Why John the Baptist Baptized Jesus: History, Symbolism, and Modern Relevance
John the Baptist baptized Jesus in about the year 30 at the beginning of Jesus’s public ministry. This event was both strange and wonderful. John baptizing Jesus was strange because he said Jesus should be baptizing him. The event was wonderful because when Jesus was baptized, the sky parted and God said, “This is my son in whom I am well pleased.”
John the Baptist knew who Jesus was when he baptized him; he typically did not know the individuals whom he baptized. This was the second time John the Baptist recognized Jesus. When they were both in the womb, Mary, Jesus’s mother, visited Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist. John the Baptist was said to have leaped for joy in the womb. Do you feel this incident means that the fetus knows what is going on?
John the Baptist Baptizes Jesus
Jesus was baptized in about the year 30. John had been baptizing thousands of people in the Jordan River, screaming that they should repent. He said one was coming after him whom he was not fit to untie the straps of his sandals.
When Jesus showed up at the River Jordan to get baptized, John knew who he was. This was unusual because he had baptized thousands of people. He told Jesus that Jesus should baptize him. Nevertheless, he did the baptism, and the skies parted, and God spoke. He said Jesus was his son, and he was pleased with him.
Symbolism and Meaning
This was a highly symbolic event. Jesus did not need to get baptized, but he went to the Jordan River to see the Baptist with the intention. The intention was for us. He wanted God to tell everyone that he was God’s son. The baptism was also for the hundreds gathered by the river. They witnessed a miracle and the start of Jesus’ public ministry.
John was arrested shortly after he baptized Jesus. He was imprisoned and beheaded. No one knows for sure whether this event influenced his arrest, but hundreds of witnesses saw the event and certainly drew attention to him. He was arrested shortly thereafter, so there may have been a relationship.
Cultural Impact
The cultural impact of this event was high. Several world religions recognize that John the Baptist baptized Jesus in the Jordan River in about the year 30. Various religions also agree that John was arrested shortly thereafter and beheaded. In fact, several world religions consider both men martyrs and important religious figures.
Modern Relevance
The Baptism of Jesus is also significant today. Christians, all of them, are baptized. This is because Christians believe that baptism redeems people from the Original Sin committed by Adam and Eve. Since this has happened thousands of times a year to this day, it is modernly relevant.
Parting Shots
The baptism of Jesus is typically considered the end of the Christmas season. At most Catholic churches, the Altar is decorated with poinsettias, which the priest encourages parishioners to take home with them. The decorations at the church come down.
