Matthew 3:15

15 Jesus answered him, "Allow it for now, because this is the way for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then he allowed Him [to be baptized].

Matthew 3:15 Meaning and Commentary

Matthew 3:15

And Jesus answering, said unto him
This is an Hebrew way of speaking, often used in the Old Testament, and answers to (rmayw) (Ney) ; see ( Job 3:1 ) . He replied to John, who had made use of very forbidding words, after this manner,

suffer it to be so now;
let me have my request; do not go on to object, but comply with my desire; let it be done now, immediately, directly, at this present time; do not put me off with any excuse; it is a proper season for it, even "now", since the time is not yet come that I am to baptize with the Holy Ghost; and besides, thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. It became John to administer the ordinance of baptism to Christ, as he was his forerunner, and the only administrator of it, and that he might fulfil the ministry which he had received; and as it became Christ to fulfil all righteousness, moral and ceremonial, and baptism being a part of his Father's will, which he came to do, it became him to fulfil this also. And since it became Christ, it cannot be unbecoming us to submit to this ordinance; and since he looked upon it as a part of righteousness to be fulfilled by him, it ought to be attended to by all those who would be accounted followers of him. Christ having strongly urged the conveniency and equity of the administration of baptism to him, which showed his eager desire after it, and the lowliness of his mind; and John being convinced, and overcome by the force of his reasoning, agrees to his baptism;

then he suffered him,
i.e. to be baptized in water by him, as he had requested, and accordingly did administer it to him.

Matthew 3:15 In-Context

13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him.

14 But John tried to stop Him, saying, "I need to be baptized by You, and yet You come to me?"

15 Jesus answered him, "Allow it for now, because this is the way for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then he allowed Him [to be baptized].

16 After Jesus was baptized, He went up immediately from the water. The heavens suddenly opened for Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming down on Him.

17 And there came a voice from heaven: This is My beloved Son. I take delight in Him!