The Baptism of Jesus

Matthew 3:13-17

Verse 13
Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan River. He came to John so that John would baptize him.

Verse 14
But John tried to stop him. He said, “I need to be baptized by you. Why do you come to me?”

Verse 15
Jesus replied, “Let it be this way for now. It is right for us to do all that God requires.” Then John agreed to baptize Jesus.

Verse 16
After Jesus was baptized, he came up out of the water. At that moment, heaven opened, and he saw the Spirit of God coming down like a dove and resting on him.

Verse 17
Then a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love. I am very pleased with him.”

Vocabulary

1. Baptize – To wash someone with water as a sign of a new life with God.
2. Require – To need or command something to be done.
3. Heaven – The place where God lives.
4. Spirit – The invisible presence and power of God.
5. Pleased – Feeling happy or satisfied with something.

Grammar & Examples

1. Passive Voice (was baptized)

   • Jesus was baptized by John in the Jordan River.

2. Direct and Indirect Speech

   • John said, “I need to be baptized by you.” (Direct Speech)
   • John said that he needed to be baptized by Jesus. (Indirect Speech)

3. Prepositional Phrase (came up out of the water)

   • After the ceremony, she came up out of the water with joy.