(Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples,)
Read Chapter 4
Cyril of Alexandria
AD 444
Whence our history proceeds to this point, or from what commencement the order of the narrative progressing, introduces the Lord as knowing that the Pharisees had learnt what they enquired, it will not be amiss (it appears) to say. For in that the holy Evangelist saith When therefore the Lord knew, it clearly brings forth a certain declaration of a subject previously under consideration. For He knew all things, without any one telling Him, of Himself, as God, and not at their first coming into existence, but even before they be, as the prophet testified. But He awaiteth the right season for each, and yields rather to the order of things, than to His foreknowledge: for this too was worthy of God-befitting ceconomy.
There being then a question between some of John's disciples and a Jew about purifying, there was much disputing on both sides. For the one taking the part of their own master, were contending that his Baptism was far superior to the legal sprinklings and typical purificat...
St. Chrysostom thinks that this baptism, given by the disciples of Christ, did not at all differ from the baptism of St. John the Baptist; both, in his opinion, being used to prepare the people for Christ; but Alcuin interprets it otherwise. Some will ask, says he, whether the Holy Spirit was given by this baptism, since it is said the Holy Spirit was not yet given because Jesus was not yet glorified? To this we answer: that the Holy Spirit was given, though not in that manifest manner as after the ascension; for as Christ, as man, had always the Holy Spirit residing within him, and yet after his baptism received the Holy Spirit, coming upon him in a visible manner, in the shape of a dove; so before the manifest and public descent of the Holy Spirit, all the saints were his hidden temples. (St. Thomas Aquinas)
John, moreover, brands that man as "a liar "who "denieth that Jesus is the Christ; "whilst on the other hand he declares that "every one is born of God who believeth that Jesus is the Christ.".
"But behold, "say some, "the Lord came, and baptized not; for we read, `And yet He used not to baptize, but His disciples!' "
