«And all the country of Judea and all Jerusalem went out to him and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins» (Mark 1:5).

The very word baptism (‘baptizo’) means to immerse or submerge in water. The existence of such a practice among the Jews was well known. However, St. John Chrysostom, comparing Jewish water purification with the baptism of John, says: “The baptism of John was far superior to the Jewish one.”

What made John’s baptism higher? First and foremost, the evangelists highlight a unique trait: «people were baptized … confessing their sins.» John did not simply immerse people in water for the sake of a ritual cleansing but required those coming to him to confess their sins. In the New Testament, John’s baptism is repeatedly called a baptism of repentance (Mark 1:4; Luke 3:3; Acts 19:4).

And, of course, there is more: John the Baptist himself viewed his baptism as preparatory, saying: «I baptize you with water, but One mightier than I is coming… He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire» (Luke 3:16). The Mightier One, who was to come, is our Lord Jesus Christ. It is evident that John, being a prophet, recognized Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah when he saw Him: «John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, ‘Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world'» (John 1:29).

So, ultimately, this is why John’s baptism is greater than any of the previous ones!

«But John tried to prevent Him, saying, ‘I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?'»

And indeed, this is true and righteous! It is true like the law itself!

Everyone who came to John at the Jordan was baptized, confessing their sins. But of Christ, it is said: «When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water» (Matthew 3:16). The word «immediately» indicates that, unlike all others being baptized, Christ stood in the water without saying anything, without confessing anything. And this was not only because of His moral purity but because of His absolute sinlessness!

But… Jesus answered him, «Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.» Then John allowed Him (Matthew 3:14–15).

Let us recall Christ’s words: «Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill» (Matthew 5:17).

And also: «The law and the prophets were in force until John; since then, the good news of the kingdom of God has been proclaimed, and everyone is urged to enter it.» (Luke 16:16).

All the prophets foretold and awaited the Messiah. All the Scriptures and all prophecies are about Him (John 5:39). The moment had arrived. The Messiah had come and was stepping into His ministry. The New Covenant was at hand.

And it sounds like this: «Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world» (John 1:29).

Not requiring any purification, being immaculate and sinless, He was baptized to become the Lamb of God – to take the sins of humanity upon Himself. In the [old] Slavonic language, the word baptism sounds like crucifixion…

The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord is also called Theophany.   The Holy Fathers point out that the creation of the world (and of humanity) and its salvation involve all Persons of the Holy Trinity. Regarding the creation of humanity, it is written: «Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness» (Genesis 1:26). Similarly, in the creation of the cosmos (the universe): the Father wills, the Son creates (Hebrews 1:2), and the Holy Spirit sanctifies: «And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters» (Genesis 1:2). The Baptism of Jesus at the Jordan mirrors creation: water as the primal element of the world, the Son accomplishing the work of salvation, the Father testifying to the Son’s divinity, and the Holy Spirit descending to anoint the Lord Jesus, in the form of a dove.

In the Old Testament culture, the dove was perceived as a symbol of meekness and innocence. Thus, the descent of the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove signifies that Christ’s ministry would be one of humility and gentleness (cf. Matthew 11:29). Additionally, the dove is associated with the good news of salvation, mercy, and forgiveness, as seen in the story of Noah, where a dove brought news of the flood’s end and the beginning of new life.

From this moment, the Messiah’s ministry was entrusted to the Lord Jesus – a public ministry manifest in preaching, miracles, healings, and ultimately, His Passion, Death and Resurrection.

«This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased» (Matthew 3:17). The Father’s goodwill, therefore, is to be understood as the full revelation of His love for His creation through the messianic ministry of the Son: «For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life» (John 3:16).

It is at such a price that the Lord renews creation, the price of our regeneration! «Behold, I make all things new,» — says the Book of Revelation (Revelation 21:5).

Concerning baptism by the Spirit, let us hear St. Gregory the Theologian: «This grace and power of Baptism do not submerge the world (in the flood of water) as in ancient times,» writes the saint in his homily on the Holy Baptism, «but cleanse sin in every person and completely wash away all impurity and defilement brought about by corruption. Since we are made of two natures—soul and body, the visible and the invisible—the cleansing is twofold: with water and the Spirit. One is received visibly and physically, while the other is accomplished invisibly and spiritually; one is symbolic, and the other is true, cleansing the very depths [of the soul and spirit].»

Concerning baptism by fire, let us hear the holy Apostle Paul: «For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for Himself a people that are His very own, eager to do what is good» (Titus 2:11–14). Amen!