Jesus Is Baptized
Jesus is baptized by John in the Jordan River. The heavens open, the Spirit descends like a dove, and the Father speaks.
Matthew 3:13-17, Mark 1:9-11, Luke 3:21-22
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The Story
Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But John tried to deter him, saying, 'I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?'
Jesus replied, 'Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.' Then John consented.
As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, 'This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.'
This moment marked the beginning of Jesus' public ministry. All three persons of the Trinity were present—the Son being baptized, the Spirit descending, the Father speaking. Jesus had no sins to confess, yet He identified with sinful humanity, foreshadowing His ultimate identification with us at the cross.
John had been preparing the way, calling people to repentance. Now the One he had announced was here. 'Look,' John would say, 'the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!'
Jesus Gets Baptized
Kids Version
Before Jesus started teaching and doing miracles, He went to the Jordan River. A man named John the Baptist was there, baptizing people who wanted to turn away from their sins.
Jesus walked up to John. 'Will you baptize Me?'
John was shocked! 'ME baptize YOU? It should be the other way around! You should baptize ME!'
But Jesus said, 'This is the right thing to do. Please.'
So John baptized Jesus in the river.
When Jesus came up out of the water, something AMAZING happened!
The sky opened up! The Holy Spirit came down like a gentle dove and landed on Jesus.
Then a voice boomed from heaven—GOD'S voice!
'This is My SON! I LOVE Him! I am SO pleased with Him!'
Wow! God the Father spoke from heaven. God the Son stood in the water. God the Spirit came down like a dove. All three were there together!
This was the start of Jesus' ministry. Now everyone would see who He really was—the Son of God who came to save the world.
When we get baptized, we're showing everyone that we belong to Jesus too!
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Characters in This Story
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Scripture — Matthew 3:13-17 (KJV)
13Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him.
14But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?
15And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.
16And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:
17And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
Memory Verse
“Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him.”
— Matthew 3:13 (KJV)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the story of “Jesus Is Baptized” in the Bible?
Jesus is baptized by John in the Jordan River. The heavens open, the Spirit descends like a dove, and the Father speaks. This story is found in Matthew 3:13-17, Mark 1:9-11, Luke 3:21-22.
Where is “Jesus Is Baptized” found in the Bible?
“Jesus Is Baptized” is found in Matthew 3:13-17, Mark 1:9-11, Luke 3:21-22, in the book of Matthew.
What can children learn from “Jesus Is Baptized”?
This story teaches children about Trinity, Obedience, Identity, Beginning of ministry. Jesus was baptized by John in the Jordan River. God's voice came from heaven saying, 'This is My Son!' and the Holy Spirit came down like a dove.