John’s recognition that he is the one in need of baptism by Jesus refers to baptism by the Spirit, which John knew Jesus would perform (Matthew 3:11). The focus is not on baptism with water versus with the Spirit, but on the difference in status of the two persons who baptize: John as herald and Jesus as his Lord. This is why John asks Jesus why he comes to him to be baptized, for the only way he could baptize Jesus was if it was the will of the greater to humble himself (as was indeed the case).
Whether or not John knew Jesus as a relative, his ministry in regard to Jesus was not based on that. It was due to divine revelation concerning Jesus (John 1:32–33) that John pointed Jesus out to the crowd as the Messiah. That revelation took place at the baptism, when John also received clarity in this area. His refusal to baptize Jesus was based on personal knowledge (Luke 1:36), but once Jesus was baptized, John had clearer understanding of Christ’s work, and saw that his own task had been accomplished.
John’s recognition that he is the one that needs to be baptized by Jesus refers to baptism by the Holy Spirit, which John knew Jesus would perform (Matthew 3:11). The focus here, however, is not on comparing the two baptisms—baptism with water and baptism with the Spirit—but rather the distinct order of precedence of the two persons who baptize: that is John as the herald and Jesus as the stronger One. This is why John asks Jesus why he comes to him to be baptized. His resistance is understandable, for the only way he could baptize Jesus was if it was the will of the stronger to become the least and thereby humiliate himself, as is indeed the case here.1
Whether or not John knew Jesus as a blood relative, his ministry with respect to Jesus was not based on that familiarity. The Baptist received a divine revelation concerning Jesus (John 1:32–33), and it is on that basis that John pointed Jesus out to the crowd as the Messiah. That revelation took place at the baptism, when John also received certainty and clarity in this regard. His prior refusal to baptize Jesus was based on personal knowledge (Luke 1:36). However, once Jesus had been baptized, John gained a clearer understanding of Christ’s work, and the Baptist now knew that his own task had finally been accomplished.2
14 John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?”