Matthew 3:13–17, Part 1

Jesus Christ Was Baptized by John the Baptist

Jesus Christ being baptized by John the Baptist in the River Jordan

Jesus Christ came to John the Baptist to be baptized by him. This lesson can help you understand and explain the importance of baptism in the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Using the Book of Mormon to clarify truth. Help students receive a greater understanding of important doctrine taught in the Bible by turning to the Book of Mormon to confirm and clarify truth.

Student preparation: Invite students to prepare for class by thinking about how they would explain the importance of baptism to someone they love who is not a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Possible Learning Activities

The importance of baptism

Think of the people you love who are not members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Imagine that one of them were meeting with the missionaries. How would you feel? Imagine that the missionaries asked you to explain the importance of being baptized. Think about what you might say that could help your loved one take this essential step.

On a scale of 1 to 10 (1 = not prepared; 10 = extremely prepared), how prepared would you feel to explain the importance of baptism in a way that could help someone you love want to be baptized?

Consider inviting students to answer this question by raising the appropriate number of fingers on their hands.
What might you want to know more about baptism to feel better prepared to explain its importance?

Take note of the aspects of baptism students would like to know more about. While teaching, try to emphasize any material in the lesson that will help answer their questions.

In today’s lesson, you will have the opportunity to study the doctrine of baptism and address different questions on the topic. You will also have the chance to practice explaining what you learn.

Jesus Christ was baptized to show us the way

Consider displaying map 11, “The Holy Land in New Testament Times,” in the Bible Maps section of the Latter-day Saint edition of the King James Bible, or inviting students to look it up in their scriptures.

Jesus traveled from Galilee to Bethabara, likely on foot, to be baptized by John the Baptist (see Matthew 3:13; John 1:28; 1 Nephi 10:9). John held the keys of the Aaronic Priesthood and was baptizing people in the Jordan River (see Guide to the Scriptures, “John the Baptist,” scriptures.ChurchofJesusChrist.org). Using one of the scales on the map, estimate the distance the Savior traveled.

What might the Savior’s effort to be baptized by John teach you about Him and baptism?

Read Matthew 3:13–17, and imagine being present at the Savior’s baptism. Look for important details about the Savior and baptism that you would want to remember. The word “suffer” in verse 15 means “to permit or allow.” You may also want to watch the video “The Baptism of Jesus” (2:54), available on ChurchofJesusChrist.org, and follow along in your scriptures.

2:54

If you were present at the Savior’s baptism, what would you want to remember from the experience?
What do you think you would have learned about the Savior and baptism?

Some of the truths students may discover may center on the Godhead. If “Matthew 3:13–17, Part 2” will be the next lesson taught, consider informing students that the Godhead will be discussed in greater detail then.

Think about what you might share with your friend or family member about Jesus Christ’s baptism that may help him or her.

It may also be useful to consider what questions your friend or family member might have about baptism. Some of their questions may be answered in Matthew 3. In addition, the Book of Mormon is an inspired resource that clarifies many truths about baptism. The following questions are examples of questions that someone who does not understand the importance of baptism might have. Select one question that you think your friend or family member might have. Then study the associated verses in the Book of Mormon and see how they may help you answer that question.

Consider writing the following questions and scripture references on the board.

Even though Jesus was baptized, do I need to be? Why or why not? (See 2 Nephi 9:21, 23–24; 2 Nephi 31:5, 10–11.)
Why would I want to be baptized? What blessings would I receive? (See 2 Nephi 31:12–13, 17–18.)
Jesus went to John the Baptist to be baptized. Who could baptize me? (See 3 Nephi 11:19–22.)
Jesus was baptized in the Jordan River and came up out of the water. Do I have to go completely under the water, or is there another way to be baptized? (See 2 Nephi 31:13; 3 Nephi 11:23–26.)
If I’m baptized to be cleansed from sin, why was Jesus baptized? Wasn’t He sinless? (See 2 Nephi 31:5–11.)

Using what you have learned from Matthew 3:13–17 and the Book of Mormon, write how you would explain the importance of baptism to your family member or friend.

When students have finished their study, have them role-play how they would explain the importance of baptism to their friends or family members.

If you feel inspired, consider sharing your explanation with a friend or family member who has not been baptized as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Sharing with someone who has already been baptized could also be a worthwhile activity.

Commentary and Background Information

Matthew 3:13. Why did Jesus go to John for baptism?

Joseph Smith explained the authority that rested with John the Baptist when he said:

John, at that time, was the only legal administrator in the affairs of the kingdom there was then on the earth, and holding the keys of power. The Jews had to obey his instructions or be damned, by their own law. … The son of Zacharias wrested the keys, the kingdom, the power, the glory from the Jews, by the holy anointing and decree of heaven.

(Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith [2007], 81–82; see also Doctrine and Covenants 84:23–28)

How do we know that baptism is essential?

The Savior taught about the essential nature of baptism when He told Nicodemus that it was required for entrance to the kingdom of God (see John 3:5). The Prophet Joseph Smith also taught that baptism was crucial to salvation:

Repent of all your sins, and be baptized in water for the remission of them, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, and receive the ordinance of the laying on of the hands of him who is ordained and sealed unto this power, that ye may receive the Holy Spirit of God; and this is according to the Holy Scriptures, and the Book of Mormon; and the only way that man can enter into the celestial kingdom.

(Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith [2007], 154)

How can the Book of Mormon clarify the doctrine of baptism taught in the Bible?

Elder Tad R. Callister of the Presidency of the Seventy taught:

Again and again the Book of Mormon acts as a confirming, clarifying, unifying witness of the doctrines taught in the Bible so that there is only “one Lord, one faith, one baptism.” …

There exist various modes of baptisms in the world today even though the Bible tells us the manner in which the Savior, our great Exemplar, was baptized: “[He] went up straightway out of the water” (Matthew 3:16). Could He have come up out of the water unless He first went down into the water? Lest there be any discord on this subject, the Book of Mormon dispels it with this straightforward statement of doctrine as to the proper manner of baptism: “And then shall ye immerse them in the water” (3 Nephi 11:26).

(Tad R. Callister, “The Book of Mormon—a Book from God,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2011, 75–76)

Supplemental Learning Activities

Alternate ways to begin the lesson

Option 1

Consider creating a maze for students to complete on paper or on the board that has only one possible solution. Students could be invited to think about what spiritual lessons can be learned from this activity. What is the significance of having only one way to complete the maze? Consider using the information in the following paragraph to introduce the topic of baptism as an essential part of the way to return to our heavenly home. Though the circumstances in our lives can be very different, there is only one way to return to our Heavenly Father, and that way is made possible through our Savior Jesus Christ (see John 14:6; Mosiah 3:9, 17). Through His example and teachings, Jesus Christ showed that a crucial part of our journey is the ordinance of baptism (see John 3:5; Doctrine and Covenants 76:50–55).

Option 2

Write the word Baptism on the board. Invite students to write down questions about baptism starting with the words Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How. Invite students to look for answers to these questions while studying the baptism of Jesus Christ.

Using the Savior’s words in the Book of Mormon to teach about baptism

Consider inviting students to use the Savior’s words to explain the ordinance of baptism. Students could be asked to look in the Book of Mormon for what Jesus Christ taught about baptism. The following scriptures could be used: 3 Nephi 11:21–28; 3 Nephi 27:20.

Using doctrine and attributes of Jesus Christ to understand baptism

Consider displaying the following scenarios and allowing students to choose one individual whose concerns about baptism they can help resolve.

Noelle wants to be baptized, but nobody in her immediate family holds the Aaronic or Melchizedek Priesthood.
Makai wants to be baptized but is afraid of going underwater. He is willing to go underwater except for his head.
The missionaries have invited Mason to be baptized. He does not understand why baptism is important.
Nicole wants to know why people are baptized. What good does it do?

Students could work alone or in small groups to study Matthew 3:13–17; 2 Nephi 31:5–12, 17–18; and 3 Nephi 11:19–22, looking for truths that may help the individuals in the scenarios.

Give students an opportunity to share their responses to the scenarios.