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Objection 1: It would seem that John's baptism should have ceased
after Christ was baptized. For it is written (Jn. 1:31):
"That He may be made manifest in Israel, therefore am I come
baptizing in water." But when Christ had been baptized, He was
made sufficiently manifest, both by the testimony of John and by the
dove coming down upon Him, and again by the voice of the Father
bearing witness to Him. Therefore it seems that John's baptism
should not have endured thereafter.
Objection 2: Further, Augustine says (Super Joan., Tract.
iv): "Christ was baptized, and John's baptism ceased to avail."
Therefore it seems that, after Christ's baptism, John should not
have continued to baptize.
Objection 3: Further, John's baptism prepared the way for
Christ's. But Christ's baptism began as soon as He had been
baptized; because "by the touch of His most pure flesh He endowed
the waters with a regenerating virtue," as Bede asserts (Mag.
Sent. iv, 3). Therefore it seems that John's baptism ceased
when Christ had been baptized.
On the contrary, It is written (Jn. 3:22,23): "Jesus .
. . came into the land of Judea . . . and baptized: and John
also was baptizing." But Christ did not baptize before being
baptized. Therefore it seems that John continued to baptize after
Christ had been baptized.
I answer that, It was not fitting for the baptism of John to cease
when Christ had been baptized. First, because, as Chrysostom says
(Hom. xxix in Joan.), "if John had ceased to baptize" when
Christ had been baptized, "men would think that he was moved by
jealousy or anger." Secondly, if he had ceased to baptize when
Christ baptized, "he would have given His disciples a motive for yet
greater envy." Thirdly, because, by continuing to baptize, "he
sent his hearers to Christ" (Hom. xxix in Joan.). Fourthly,
because, as Bede [Scot. Erig. Comment. in Joan.] says,
"there still remained a shadow of the Old Law: nor should the
forerunner withdraw until the truth be made manifest."
Reply to Objection 1: When Christ was baptized, He was not as
yet fully manifested: consequently there was still need for John to
continue baptizing.
Reply to Objection 2: The baptism of John ceased after Christ had
been baptized, not immediately, but when the former was cast into
prison. Thus Chrysostom says (Hom. xxix in Joan.): "I
consider that John's death was allowed to take place, and that
Christ's preaching began in a great measure after John had died, so
that the undivided allegiance of the multitude was transferred to
Christ, and there was no further motive for the divergence of opinions
concerning both of them."
Reply to Objection 3: John's baptism prepared the way not only for
Christ to be baptized, but also for others to approach to Christ's
baptism: and this did not take place as soon as Christ was baptized.
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