Bible Study - Commentaries
Matthew 3:6

from Kaniyamparmabil Achen, the Great Teacher of Malankara

Verse - Matthew 3:6 - "And he baptized them in the river Jordan, while they confessed their sins"

This baptism was the forerunner of the one to come. People heard his teaching and those who repented confessed their sins and are baptized as an act of atonement. But this baptism was an act of repentance. Because the baptized did not get gift of Spirit. The OT incidence like flood, the crossing of red sea and difference washing in the Law were all the precursor of the baptism. (Exodus 29:1; Levites 12; 1; 16:34; Numbers 19:7-8). Gentiles who wished to become Jews were baptized. It shows that just like water washes away dirt, baptism rejuvenates a person anew. St.Christotum “ “. We can see about washing and repentance in Isaiah 1; 16 and Zechariah 13; 1. John’s baptism and Christian baptism were different. John’s was a preparatory one. It did not give gift of Spirit. It was never considered equal to Christian baptism. (Acts 18:25, 19:3). It could not born again in Holly Spirit. St. John Crisostom says ; ‘ Confession of sins is a witnessing of a soul who fears God.’ We can see about washing and repentance in Isaiah 1:16 and Zachariah 13:1. The Baptism of John and Christian baptism are different. John’s was a just a preparation and it did not give the gift of the Spirit. It was not considered as equal to Christian baptism.( Acts 18:25-19:3) . It could not give rebirth with the Gift of Spirit. St. John Crisostom says ‘ With John’s baptism , sins were not forgiven. Because till that time, the sacrifice for us was not offered and so our curse was not removed or sins were not forgiven. But John’s baptism was one that lead the way to the Baptism given by the Lord.”

Jordan River

This is the longest river in Palestine. It issues from the side of Mount Hermon by three principal sources. The areas are from the steam in Hasbeya, Dan and from a cave in Cæsarea Philippi and river enters Lake of Tiberias. From it flows from 65miles and enters Dead Sea. The straight distance from source to end is 105 miles. But because of numerous but the Jordan, owing to its sinuosities, has a course of 300 miles. It is between 90 to 200 feet wide. It has two tributaries. They are Yarmuk and Jabbok. There are many bridges over. A board is kept near the bridge where Highway from Damascus to Jerusalem crosses river. The board says “The place where our Lord was baptized “. There are many incidences in OT relating to Jordan like, the Jordan valley that Loth selected, bathing in the river etc healed Nayaman.
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