Matthew 3:14 KJV
But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?
Matthew 3:14 NKJV
And John [tried to] prevent Him, saying, “I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?”
Matthew 3:14 MKJV
But John restrained Him, saying, I have need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?
Matthew 3:14 KJV 2000
But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized by you, and come you to me?
Interlinear KJV
But /de/ John /Ioannes/ forbad /diakoluo/ him, saying, /lego/ I /ego/ have /echo/ need /chreia/ to be baptized /baptizo/ of /hupo/ thee, /sou/ and /kai/ comest /erchomai/ thou /su/ to /pros/ me /me/?
Albert Barnes’ Commentary
Verse 14. John forbad him.
I have need. It is more fit that I should be baptized with thy baptism, the Holy Ghost, than that thou shouldest be baptized in water by me. I am a sinner, and unworthy to administer this to the Messiah.
William Burkitt’s Commentary
Note here, 1. The modesty of John’s refusal: John forbade him, and refused to admit him. But why? 1. In regard of Christ, because he knew he needed it not: such was his majesty and greatness, that he was above it: and such was his purity and holiness, that he could not want it.
2. In respect of himself, he knew his own uncleanness: I have need to be baptized of thee, &c. He thought it unsuitable that a sinner should baptize and wash him that was no sinner.
3. With respect to the people; lest they seeing Christ baptized should apprehend him to be a sinner and one that wanted the baptism of repentance as well as themselves.
Observe, 4. As the modesty of John’s refusal, so the reason he assigns for it: I have need to be baptized of thee; as if he had said, “Thou art purity, I am pollution; thou art spirit, I am flesh; humble apprehension has this holy man of himself.
Learn, That the more holy a person is, the more sensible he is of his unholiness; where there is most grace, there is the greatest sense of the want of grace.
Mt ch 3 | Mt 3:1 | Mt 3:2 | Mt 3:3 | Mt 3:4 | Mt 3:5 | Mt 3:6 | Mt 3:7 | Mt 3:8 | Mt 3:9 | Mt 3:10 | Mt 3:11 | Mt 3:12 | Mt 3:13 | Mt 3:14 | Mt 3:15 | Mt 3:16 | Mt 3:17 |