Jesus came from Galilee to John the Baptist at the Jordan River to be baptized by him (Mat.3:13-17). John, who did not think himself worthy to carry Jesus’ sandals, believed that Jesus should baptize him! He tried to prevent it until Jesus said, “Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” What Jesus meant by these words no one knows for sure. What we do know is that Jesus was sinless, and so He did not need John’s baptism which was unto repentance. So, the significance of Jesus being baptized by John is probably related to the commencement of His earthly ministry. Jesus carried out His ministry in the power of the Holy Spirit, and it was at His baptism that the Spirit came upon him (vs.16). It was also at this time that God the Father made clear that Jesus of Nazareth was indeed the Messiah, the Son of God. After the Spirit came upon Jesus we read, “And suddenly a voice came from heaven saying, ‘This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.’”