MAT 3:15 Parallel Verse View

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Text critical issues=small word differences Clarity of original=clear Importance to us=normal (All still tentative.)

Key: khaki:verbs, light-green:nominative/subject, orange:accusative/object, cyan:dative/indirect object.
Note: Automatic aligning of the OET-RV to the LV is done by some temporary software, hence the RV alignments are incomplete (and may occasionally be wrong).

ULT But answering, Jesus said to him, “Permit it now, for in this way it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he permits him.

UST Jesus answered him, “Please baptize me at this time. When you do, you and I will be acting appropriately by doing what God requires.” After Jesus said that, John agreed to baptize him.

BSB “Let [it] be so now,” Jesus replied. “It is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness in this way.” Then [John] permitted Him.

BLB But Jesus answering, said unto him, "Permit it presently; for thus it is fitting to us to fulfill all righteousness." Then he permits Him.

AICNT But Jesus answered {and said to him},[fn] “Allow it now, for in this way it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he allowed him.

3:15, and said to him: Some manuscripts read “him and said.” (missing πρὸς) 𝔓96 B(03)

OEB ‘This is the way it should be for now,’ Jesus answered, ‘because we should do everything that God requires.’ So John agreed.

WEBBE But Jesus, answering, said to him, “Allow it now, for this is the fitting way for us to fulfil all righteousness.” Then he allowed him.

WMBB But Yeshua, answering, said to him, “Allow it now, for this is the fitting way for us to fulfil all righteousness.” Then he allowed him.

NET So Jesus replied to him, “Let it happen now, for it is right for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John yielded to him.

LSV But Jesus answering said to him, “Permit [it] now, for thus it is fitting to us to fulfill all righteousness,” then he permits Him.

FBV “Please do so, because it's good for us to do what God says is right,” Jesus told him. So John agreed to do it.

TCNT But Jesus answered him, “Permit it for now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John permitted him.

T4T But Jesus said to him, “Baptize me at this time, because in this way we two will do everything that God requires.” Then John consented to baptize him.

LEB But Jesus answered and[fn] said to him, “Permit it now, for in this way it is right for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he permitted him.

3:15 *Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“answered”) has been translated as a finite verb

BBE But Jesus made answer, saying to him, Let it be so now: because so it is right for us to make righteousness complete. Then he gave him baptism.

Moff But Jesus answered him, "Come now, this is how we should fulfil all our duty to God." Then John gave in to him.

Wymth "Let it be so on this occasion," Jesus replied; "for so we ought to fulfil every religious duty." Then he consented;

ASV But Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffereth him.

DRA And Jesus answering, said to him: Suffer it to be so now. For so it becometh us to fulfill all justice. Then he suffered him.

YLT But Jesus answering said to him, 'Suffer now, for thus it is becoming to us to fulfil all righteousness,' then he doth suffer him.

Drby But Jesus answering said to him, Suffer [it] now; for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffers him.

RV But Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it now: for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness. Then he suffereth him.
(But Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it now: for thus it becometh/becomes us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffereth/suffers him. )

SLT And Jesus having answered said to him, Permit now; for so it is suitable for us to complete all justice: then he permitted him.

Wbstr And Jesus answering said to him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness. Then he suffered him.

KJB-1769 And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.
(And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh/becomes us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him. )

KJB-1611 And Iesus answering, said vnto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becommeth vs to fulfill all righteousnesse. Then he suffered him.
(Modernised spelling is same as from KJB-1769 above, apart from punctuation)

Bshps Iesus aunsweryng, sayde vnto hym: Suffer it to be so nowe. For thus it becommeth vs, to fulfyll all righteousnes. Then he suffred hym.
(Yesus/Yeshua answering, said unto him: Suffer it to be so now. For thus it becometh/becomes us, to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.)

Gnva Then Iesus answering, saide to him, Let be nowe: for thus it becommeth vs to fulfill all righteousnes. So he suffered him.
(Then Yesus/Yeshua answering, said to him, Let be now: for thus it becometh/becomes us to fulfil all righteousness. So he suffered him. )

Cvdl Iesus answered & sayd vnto hym: Let it be so now. For thus it be commeth vs to fulfyll all righteousnes. Then he suffred hym.
(Yesus/Yeshua answered and said unto him: Let it be so now. For thus it be cometh/comes us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.)

TNT Iesus answered and sayd to hym: Let it be so now. For thus it becommeth vs to fulfyll all rightwesnes. Then he suffred hym.
(Yesus/Yeshua answered and said to him: Let it be so now. For thus it becometh/becomes us to fulfil all rightwesnes. Then he suffered him. )

Wycl But Jhesus answeride, and seide to hym, Suffre nowe, for thus it fallith to vs to fulfille al riytfulnesse.
(But Yhesus answered, and said to him, Suffer now, for thus it fallith to us to fulfille all rightfulness/righteousness.)

Luth JEsus aber antwortete und sprach zu ihm: Laß jetzt also sein; also gebührt es uns, alle Gerechtigkeit zu erfüllen. Da ließ er‘s ihm zu.
(Yesus but replied and spoke to/for him: Let now/currently also be; also deserves it us/to_us/ourselves, all justice to/for fulfill. So left/let he's him to/for.)

ClVg Respondens autem Jesus, dixit ei: Sine modo: sic enim decet nos implere omnem justitiam. Tunc dimisit eum.[fn]
(Respondens however Yesus, he/she_said to_him: Sine just/only: so because proper/it_is_fitting us to_fill all justice. Then released him. )

3.15 Sine modo. Sine modo me a te baptizari, ut postea quod a me quæris in spiritu baptizeris. Sicut enim decet dare exemplum implendæ omnis justitiæ, ut discant omnes neminem sine unda baptismi esse perfectum. Tunc dimisit. Cum tali ordine cognovisset implendam justitiam. Dimisit, quia vere est humilitas, quam non deserit comes obedientia. Spiritus in momento eum docuit, quod prius nescivit et ideo quod prius timuit humiliter, devotus implevit.

3.15 Sine just/only. Sine just/only me from you(sg) baptizari, as afterwards that from me whichris in/into/on in_spirit baptizeris. Like because proper/it_is_fitting dare exemplum implendæ everyone justice, as let_them_learn everyone no_one without unda baptism to_be perfect. Then released. Since such in_order I_knewsset implendam justice. Dimisit, because really/truly it_is humility, how not/no abandons comes obedience. Spirit in/into/on moment him taught, that first/before nescivit and therefore/for_that_reason that first/before was_afraid humbly, devotus he_fulfilled.

UGNT ἀποκριθεὶς δὲ ὁ Ἰησοῦς εἶπεν πρὸς αὐτόν, ἄφες ἄρτι; οὕτως γὰρ πρέπον ἐστὶν ἡμῖν πληρῶσαι πᾶσαν δικαιοσύνην. τότε ἀφίησιν αὐτόν.
(apokritheis de ho Yaʸsous eipen pros auton, afes arti; houtōs gar prepon estin haʸmin plaʸrōsai pasan dikaiosunaʸn. tote afiaʸsin auton.)

SBL-GNT ἀποκριθεὶς δὲ ὁ Ἰησοῦς εἶπεν ⸂πρὸς αὐτόν⸃· Ἄφες ἄρτι, οὕτως γὰρ πρέπον ἐστὶν ἡμῖν πληρῶσαι πᾶσαν δικαιοσύνην. τότε ἀφίησιν αὐτόν.
(apokritheis de ho Yaʸsous eipen ⸂pros auton⸃; Afes arti, houtōs gar prepon estin haʸmin plaʸrōsai pasan dikaiosunaʸn. tote afiaʸsin auton.)

RP-GNT Ἀποκριθεὶς δὲ ὁ Ἰησοῦς εἶπεν πρὸς αὐτόν, Ἄφες ἄρτι· οὕτως γὰρ πρέπον ἐστὶν ἡμῖν πληρῶσαι πᾶσαν δικαιοσύνην. Τότε ἀφίησιν αὐτόν.
(Apokritheis de ho Yaʸsous eipen pros auton, Afes arti; houtōs gar prepon estin haʸmin plaʸrōsai pasan dikaiosunaʸn. Tote afiaʸsin auton.)

TC-GNT Ἀποκριθεὶς δὲ ὁ Ἰησοῦς εἶπε [fn]πρὸς αὐτόν, Ἄφες ἄρτι· οὕτω γὰρ πρέπον ἐστὶν ἡμῖν πληρῶσαι πᾶσαν δικαιοσύνην. Τότε ἀφίησιν αὐτόν.
(Apokritheis de ho Yaʸsous eipe pros auton, Afes arti; houtō gar prepon estin haʸmin plaʸrōsai pasan dikaiosunaʸn. Tote afiaʸsin auton. )

3:15 προς αυτον ¦ αυτω WH

Key for above GNTs: yellow:punctuation differs, red:words differ (from our SR-GNT base).

SOTN SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 3:13–17: John baptized Jesus

In this section, Jesus came to John the Baptist and asked John to baptize him. John thought that the man who was greater (Jesus) should baptize the man who was not as great (John). This is why John at first did not think that it was right for him to baptize Jesus. But Jesus said that it was the right thing at that time. So John agreed to do it.

Here are some other possible headings for this section:

The Baptism of Jesus (NIV)

Jesus is Baptized by John (NCV)

John baptizes Jesus (GW)

There are parallel passages for this section in Mark 1:9–11 and Luke 3:21–22.

3:15a

“Let it be so now,” Jesus replied.

¶ But Jesus answered, “Allow/permit it at this time,
¶ But Jesus said, “On this occasion, let us^(dual/incl) do it like this. You^(sing) will baptize me,

There is a contrast between 3:14 and 3:15. The contrast is between John trying to prevent the baptism and Jesus telling him to allow it. Some English versions show this contrast with the conjunction “But” (ESV). However, the BSB and some other English versions do not explicitly show the contrast.

Let it be so now: In this context, the Greek word that the BSB translates as Let it be so refers to permitting something to happen. John had tried to prevent the baptism (3:14a). But Jesus told him to allow it.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

Permit it at this time (NASB)

For now this is how it should be (CEV)

now: In this context, the word now indicates that that particular moment in time was the right time for John to baptize Jesus.

Here is another way to translate this word:

at this time (NASB)

Jesus replied: The Greek word that the BSB translates as replied sometimes introduces an answer to a question. In this passage, it introduces a response to a rhetorical question, not a real question.

The BSB places the words Jesus replied at the end of what Jesus said. This is good English style. However, in some languages, it may be more natural to follow the Greek and place these words at the beginning of the sentence. For example:

But Jesus answered him… (ESV)

If you translated 3:14c as a question, you may want to use a word here meaning “answered.” But if you translated it as a statement, you may need to use a different word meaning something like “said” or “stated.”

3:15b

“It is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness in this way.”

because it is proper/correct for us^(dual/incl) to do this baptism in order to do/accomplish God’s will.”
because this baptism is the right thing for us^(dual/incl) to do in order to do the righteous/good things that God wants us to do.”

The Greek of 3:15b begins with a conjunction that is often translated as “for.” It introduces the basis for Jesus’ command in 3:15a. The BSB omits this conjunction. Here is another way to translate this conjunction:

because (CEV)

In some languages, it will be more natural to put 3:15b before 3:15a. For example:

^15bIt is proper for us to do this in order to do what God wants. ^15aSo for now, let it be so.

It is fitting for us: The word fitting refers to something being morally right or correct. It was proper or correct for John to baptize Jesus.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

it is right for us (NET)

we must do (CEV)

it is proper for us (NIV)

to fulfill all righteousness: The phrase to fulfill all righteousness indicates that when John baptized Jesus, they would accomplish God’s will. The word righteousness refers here to doing the right/good things that God requires. It was God’s will at that moment for John to baptize Jesus, and it was God’s will for Jesus to undergo John’s baptism.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

do all that God requires (GNT)

to do the right/good things that God wants

This phrase probably refers only to the baptism. It does not refer to all the things that God wanted Jesus to do. Your translation should not indicate a general reference for all time.

in this way: The Greek word that the BSB translates as in this way can also be translated as “thus” or “this.” For example:

it is proper for us to do this (NIV)

This is the proper way to do everything that God requires of us. (GW)

General Comment on 3:15a–b

Verse 3:15a–b is a direct quote. In some languages, it is more natural to translate this as an indirect quote. For example:

^15aBut Jesus told him to allow it at that time ^15bbecause it was proper for them to do it in order to do what God wanted them to do.

3:15c

Then John permitted Him.

Then John agreed/accepted.
When John heard this, he agreed to baptize Jesus.

Then John permitted Him: The word permitted indicates that John agreed or accepted. For example:

So John agreed (GNT)

It is implied that John agreed to baptize Jesus. In some languages, it may be natural to make this information explicit. For example:

So John agreed to baptize Jesus (NCV)

So John accepted to baptize Jesus

UTN uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: writing-quotations

ἀποκριθεὶς & ὁ Ἰησοῦς εἶπεν πρὸς αὐτόν

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: ἀποκριθείς Δέ ὁ Ἰησοῦς εἶπεν πρός αὐτόν Ἄφες ἄρτι οὕτως γάρ πρέπον ἐστίν ἡμῖν πληρῶσαι πασᾶν δικαιοσύνην Τότε ἀφίησιν αὐτόν)

Consider natural ways of introducing direct quotations in your language. Alternate translation: [Jesus responded]

Note 2 topic: grammar-connect-logic-result

ἄφες ἄρτι; οὕτως γὰρ πρέπον ἐστὶν ἡμῖν πληρῶσαι πᾶσαν δικαιοσύνην

If it would be more natural in your language, you could reverse the order of these clauses, since the second clause gives the reason for the request that the first clause describes. Alternate translation: [Baptizing me is a fitting way for us to fulfill all righteousness. So, permit it now]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

ἄφες & ἀφίησιν αὐτόν

In both places, Matthew implies that John should or does permit Jesus to be baptized. You could include this information if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: [Permit me to be baptized … he permitted him to be baptized]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / yousingular

ἄφες

Since Jesus is speaking to John, the command Permit is singular here.

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / exclusive

ἡμῖν

˱to˲_us

Here, the word us refers only to Jesus and John. Your language may require you to mark this form.

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / idiom

πληρῶσαι πᾶσαν δικαιοσύνην

˓to˒_fulfill (Some words not found in SR-GNT: ἀποκριθείς Δέ ὁ Ἰησοῦς εἶπεν πρός αὐτόν Ἄφες ἄρτι οὕτως γάρ πρέπον ἐστίν ἡμῖν πληρῶσαι πασᾶν δικαιοσύνην Τότε ἀφίησιν αὐτόν)

The phrase to fulfill all righteousness means to do everything that God requires someone to do. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a comparable phrase or plain language. Alternate translation: [to accomplish God’s will] or [to do everything that God has told us to do]

Note 7 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

πᾶσαν δικαιοσύνην

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of righteousness, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: [everything that is righteous] or [all of God’s righteous will]

Note 8 topic: writing-pronouns

ἀφίησιν αὐτόν

˱he˲_˓is˒_allowing him

Here, the word he refers to John, and the word him refers to Jesus. If this is not clear for your readers, you could use the people’s names here. Alternate translation: [John permits Jesus]

Parallel MAT 3:15

Section 3:13–17: John baptized Jesus

3:15a

3:15b

General Comment on 3:15a–b

3:15c