Tim Maas Supporter Retired Quality Assurance Specialist with the U.S. Army

Since the Bible says that, after Jesus was baptized, He came up out of the water (indicating to me that he had been completely in the Jordan River) -- coupled with the fact that the purpose of the imagery of baptism is to symbolize death, burial, and resurrection or rebirth (as represented by the immersion and subsequent raising of the person being baptized) -- I would take that as an indication that Jesus' baptism would have involved immersion, rather than some alternate possible applications of the water, such as pouring or sprinkling.

April 20 2020 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jeffrey Johnson Supporter

Was Jesus immersed at his baptism?
Mark 1:9-10

ESV - 9 "In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptised by John in the Jordan. 10 And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove."

Yes, biblical accounts suggest Jesus was immersed (dunked) at his baptism in the Jordan River, as the text states he "came up out of the water," indicating he went down into it, with immersion being the common practice of John the Baptist symbolising repentance and cleansing. However, some argue for pouring or sprinkling, the primary imagery points to submersion. 

Meaning of "Baptise": The Greek word "baptizo" (from which baptism comes) generally means to dip, immerse, or submerge.

The Gospels of Matthew and Mark state that after being baptised, Jesus "came up out of the water" (Matthew 3:16; Mark 1:10), implying that he had been fully immersed.

Mark 1:10 ESV - "And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens rent asunder, and the Spirit as a dove descending upon him."

Also, the Gospel writer Matthew reports: "After being baptised, Jesus immediately came up from the water; and, look! The heavens were opened up, and [John the Baptizer] saw descending like a dove God's Spirit coming upon [Jesus]."

Jesus came up out of the water after being baptised. This clearly indicates that he was immersed in water. (Mark 1:9, 10) In fact, nothing else would be a baptism, for the Greek word rendered "baptise" means to "dip, plunge."​—Acts 8:36-39.

2 days ago • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report