But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?
Ver. 14. But John forbade him] Flatly forbade him, and kept him out of the water with both hands earnestly; a not out of disobedience, but reverence, though faulty and erroneous. The very best have their blemishes. Omnibus malis Punicis inest granum putre, dixit Crates: and the fairest apple tree may have a fit of barrenness. But for involuntary infirmities, and those of daily incursion, there is a pardon of course, if sued out. And although Satan stood at the right hand of Joshua the high priest, because (as some will have it) his accusation was as true as vehement, and so Satan seemed to have the upper hand of him; yea, although he was so ill clothed, yet he stood before the angel. Christ did not abhor his presence, nor reject his service, Zec 3:2
I have need to be baptized of thee] There can be no flesh without filthiness, as a grave divine noteth upon this text (Dr Hall). Neither the supernatural conception nor austere life of John could exempt him from need of baptism.
And comest thou to me?] Amica συρραξες, a friendly falling out, but quickly made up. Most of our jarrings grow from mistakes. "Be swift to hear, slow to wrath;" easily satisfied. Not like glasses, which being once broken, cannot be pieced again.
" Quae modo pugnarant iungunt sua rostra columbae. " Ovid.
a διεκωλυεν, obnixe prohibebat, ad vim praepositionis δια exprimendam.