Who baptized Jesus?

Who baptized Jesus? John the Baptist baptized Jesus. The event is described in Matthew, Mark, and Luke, which portray John performing the baptism in the Jordan River. It marks the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry and is followed by the Spirit descending like a dove and a heavenly voice identifying Jesus as God’s beloved Son.

John’s baptism was associated with repentance and preparation for God’s coming kingdom. Jesus’ participation has therefore prompted theological discussion: the Gospel accounts present it not as a confession of personal sin, but as an act that inaugurates his mission and publicly connects him with John’s movement.

The Gospel of John does not directly narrate Jesus’ baptism, although it presents John witnessing the Spirit descend upon Jesus. Christian art and tradition commonly locate the event near Bethany beyond the Jordan, identified by many with Al-Maghtas in present-day Jordan.

A common mix-up is confusing John the Baptist with the apostle John. They are different figures: John the Baptist was a prophetic preacher and relative of Jesus in Christian tradition, while the apostle John was one of Jesus’ disciples.