Luke 3:21 - Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible

Bible Comments

Luke 3:21 f. The Baptism of Jesus (Mark 1:9-11 *, Matthew 3:13-17 *). Lk. notes that Jesus was praying (cf. Luke 9:29, Luke 11:1, etc.). In the early Church it was customary immediately after baptism to pray for the gift of the Spirit. Lk. explicitly gives a bodily form to the Spirit, and does not definitely limit the vision to Jesus. Many scholars uphold the reading of Codex Bezæ in Luke 3:22, Thou art my Son: I have begotten thee this day (cf. Psalms 2:7.) If this be the true reading it indicates a belief that Jesus received, as it were, a new soul at the Baptism, or that He then became the Messiah.

Luke 3:21

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