In light of Matthew 1:1–2:23, Jesus’ decision to go to John to be baptized seems surprising. Having been conceived through the Holy Spirit to save the people from their sins, Jesus is the Immanuel, the promised King from Bethlehem, the Son called out of Egypt—surely the last person you would expect to heed the call of the Baptizer. However, Matthew 3:13 can be translated as follows: When Jesus emerged [publicly], he went from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him.
Going to John to be baptized begins Jesus’ public ministry. Matthew thus stresses that this action is initiated by Jesus, not by John.
In light of the first two chapters of the Gospel of Matthew, this act on the part of Jesus to go to John to be baptized comes across as rather surprising. Jesus, having been conceived through the Holy Spirit to save the people from their sins, is the Immanuel, the promised King from Bethlehem, the Son called out of Egypt. Surely he is the last person you would expect to give heed to the call of the Baptizer1. However, Matthew 3:13 can be translated as follows: When Jesus emerged (publicly), he went from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him.
By going to John to be baptized, Jesus initiated his public ministry2. As such Matthew emphasizes the fact that this is an action wholly initiated by Jesus himself, not by John3.
13 Alors Jésus vint de la Galilée au Jourdain vers Jean, pour être baptisé par lui.