When Jesus came to be baptized, John recognized in Him a purity of character that he had never before perceived in any man. The very atmosphere of His presence was holy and awe-inspiring. Among the multitudes that had gathered about him at the Jordan, John had heard dark tales of crime, and had met souls bowed down with the burden of myriad sins; but never had he come in contact with a human being from whom there breathed an influence so divine. All this was in harmony with what had been revealed to John regarding the Messiah. Yet he shrank from granting the request of Jesus. How could he, a sinner, baptize the Sinless One? And why should He who needed no repentance submit to a rite that was a confession of guilt to be washed away?

Da Jesus kom for at blive døbt, så Johannes hos ham en sindets renhed, som han aldrig før havde opdaget hos noget menneske. Endog den luft, der omgav ham, var hellig og ærefrygtindgydende. Blandt de skarer, som havde flokkedes om ham ved Jordan, havde Johannes hørt uhyggelige beretninger om forbrydelser og havde truffet sjæle, der var tyngede af mange synders byrde; men aldrig havde han været i berøring med et menneske, fra hvem der udstrålede en så guddommelig påvirkning. Alt dette stemmede sammen med det, som var blevet åbenbaret for Johannes med hensyn til Messias. Men alligevel veg han tilbage for at opfylde Jesu bøn. Hvordan skulle han, som var en synder, kunne døbe ham, som var uden synd? Og hvorfor skulle han, som ikke behøvede nogen omvendelse, underkaste sig en ceremoni, som var en bekendelse af skyld, der måtte tvættes af?