Bridging the Testaments: The Fulfillment of Old Testament Scripture in Matthew 3:15
“But Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.’ Then he allowed Him.”
Righteousness: The moral and spiritual integrity Jesus embodies, fulfilling God’s divine law.
Fulfillment: Jesus’ actions align with and complete Old Testament prophecies.
Obedience: Christ’s willingness to submit to God’s plan, even in circumstances that appear unnecessary (baptism) for Him personally.
Old Testament Scriptures with Similar Themes
Isaiah 42:1: “Behold! My Servant whom I uphold, My Elect One in whom My soul delights! I have put My Spirit upon Him; He will bring forth justice to the Gentiles.”
God’s chosen Servant who fulfills divine justice, a parallel to Christ fulfilling righteousness.
Psalm 40:7-8: “Then I said, ‘Behold, I come; in the scroll of the book it is written of me. I delight to do Your will, O my God, and Your law is within my heart.'”
Obedience and commitment to God’s will, reflecting Jesus’ mission to complete all righteousness.
Deuteronomy 6:25: “Then it will be righteousness for us, if we are careful to observe all these commandments before the Lord our God, as He has commanded us.”
Righteousness connected with obedience to God’s Law, which Christ perfectly embodies and fulfills.
How Matthew 3:15 Reflects and Fulfills Old Testament Scriptures
Matthew 3:15 illustrates Jesus’ active role in bringing Old Testament prophecies and the Law to their intended fulfillment. By agreeing to baptism, despite His sinlessness, Jesus models ultimate obedience and submission to God’s will, linking Himself to the prophecies of a righteous servant (Isaiah 42:1). His fulfillment of “all righteousness” points to the culmination of the Law’s demands and the establishment of the new covenant, bridging Old Testament prophecy with New Testament realization.
Scholars emphasize that Jesus’ baptism wasn’t about personal repentance but symbolized His solidarity with humanity and His acceptance of God’s mission to save them. In this, Jesus “fulfills all righteousness,” meaning He completes God’s redemptive work, which was anticipated throughout the Old Testament. Jesus’ actions are viewed as the bridge between the promises in the Old Testament and their realization in the New Testament.
Meaning of Keywords
Righteousness: Moral alignment with God’s law, reflecting justice, purity, and divine purpose. For Jesus, righteousness refers to His role in enacting God’s redemptive plan.
Fulfill: To bring to completion or perfection. Jesus fulfills the Law and the Prophets by embodying and completing their intended purpose.
Application for Today’s Christians
Matthew 3:15 calls Christians to view righteousness as more than just moral behavior. It involves complete obedience to God’s will, as modeled by Christ. Jesus’ willingness to fulfill all righteousness, even when it didn’t seem necessary from a human perspective, encourages believers today to follow God’s plan, trusting in His wisdom and timing. This verse teaches that righteousness is relational and active, not merely about avoiding sin but about pursuing God’s purpose with full commitment.