John the Baptist's Public Ministry (4): The Nature of Christ's Baptism by John (Matthew 3:13-15) by Rev. Angus Stewart
I. The Popular Misconception
II. The Biblical Teaching
III. The Significant Dialogue
Jay E. Adams: "The baptism of John was for sinners. Christ was not a sinner. John's baptism represented repentance for the forgiveness of sin. Jesus Christ could neither repent nor receive forgiveness of sins. This baptism of John was to prepare the way for the Lord by preparing a people ready for Him. Jesus did not need preparation for receiving Himself. The unwillingness of John to baptize Jesus indicates that he considered it an improper thing that Jesus should be classed with the others who came to His baptism. John never changed his mind about this. But something—something that Jesus said—did so change his point of view that he readily baptized the Lord" (The Meaning and Mode of Baptism, p. 16).
James W. Dale: "'The baptism of John' was for sinners; demanding 'repentance,' 'fruits meet for repentance,' and promising 'the remission of sins.' But the Lord Jesus Christ was not a sinner, could not repent of sin, could not bring forth fruit meet for repentance on account of sin, could not receive the remission of sin. Therefore the reception of 'the baptism of John' by Jesus is impossible, untrue, and absurd. Again: The baptism of John was 'to prepare a people for the Lord.' But to address such a baptism to the Lord (preparing the Lord for himself) is absurd. Therefore the reception of John's baptism by the Lord Jesus is impossible, untrue, and absurd. It is just as absurd to suppose that he received this baptism formally but not substantially. A baptism exists only while its essence exists. The essence of John's ritual baptism is found in its symbolization of purification in the soul through repentance and remission of sin. But in the Lord Jesus there was no basis for such symbolization, and consequently there was no basis for the baptism of John. The idea that John's baptism could be received representatively is just as impossible" (Christic Baptism and Patristic Baptism, pp. 27-28).
R. C. H. Lenski on Mark 1:9: "From the Baptist's general work Mark proceeds to the inauguration of Jesus into his office as our Savior."