Fathers

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What the Fathers say

Mark 1:9

Eastern Fathers

Theophylact of Ohrid

Jesus does not come to baptism for the remission of sins, for He committed no sin, nor for the receiving of the Holy Spirit, for how could John's baptism bestow the Spirit when it did not cleanse sins, as I have said? Nor does He go to be baptized for repentance, since He was "greater than the Baptist himself" (Matt. 11:11). So then, why does He come? Without doubt, so that John might proclaim Him to the people. …

Commentary on Mark ↗

Western Saints

Bede

And it came to pass in those days, etc. The Savior received baptism from John for three reasons. First, because He was born a man, He might fulfill all righteousness and humility of the law. Second, that by His baptism He might approve the baptism of John. Third, that sanctifying the water of Jordan, through the descent of the dove, He might show the coming of the Holy Spirit in the washing of believers.

On the Gospel of Mark ↗