3:15-16, 21-22

The Baptism of Jesus

January 9, 2028

The Baptism of Christ, Piero della Francesca
The Baptism of Christ, Piero della Francesca, 1450sNational Gallery, London
An early Piero, painted for a chapel in his home town. The dove is foreshortened into a flat white shape that could be a cloud, and the Jordan reflects the Tuscan hills rather than Palestinian ones.It is the baptism itself, with the heavens opening handled so quietly that a first look misses it.Piero della FrancescaA painter and mathematician of the early Italian Renaissance (c. 1415-1492) who wrote treatises on perspective and painted with a stillness nobody has imitated successfully.National Gallery, LondonFounded in 1824 by buying one banker's collection, and deliberately placed in Trafalgar Square so that people from every part of London could walk to it.National Gallery, London
Roman Lectionary
GospelLuke 3:15-16, 21-22Lk 3:15-16, 21-22
Second ReadingTitus 2:11-14; 3:4-7Ti 2:11-14; 3:4-7 orActs 10:34-38
First ReadingIsa. 40:1-5, 9-11Is 40:1-5, 9-11 orIsa. 42:1-4, 6-7Is 42:1-4, 6-7
Responsorial PsalmPs. 104:1b-2, 3-4, 24-25, 27-28, 29b-30 (1)Ps 104:1b-2, 3-4, 24-25, 27-28, 29b-30 (1) orPs. 29:1-2, 3-4, 3, 9-10 (11b)Ps 29:1-2, 3-4, 3, 9-10 (11b)

Overview & Insights

"You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased." (Luke 3:22)

As the crowds wonder whether John might be the Messiah, John points ahead to one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire. After John's arrest is briefly noted, Jesus is baptized among the people, and as he prays the heavens open, the Spirit descends like a dove, and the Father's voice names him beloved Son.

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Commentary

Commentary on Luke 3:15-17, 21-22Commentary on Lk 3:15-17, 21-22 Working Preacher

Luther Seminary commentary on Jesus' baptism happening almost offstage, alongside all the people.

Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 CommentaryLk 3:15-17, 21-22 Commentary Center for Excellence in Preaching

Reformed preaching commentary on Jesus' baptism as the moment of his anointing for ministry.

Luke 3 CommentaryLk 3 Commentary Enduring Word · David Guzik

David Guzik's verse by verse exposition of John's preaching and Jesus' baptism.

Luke 3:15 CommentariesLk 3:15 Commentaries BibleHub

Aggregated classic commentary on the crowd's expectation and the voice from heaven.

Luke 3 - Barnes' NotesLk 3 - Barnes' Notes StudyLight

Barnes' Notes verse by verse on John's baptism of repentance and Jesus' own baptism.

Luke 3 CommentaryLk 3 Commentary Precept Austin

Deep verse by verse study notes gathering many conservative scholars on John's ministry and Jesus' baptism.

The Baptism of the Lord, Year C Catholic Productions · Brant Pitre

Dr. Brant Pitre's Catholic exegesis of Jesus as the beloved servant on whom the Spirit rests.

The Baptism of the Lord, Cycle C Loyola Press · Sunday Connection

Loyola Press background and reflection questions on Jesus' baptism and our own.

Background & Word Study

Luke 3:15 InterlinearLk 3:15 Interlinear BibleHub

Greek word by word with parsing for beloved, well pleased, and descended.

Luke 1-9 OverviewLk 1-9 Overview BibleProject

Animated literary overview of Luke's first chapters, showing Jesus' baptism launching his Spirit-empowered mission.

The Church Fathers

Luke 3 - Catena Bible & CommentariesLk 3 - Catena Bible & Commentaries Catena

Patristic comment chained verse by verse on the Spirit's descent and the Father's voice.

Worship & Prayers

First Sunday after the Epiphany (RCL) The Lectionary Page

Collect and full appointed texts for the Baptism of the Lord in the Revised Common Lectionary.

Podcast

Bishop Barron: Why Was Jesus Baptized? Word on Fire

Bishop Barron preaches this Sunday’s Mass readings, including Luke 3:15-16, 21-22.

Art & Music

Revised Common Lectionary Art Index Vanderbilt

Curated visual art, hymns, and music indexed to the appointed texts.

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