Perry Hall offers this intriguing analysis of the chiastic relationship between the prophecy of the servant (Isaiah 42) and the baptism of Jesus (Matthew 3):
A – “This is My Servant; I strengthen Him, this is My Chosen One; I delight in Him (Is.42:1a).
B – “I have put My Spirit on Him” (Is.42:1b).
C – “He will bring justice to the nations” (Is.42:1c).
C’ – “Allow it for now, because this is the way for us to fulfill all righteousness” (Mt.3:15).
B’ – “The heavens suddenly opened for Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming down on Him (Mt.3:16).
A’ – “This is my beloved Son, I take delight in Him.” (Mt.3:17).
As Hall comments, this sheds particular light on the perennial crux of Matthew 3:15: “To fulfill all righteousness simply means to bring justice to the nations. The baptism of Jesus is not the only act of fulfilling all righteousness, it is simply the beginning (Isaiah 42:4).”
This is also posted at his web site: http://www.perrydox.com/
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