Online Resource Library
Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadCambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges - Matthew 3:6 - 3:6
(Show All Books | Show All Chapters)
This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
6. ἐβαπτίζοντο were ‘immersed;’ (the tense marks the successive instances). βαπτίζω, a strengthened form of βάπτω, like some other leading Christian words (e.g. Χριστός, ἀγάπη, μετάνοια), is rare in the Classics; it is used in different figurative senses by Plato, e.g. of a boy ‘drowned with questions,’ Euthyd. 277 D; in Polyb. literally of ships sinking, in Diod. Sic. both literally and metaphorically: ὁ ποταμὸς πολλοὺς ἐβάπτιζε, II. 143; and οὐ βαπτίζουσι ταῖς εἰσφοραῖς τοὺς ἰδιώτας, I. 85. Note the revival of the literal meaning in the later stage of the language.
In baptizing John introduced no new custom, for ceremonial ablution or baptism was practised in all ancient religions. Cp. Soph. Aj. 654–656, ἀλλʼ εἶμι πρός τε λουτρὰ καὶ παρακτίους | λειμῶνας, ὡς ἂν λύμαθʼ ἁγνίσας ἐμὰ | μῆνιν βαρεῖαν ἐξαλύξωμαι θεᾶς, where see Prof. Jebb’s note. Among the Jews proselytes were baptized on admission to the Mosaic covenant. John’s baptism was the outward sign of the purification and ‘life-giving change,’ and contained the promise of forgiveness of sins. Christ too adopted the ancient custom and enriched it with a new significance, and a still mightier efficacy. From the history of the word it is clear that the primitive idea of baptism was immersion. This was for long the only recognised usage in the Christian Church, and much of the figurative force was lost when sprinkling was substituted for immersion. The convert who entered the clear rushing stream, soiled, weary, and scorched by the hot Eastern sun, and then after being hidden from the sight for a few moments ‘buried in baptism’ reappeared, fresh, vigorous, and cleansed, having put off ‘the filth of the flesh,’ seemed indeed to have risen to a new and purified life in Christ. ἐν τῷ Ἰορδάνῃ ποταμῷ. Two points on the Jordan are named in John. See note on Mat 3:13.
ἐξομολογεῖσθαι. ‘To acknowledge or declare fully,’ used either (1) of confession as here, and Mar 1:5; Act 19:18; or (2) of thanks and praise as in ch. Mat 11:25; Luk 10:21; Rom 15:9.