CCC 535

Jesus' public life begins with his baptism by John in the Jordan.²²⁸ Cf. Lk 3:23; Acts 1:22. John preaches "a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins".²²⁹ Lk 3:3[ETML:C/]. A crowd of sinners²³⁰ Cf. Lk 3:10-14; Mt 3:7; 21:32. - tax collectors and soldiers, Pharisees and Sadducees, and prostitutes - come to be baptized by him. "Then Jesus appears." the Baptist hesitates, but Jesus insists and receives baptism. Then the Holy Spirit, in the form of a dove, comes upon Jesus and a voice from heaven proclaims, "This is my beloved Son."²³¹ Mt 3:13-17. This is the manifestation ("Epiphany") of Jesus as Messiah of Israel and Son of God.