What does Matthew 3:14 mean?

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.


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