It is especially to be noted here that Christ, the Son of God, who is holier than Baptism itself, nevertheless has Himself baptized and further enjoins that this Baptism be continued in the Church from then on, and all who wish to be saved are also to be baptized [cf. Matt. 28:19; Mark 16:16]. From this it follows that they must be accursed people down in the pit of hell whom God has put to shame and blinded so that they do not have ears and eyes enough to be able to [hear and] see what happens here, who either despise Baptism or scoff at it. For why would you not have yourself or your children baptized when the Son of God has Himself baptized? … Should you not ascribe all honor to Baptism, even if it were useful for nothing else, simply because of this man, since you know for certain that the Son of God Himself was baptized, so that in His honor you would also be baptized even if this Baptism were of no other benefit to you?
What Is Gifted to You in Baptism?
Yet here it also states what one can expect from this Baptism, and how it is to benefit us. For here we see that God in heaven poured Himself out over this Baptism of His Son. For as the evangelist says, John sees the heavens open [Matt. 3:16]. This is surely a sign that our dear Lord God loves Baptism, which the Son of God Himself sanctifies with His body. This is why the heavens, which were previously closed, open, and now, because of the Baptism of Christ, a veritable gate and window are made so that we can look in, and from then on there is no longer any barrier between God and us, since God Himself comes down here at the Jordan. Is this not a great manifestation? Therefore, if people wish to have a feast of the manifestation, why not let it be this manifestation, where God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit manifested Himself so mightily?
For here the Holy Spirit also comes in a friendly shape, like an innocent dove—which is the friendliest of all birds and has in itself no wrath whatsoever—as a sign that He, the Holy Spirit, will not be wrathful toward us either, but will help us through Christ to become good and be saved, for which reason He comes in such a gracious shape. Likewise, the Son of God, who does not need it personally, is also here in the flesh and has Himself baptized not only for an example but also for grace, that we should partake of this baptizing and believe that by it we have a gracious God.
God’s Voice Speaking in Baptism
Now concerning the fact that God the Father also manifests Himself and causes Himself to be heard with this voice (“This is My beloved Son, in whom I take full delight” [Matt. 3:17])—this is a different voice from that on Mount Sinai, at which the earth shook and the mountains trembled and the people were afraid that they would die [cf. Exod. 19:18; 20:18–19]. Here it is not with such a frightening voice that God makes Himself heard. Rather, nothing is heard but sheer friendliness, grace, and mercy. It is as if God would say, “O men, you have here a man who is baptized. If you wish to know who He is, He is My beloved Son, in whom I take full delight and am truly well pleased. Therefore, you certainly need not be afraid of Him, for here He stands, naked as any other man, without sword and worldly authority. You need not be afraid of Me either, for now I come not with thunder and lightning, cannons and trumpets, as on Mount Sinai, but with a friendly appearance and gracious manner.” And so it is in truth, for what is unfriendly here? The Son of God, who is without sin and completely innocent, stands in the Jordan here and is baptized. The Holy Spirit also comes in a friendly form as a dove. Likewise, God speaks to us in the friendliest manner and declares to us how He is sending us not an apostle, prophet, or angel, but His Son, in whom He is thoroughly well pleased.
This, I believe, is a command to look at the Son, since God did not think it bothersome to declare to us all that His Son is with us, as if He meant to say, “If you wish to have a gracious Father in Me, you can easily do so. Simply cling to My Son, whom I cannot hate, and you also will be beloved to Me for His sake. Therefore, listen to Him, and do what He tells you. For He needs Baptism for Himself as little as circumcision, since He is entirely without sin. Now, it was for the sake of sinners that the Baptism of John was ordained by Me, so that all who confess their sins, mourn them, and wish to be freed from them should come to this Baptism and believe with certainty that I will be gracious to them. But why does My Son, who is not a sinner, have Himself baptized? Not for His own sake but for all of you, who are sinners. For He has taken your sins upon Himself. He will be released from these all and lay them aside, and it is for this reason that He is baptized.”
Understanding the Depth of Our Baptism
The evangelist indicates this very nicely when he says that Christ, when John prevented Him, said, “Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness” [Matt. 3:15]. This is as much as saying, “The righteousness of the whole world depends on this Baptism. For since I now have and bear upon Myself the sin of the whole world, if the world is to be saved, I must do what God has commanded sinners to do, namely, to be baptized by you. Do not prevent it, but rather, as I eagerly desire to have Myself baptized for poor sinners, be eager to assist in this also and baptize Me, that God’s wrath may be stilled and sin laid aside.” In the same way, the Father says from heaven here: “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” [v. 17]. This He says at the very moment when Christ had Himself baptized for our comfort, that we should receive this Baptism as our own and believe with certainty that God’s wrath is stilled and our sins are laid aside by this Baptism of Christ, and that God will further be satisfied with us because of His Son.
We ought to follow this voice, if possible, overcoming all obstacles and thus never letting this extraordinary manifestation out of our sight or heart, namely, that our Lord God tears open the heavens, sends down the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove, and God the Father personally makes Himself heard with such a sweet voice, saying, “Here you have My Son, My heart and highest treasure and all that I am.” But what does the Son do? He acts as a poor, needy sinner and submits to being baptized by John at the Jordan, so that the whole Godhead here manifests itself in the most gracious and friendliest manner, according to the distinction of the persons, in three forms, so that everyone may know that when you cling to the Lord Christ and receive His Word and take comfort in His work, you are pleasing to God. For it says here that whatever He commands, says, or does, it is all the Father’s heartfelt desire.
Blog post adapted from Luther’s Works, American Edition, vol. 80: House Postil I © 2026 Concordia Publishing House. All rights reserved.
Read more of Luther’s Sermons on various topics, such as Baptism, in Luther’s Works, Volume 80: House Postil I.
