When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as He was praying, heaven was opened,
The evangelist mentioned John's imprisonment before Christ's being baptized, though it was nearly a year after it, because he would finish the story of John's ministry, and then introduce that of Christ. Now here we have, I. A short account of Christ's baptism, which had been more fully related by St. Matthew. Jesus came, to be baptized of John, and he was so, Luk 3:21, Luk 3:22. 1.
Commenting on Luke 3:21-38
And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape,.... In a corporeal form, in a visible manner, and was seen with bodily eyes, at least by John the administrator; to whom this was a signal of his being the Messiah, and a fresh confirmation of it: like a dove upon him; either in the form of a dove, or this corporeal form, whatever it was...
Verse 21. ; ; Jesus being baptized; or, Jesus having been baptized. This took place after the baptism, and not during its administration, . Praying. This circumstance is omitted by the other evangelists; and it shows, 1st. That Jesus was in the habit of prayer. 2nd. That it is proper to offer up special prayer at the administration of the ordinances of religion. 3rd.