Fathers

Loading…

What the Fathers say

Matthew 3:15

Eastern Fathers

John Chrysostom

And he said not, "And art Thou baptized of me?" nay, for this he feared to say: but what? "And comest Thou to me?" What then doth Christ? What He did afterwards with respect to Peter, this did He then also. For so he too would have forbidden Him to wash his feet, but when he had heard, "What I do thou knowest not now, but thou shalt know hereafter," and "thou hast no part with me," he speedily withdrew from his determination, and went over to the contrary. …

Homily on the Gospel of Matthew 12 ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

And Jesus answering said unto him, Let it be so now. Permit it now, He says. For there will be a time for us to have the glory that is befitting, even if we do not appear in such glory now. For thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness. "Righteousness" means the law. Human nature was accursed, Jesus says, because it was not able to fulfill the law. Therefore I have fulfilled all the other requirements of the law. One thing remains for Me to do, that I be baptized. …

Commentary on Matthew ↗

Western Saints

Ambrose of Milan

Also like a wise master inculcating His doctrines as much by His own practice, as by word of mouth, He did that which He commanded all His disciples to do.

Catena Aurea by Aquinas ↗

Jerome

Beautifully said is that now, to show that as Christ was baptized with water by John, so John must be baptized by Christ with the Spirit. Or, suffer now that I who have taken the form of a servant should fulfil all that low estate; otherwise know that in the day of judgment thou must be baptized with my baptism. …

Catena Aurea by Aquinas ↗

Hilary of Poitiers

For by Him must all righteousness have been fulfilled, by whom alone the Law could be fulfilled.

Catena Aurea by Aquinas ↗