Matthew 3:15 KJV
And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer [it to be so] now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.
Matthew 3:15 MKJV
And answering Jesus said to him, Allow [it] now, for it is becoming to us to fulfill all righteousness. Then he allowed Him.
Matthew 3:15 NKJV
But Jesus answered and said to him, “Permit [it to be so] now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he allowed Him.
Matthew 3:15 KJV 2000
And Jesus answering said unto him, Permit it to be so now: for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness. Then he permitted him.
Interlinear KJV
And /de/ Jesus /Iesous/ answering /apokrinomai/ said /epo/ unto /pros/ him, /autos/ Suffer /aphiemi/ it to be so now: /arti/ for /gar/ thus /houto/ it becometh /prepo/ /esti/ us /hemin/ to fulfil /pleroo/ all /pas/ righteousness. /dikaiosune/ Then /tote/ he suffered /aphiemi/ him. /autos/
Albert Barnes’ Commentary
Verse 15. Thus it becometh us. It is fit and proper. And though you may feel yourself unworthy, yet it is proper it should be done.
All righteousness. There was no particular precept in the Old Testament requiring this, but he chose to give the sanction of his example to the baptism of John, as to a Divine ordinance. The phrase “all righteousness,” here, is the same as a righteous institution or appointment. Jesus had no sin. But he was about to enter on his great work. It was proper that he should be set apart by his forerunner, and show his connection with him, and give his approbation to what John had done. Also, he was baptized that occasion might be taken, at the commencement of his work, for God publicly to declare his approbation of him, and his solemn appointment to the office of Messiah.
William Burkitt’s Commentary
These words contain our Saviour’s reason why he submitted to John’s baptism, because it became him to fulfill all righteousness; that is, to own every divine institution, particularly the righteousness of the ceremonial law, which required the washing of the priests in water when they entered upon their office, Ex 29:4.
Learn hence, 1. That whatever the law required in order to perfect righteousness, that Christ fulfilled in most absolute perfection.
2. That as it became Christ to fulfill the righteousness of the ceremonial law for himself, so it is our duty and interest to fulfill the righteousness of the moral law for ourselves, as evidence of our being righteous in God’s sight, He that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. 1Jn 3:7
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