ACC ~ John 1 v30 - 31

BETROTHAL THROUGH BAPTISM

EPHREM THE SYRIAN: Eliezar sought Rebekah as a bride at a well of water. [1] Jacob sought Rachel at a well of water, [2] as Moses did so with Zipporah. [3] Thus, all of these were types of the Lord, who sought his church as a bride by the baptism at the Jordan River. [4] And just as Eliezar made Rebekah known to his master when he came to meet her in the field, so also John made our Savior known at the Jordan: “See, the Lamb of God, for he takes away the sin of the world.” COMMENTARY ON TATIAN’S DIATESSARON 3.17. [5]

[1] See Gen 24:1-67.

[2] See Gen 29:1-20.

[3] See Ex 2:16-21.

[4] See Eph 5:22-23.

[5] CB709 add:20.

WHY JESUS WAS BAPTIZED

CHRYSOSTOM: Jesus then did not need baptism, nor did that washing have any other object than to prepare for all others a way to faith in Christ. For [the Baptist] did not say, “that I might cleanse those who are baptized” or “that I might deliver them from their sins” but “that he should be made known to Israel.” And why, tell me, could he not have preached without baptism and still brought the multitudes to him? But this would not have made it any easier. For they would not have all run together like they did, if the preaching had been without baptism. They would not by the comparison have learned his superiority. The multitude came together not to hear his words, but for what? They came to be “baptized, confessing their sins.” But when they came, they were taught the matters pertaining to Christ and the difference of his baptism. Yet even this baptism of John was of greater dignity than the Jewish one, and therefore all ran to it; yet even so it was imperfect. HOMILIES ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 17.2. [1]

[1] NPNF 1 14:59** (italics added).

JOHN’S BAPTISM DID NOT ENDURE

AUGUSTINE: John received the ministry of baptism so that by the water of repentance he might prepare the way for the Lord, not being himself the Lord. But where the Lord was known, it was superfluous to prepare for him the way, for to those who knew him he himself became the way. Therefore the baptism of John did not last long, but [it lasted long enough] to show our Lord’s humility…. And did the Lord need to be baptized? I instantly reply to any one who asks this question: Was it needful for the Lord to be born? Was it needful for the Lord to be crucified? Was it needful for the Lord to die? Was it needful for the Lord to be buried? If he undertook for us so great a humiliation, might he not also receive baptism?…

When the Lord was baptized with the baptism of John, the baptism of John ceased. John was then cast into prison. Afterwards we do not find that anyone is baptized with that baptism…. But if John had baptized the Lord alone, some would have thought that the baptism of John was more holy than that of Christ, as if Christ alone had been found worthy to be baptized with the baptism of John, but the human race with that of Christ…. And thus the baptism of the servant would appear greater than the baptism of the Lord. Others were also baptized with the baptism of John, [however,] so that the baptism of John might not appear better than the baptism of Christ. But the Lord also was baptized so that, through the Lord receiving the baptism of the servant, other servants might not disdain to receive the baptism of the Lord. This then is why John was sent. TRACTATES ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 4.12-14. [1]

[1] NPNF 1 7:29-30**.