Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him.
Ver. 13. Then cometh Jesus from Galilee] Our Saviour came far to seek his baptism. Let not us think much of any pains taken, that we may partake of the ordinances. The Shunammite went (ordinarily) every sabbath and new moon, on horseback, to hear the prophet, 2 Kings 4:23. The good people in David's time "passed through the valley of Baca,"Psalms 84:6, from strength to strength, to see the face of God in Sion, though but in that dark glass of the ceremonies. And in Daniel's time they ran to and fro "to increase knowledge," Daniel 12:4. In Zechariah's days the inhabitants of one city went to another, saying, "Let us go speedily to pray before the Lord, and to seek the Lord of hosts: I will go also," Zechariah 8:21. Our Saviour took it ill that men came not as far to hear him as the queen of Sheba did to hear Solomon, Matthew 12:42. The eunuch came as far to worship in the temple, Acts 8:27. And of our forefathers in King Henry VIII's time Mr Foxe saith thus: "To see their travels, earnest seeking, burning zeal, readings, watchings, sweet assemblies, love, concord, godly living, faithful marrying with the faithful, may make us now in these our days of free profession to blush for shame. George Eagles, martyr in Queen Mary's days, for his great pains in travelling from place to place to confirm the brethren, was surnamed, ‘Trudge over the world.'" (Acts and Mon.)
To be baptized of him] Not for any need he had (for he was a Lamb without blemish of natural corruption, and without spot of actual transgression, 1Pe 1:19), but merely for our benefit, to sanctify baptism to us, and to grace his own ordinance for us.