Luke 3:21 (WEB)
Now when all the people were baptized, Jesus also had been baptized and was praying. The sky was opened,
Catechism · 2
In the Fullness of Time
“Jesus prays before the decisive moments of his mission: before his Father's witness to him during his baptism and Transfiguration, and before his own fulfillment of the Father's plan of love by his Passion.” — Catechism footnote: Cf. Lk 3:21; 9:28; 22:41-44.
Jesus Died Crucified
“After agreeing to baptize him along with the sinners, John the Baptist looked at Jesus and pointed him out as the "Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world".” — Catechism footnote: Jn 1:29; cf. Lk 3:21; Mt 3:14-15; Jn 1:36.
Fathers and councils · 26
Augustine of Hippo
“…has told us how, in the days of John’s baptizing, and at the time when the Lord, being then a grown man, was also baptized, Herod was tetrarch of Galilee; whereas Matthew tells us that the boy Jesus returned from Egypt after the death of Herod.” — editor's note: Luke iii. 1–21.
Read the whole comment“But they omit all mention of one circumstance recorded by Matthew, namely, that John addressed the Lord, or that the Lord made answer to John.” — editor's note: Matt. iii. 13-15; Mark i. 9; Luke iii. 21; John i. 32–34.
Read the whole comment“Yet, that the incident referred to here did not, as matter of fact, occur in the order in which it is here recorded, we have already shown elsewhere; and, indeed, Luke himself puts the proof into our hands.” — editor's note: Luke iii. 15–21.
Read the whole comment“For it is most absurd to believe Him to have received the Holy Spirit when He was near thirty years old: for at that age He was baptized by John; but that He came to baptism as without any sin at all, so not without the Holy Spirit.” — editor's note: Luke iii. 21–23
Read the whole comment“Upon Him baptized the heavens opened, and He saw the Spirit descending.” — editor's note: Matt. iii. 16; Mark i. 10; Luke iii. 21, 22.
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Leo the Great
“But the sacrament of baptism He founded in His own person, because “in all things having the pre-eminence,” He taught that He Himself was the Beginning.” — editor's note: Baptismi sui in se condidit sacramentum: the baptism of Christ has very generally been associated with the Epiphany: the record of it, for instance, in S. Luke…
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Catena Aurea on Luke
- Ambrose of MilanCatena Aurea on Luke
In a matter which has been related by others, Luke has rightly given us only a summary, and has left more to be understood than expressed in the fact, that our Lord was baptized by John. As it is said, Now when all…
Read the whole comment - Gregory of NazianzusCatena Aurea on Luke
Christ comes also to baptism perhaps to sanctify baptism, but doubtless to bury the old Adam in water.
Read the whole comment - Ambrose of MilanCatena Aurea on Luke
But the cause of our Lord’s baptism He Himself declares when He says, Thus it becomes us to fulfil all righteousness. But what is righteousness, except that what you would have another do to you, you should first…
Read the whole comment - John ChrysostomCatena Aurea on Luke
Now there was a Jewish baptism which removed the pollutions of the flesh, not the guilt of the conscience; but our baptism parts us from sin, washes the soul, and gives us largely the outpouring of the Spirit. But…
Read the whole comment - BedeCatena Aurea on Luke
Because though all sins are forgiven in baptism, not as yet is the weakness of this fleshly substance made strong. For we rejoice at the overwhelming of the Egyptians having now crossed the Red sea, but in the…
Read the whole comment - John ChrysostomCatena Aurea on Luke
But he says, The heavens opened, as if till then they had been shut. But now the higher and the lower sheep-fold being brought into one, and there being one Shepherd of the sheep, the heavens opened, and man was…
Read the whole comment - BedeCatena Aurea on Luke
For not then were the heavens opened to Him whose eyes scanned the innermost parts of the heaven, but therein is shewn the virtue of baptism, that when a man comes forth from it the gates of the heavenly kingdom are…
Read the whole comment - John ChrysostomCatena Aurea on Luke
The Holy Spirit descended also upon Christ as upon the Founder of our race, that He might be in Christ first of all who received Him not for Himself, but rather for us. Hence it follows: And the Holy Spirit…
Read the whole comment - Augustine of HippoCatena Aurea on Luke
But it is most strange that He should receive the Spirit when He was thirty years old. But as without sin He came to baptism, so not without the Holy Spirit. For if it was written of John, He shall be filled with the…
Read the whole comment - John ChrysostomCatena Aurea on Luke
That baptism savoured partly of antiquity, partly of novelty. For that He should receive baptism from a Prophet shewed antiquity, but the Spirit’s descent denoted something new.
Read the whole comment - Ambrose of MilanCatena Aurea on Luke
Now the Spirit rightly shewed Himself in the form of a dove, for He is not seen in His divine substance. Let us consider the mystery why like a dove? Because the grace of baptism requires innocence, that we should be…
Read the whole comment - John ChrysostomCatena Aurea on Luke
Or to shew the meekness of the Lord, the Spirit now appears in the form of a dove, but at Pentecost like fire, to signify punishment. For when He was about to pardon offences, gentleness was necessary; but having…
Read the whole comment - Cyprian of CarthageCatena Aurea on Luke
the dove is a harmless and pleasant creature, with no bitterness of gall, no fierceness of bite, no violence of rending talons; they love the abodes of men, consort within one home, when they have young nurturing…
Read the whole comment - John ChrysostomCatena Aurea on Luke
Christ indeed had already manifested Himself at His birth by many oracles, but because men would not consult them, He who had in the mean time remained secret, again more clearly revealed Himself in a second birth.…
Read the whole comment - Ambrose of MilanCatena Aurea on Luke
We have seen the Spirit, but in a bodily shape, and the Father whom we cannot see we may hear. He is invisible because He is the Father, the Son also is invisible in His divinity, but He wished to manifest Himself in…
Read the whole comment - Athanasius of AlexandriaCatena Aurea on Luke
The holy Scriptures by the name of Son set forth two meanings; one similar to that spoken of in the Gospel, He gave to them power that they should become the sons of God; another according to which Isaac is the son…
Read the whole comment - Athanasius of AlexandriaCatena Aurea on Luke
But as the prophet had before announced the promise of God, saying, I will send Christ my son, that promise being now as it were accomplished at Jordan, He rightly adds, In thee I am well pleased.
Read the whole comment - BedeCatena Aurea on Luke
As if He said, In Thee have I appointed My good pleasure, i. e. to carry on by Thee what seems good to Me.
Read the whole comment - Gregory the GreatCatena Aurea on Luke
Or else, Every one who by repentance corrects any of his actions, by that very repentance shews that he has displeased himself, seeing he amends what he has done. And since the Omnipotent Father spoke of sinners…
Read the whole comment - Augustine of HippoCatena Aurea on Luke
But the words of Matthew, This is my beloved Son, and those of Luke, Thou art my beloved Son, convey the same meaning; for the heavenly voice spoke one of these. But Matthew wished to shew that by the words, This is…
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Cross-references · 14
Cited together in Catechism §2600.
Cited together in Catechism §2600.
Cited together in Catechism §2600.
Cited together in Catechism §2600.
Cited together in Catechism §2600.
Cited together in Catechism §2600.
Cited together in Catechism §2600.
Cited together in Catechism §2600.
Cited together in Catechism §2600.
Cited together in Catechism §2600.
Cited together in Harmony of the Gospels II.14.
Cited together in Harmony of the Gospels II.14.
Cited together in Harmony of the Gospels II.14.
Cited together in Augustine of Hippo on Luke 3:21–22 (Catena Aurea).