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Epiphany · Year C

The Baptism of Our Lord (First Sunday after the Epiphany)

January 9, 2028

The Baptism of Christ, Sébastien Bourdon
The Baptism of Christ, Sébastien Bourdon, c. 1650The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
Christ stands in the river with his arms crossed on his breast while John pours the water and angels hold a white cloth, and above them the heavens open.And the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.Sébastien BourdonA French painter of great range, a founder of the Royal Academy in Paris and painter to Queen Christina of Sweden.The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New YorkThe Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, one of the largest art museums in the world.The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
LSB Three-Year Lectionary
GospelLuke 3:15-22Lk 3:15-22
EpistleRom. 6:1-11Rom 6:1-11
Old TestamentIsa. 43:1-7Is 43:1-7
PsalterPs. 29Ps 29

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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Take it further: Luke 3:15-22

Commentary

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

Notes that Luke tells us nothing about the form of the baptism, only that it happened while Jesus prayed.

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

A Reformed homiletical read on John's deflection and the Spirit's descent.

Luke 3 CommentaryLk 3 Commentary Enduring Word · David Guzik

Verse-by-verse evangelical notes on John's preaching and Jesus' baptism.

Luke 3:15 CommentariesLk 3:15 Commentaries BibleHub

A one-stop aggregator of classic public-domain commentaries on the passage.

Luke 3 (Barnes' Notes)Lk 3 (Barnes' Notes) StudyLight

Barnes' plain-sense notes give historical grounding for John's ministry.

Luke 3:15 InterlinearLk 3:15 Interlinear BibleHub

Greek text word by word for the Father's words and the Spirit's descent.

Background & Word Study

Luke 1-9 VideoLk 1-9 Video BibleProject

A visual walkthrough of the first half of Luke, where this scene sits.

The Church Fathers

Luke 3 CatenaLk 3 Catena Catena

Patristic comment on John's preaching and Jesus' baptism collected verse by verse.

Sermons & Reflections

Lectionary Essay for January 12: Baptism of the Lord The Christian Century

An essay on John's own sense of calling as a lens on this Sunday's baptism theme.

Worship & Prayers

First Sunday after the Epiphany, Year C The Lectionary Page

An Anglican liturgical page with the full propers for the day.

Podcast

#702: Baptism of Our Lord Working Preacher

Luther Seminary faculty talk through all four Baptism of Our Lord texts.

Art & Music

Baptism of the Lord, Year C Vanderbilt

Curated art keyed to this exact set of readings.

Study Hub

Luke 3:15-22Lk 3:15-22 Textweek

A broad link hub for anyone who wants to keep digging beyond this list.

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