Deity of Christ
Jesus was baptized, so he must have been a sinner.
Short answer
This argument assumes Jesus was baptized because he needed forgiveness. But the text says otherwise. John the Baptist tried to stop him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you." Jesus explained he was being baptized "to fulfill all righteousness," not to confess sin. His baptism expressed his full obedience to the Father and launched his mission.
In simple words: Jesus didn't get baptized because he did anything wrong. He did it to obey God and to show he was starting his work to save us.
Response
A viral video argued that Jesus must have been a sinner, because baptism is for washing away sins, and Jesus was baptized.
Tim Barnett of Red Pen Logic points out the hidden assumption: "It assumes the reason Jesus was baptized was he needed his sins forgiven." If that assumption is false, the argument falls apart. And Matthew's account shows that it is false.
John the Baptist did not see Jesus as a fellow sinner. He said the one coming after him was so much greater that John wasn't worthy to carry his sandals (Matthew 3:11). When Jesus came to be baptized, John tried to stop him: "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?" (Matthew 3:14).
Most importantly, Jesus himself explains why: "It is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness" (Matthew 3:15). He says nothing about sin or repentance. In Matthew, righteousness means a life fully aligned with God's will. Jesus' baptism was an act of perfect obedience.
Christians have also long seen other purposes in it. At his baptism Jesus identified with the sinners he came to save, taking his place among them as he would at the cross (Isaiah 53:12). And it publicly launched his ministry: the Spirit descended on him, and the Father declared, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased" (Matthew 3:17). God doesn't say that about a sinner in need of cleansing.
The rest of the New Testament is clear: Jesus "had no sin" (2 Corinthians 5:21), was tempted in every way "yet did not sin" (Hebrews 4:15), and could challenge his enemies, "Can any of you prove me guilty of sin?" (John 8:46).
Key evidence
- The argument assumes baptism was for Jesus' own forgiveness; Matthew 3 shows otherwise.
- John the Baptist tried to prevent the baptism, saying he needed Jesus to baptize him (Matthew 3:14).
- Jesus said it was "to fulfill all righteousness" (Matthew 3:15), not to confess sin.
- The Father declared himself "well pleased" with Jesus at his baptism (Matthew 3:17).
- The New Testament repeatedly affirms Jesus was without sin (2 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 4:15; 1 Peter 2:22).
Bible passages
- Matthew 3:11-17 John's objection and Jesus' answer.
- Isaiah 53:12 Numbered with the transgressors.
- 2 Corinthians 5:21 "Him who had no sin."
- Hebrews 4:15 Tempted, yet without sin.
- John 8:46 "Can any of you prove me guilty of sin?"
Quotes
“Jesus himself tells us why he must be baptized.”
Tim Barnett, Red Pen Logic / Stand to Reason
Discussion questions
- What hidden assumption does this argument depend on?
- Why did John the Baptist try to stop Jesus from being baptized?
- How does Jesus' baptism show him identifying with the people he came to save?