Luke 3:21

Translations

Modern

When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as He was praying, heaven was opened,

Traditional

Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened,

Literal

Now it came to pass, in all the people having been baptized and Jesus having been baptized and praying, that heaven was opened,

Latin

Factum est autem cum baptizaretur omnis populus, et Jesu baptizato, et orante, apertum est cælum:

Original

Greek

English

When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as He was praying, heaven was opened,

Notes

Luke 3:21

And as He was praying: Luke shows that Jesus trusted God and depended on him through prayer (5:16; 6:12; 9:18, 28; 11:1; 22:32, 41, 44; 23:34, 46).
heaven was opened: This image was a sign of
- God’s presence (Isaiah 64:1),
- divine revelation (Ezekiel 1:1; John 1:51), and
- the end of an age (a major period in God’s plan; Revelation 4:1; 15:5; 19:11).

Luke 3:21–22

The baptism of Jesus marked the beginning of his public ministry and his anointing as the Christ (the Messiah, the one chosen and set apart by God). God spoke from heaven and confirmed who Jesus is and the mission he came to do.

Theme notes and profiles

John the Baptist Baptism Jesus’ Prayers The Coming of the Spirit of God

Events

John Baptizes Jesusc. AD 26

Related verses

John 1:32–34
Then John testified, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove and resting on Him.
Matthew 3:13–17
At that time Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John.
Mark 1:9–11
In those days Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan.
Luke 5:16
Yet He frequently withdrew to the wilderness to pray.
John 12:27–28
Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? No, it is for this purpose that I have come to this hour.
Matthew 14:23
After He had dismissed them, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. When evening came, He was there alone,
Luke 9:28–29
About eight days after Jesus had said these things, He took with Him Peter, John, and James, and went up on a mountain to pray.
Luke 9:18
One day as Jesus was praying in private and the disciples were with Him, He questioned them: “Who do the crowds say I am?”

Parallels

Matthew 3:13–17 Mark 1:9–11 John 1:29–34

People

Jesus: The Son of God and Savior of the world

Glossary

Baptism of Jesus Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Genealogy Jesus Christ John the Baptist Luke, Gospel of

Topics

Baptism: John's Baptism: Sanctioned by Christ's Submission to It Jesus, the Christ: Is Immersed by John in the Jordan River Jesus, the Christ: Prayers of John: Baptizes Jesus

Luke 3:21

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