The baptism of Jesus is mentioned in all four Gospels. It is John the Baptist who baptizes Jesus. Although John feels unworthy to baptize Him, Jesus allows it. Jesus is baptized by John in the waters of the Jordan River. When Jesus emerges from the water, the heavens open, and the Holy Spirit descends down upon Jesus in the form of a dove. God’s voice comes from heaven and says, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” After Jesus’ baptism, John testifies that Jesus is the Son of God.
Jesus will be the source of the Spirit for all mankind. At his baptism “the heavens were opened” – the heavens that Adam’s sin had closed – and the waters were sanctified by the descent of Jesus and the Spirit, a prelude to the new creation. Source: Catechism of the Catholic Church #536
The Baptism of Jesus
It happened in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized in the Jordan by John. Mark 1:9
| Description | St. Matthew | St. Mark | St. Luke | St. John |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jesus approaches John | Mt 3:13 | Jn 1:29 | ||
| Jesus greater than John | Mt 3:14 | Jn 1:30 | ||
| John baptizes Jesus | Mt 3:15 | Mk 1:9 | Lk 3:21 | Jn 1:32 |
| The heavens open | Mt 3:16 | Mk 1:10 | Lk 3:21 | |
| Holy Spirit descends | Mt 3:16 | Mk 1:10 | Lk 3:22 | Jn 1:32 |
| The Father is pleased | Mt 3:17 | Mk 1:11 | Lk 3:22 | |
| John testifies to Jesus | Jn 1:31 | |||
| John testifies further | Jn 1:33 | |||
| Jesus is the Son of God | Jn 1:34 |
“Christ is the first to be baptized, then, so that Christians will follow after him with confidence.” + St. Maximus of Turin
